Should I buy a GF4 or Upgrade To a AthlonXP 2000+?

[Bowen]

Ok guys...I have $400 to spend. Should I upgrade to a GF4 4400 or 4600 ( I think the 4400 is just fine though ) or upgrade my system to a Athlon XP 2000+ and an Abit KR7A-133 mobo? I currently have an Athlon 1.33 GHz (T-bird core) and an Iwill KA266-R mobo with a GF3 64 meg card. I was thinking that the smarter move would be to update the proc and mobo and upgrade the vid card later this year.....but the same could be said for the proc and mobo since the AMD ClawHammer will come out at the end of this year but I really don't want to wait until December to upgrade my proc and mobo.
Note....I don't play games all the time but I do go in spurts where I play for a couple of months but I'm curious to see what others would do.

 

[John]

You should have "save my money" as an option to choose. That's what I think you should do.

 

[zzzz]

John is right. I am not going to argue with him.

 

[Bowen]

<< You should have "save my money" as an option to choose. That's what I think you should do. >>



I've got a better idea...how about....you give me another $400 and then my problem is solved!!

 

[Yossarian]

There is no reason for you to upgrade anything, your system already has 92.71% of the power of a cost-is-no-object-top-of-the-line system. If you really must, go for the video card.

 

[Odoacer]

I agree. Your system is PLENTY powerful. Save it for your new 10 ghz clawhammer/geforce 10 rig!!!

 

[JellyBaby]

In your situation I would also save and wait.

 

[Budman]

1 more vote for save & wait.

 

[Bowen]

Thanx guys....but I can't save for two reasons. One, I'm too impatient to wait and two and probably most importantly...my wife will spend it if you know what I mean. Since I have an Athlon 1.33 with the T-bird core and a GF3 (no Ti or MX just the first line of them) I would think that getting an Athlon XP 2000+ and a Abit KR7A-133 mobo together would add to FPS in games and it would add to the overall computing experience right? Sure the GF4 4600 would give the best overall FPS but it would not do anything else besides 3D. My Iwill KA266-R is not the fastest mobo in the world that's for sure. Of course I would like both, but I can't get both and can only choose one and if I wait the money will disappear. You know how things suddenly come up when you have a little extra cash and I'm not talking about myself spending the money either. I really want to ClawHammer but I think it would be wise to wait until they have been out a while in case there are some bugs ya know. That's not to say that if they were out right now and I could afford them, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[Boogak]

<< your system already has 92.71% of the power of a cost-is-no-object-top-of-the-line system >>


Interesting, my calculations are 92.76%. Neverthelss, I vote save and wait too...

 

[Bowen]

<< There is no reason for you to upgrade anything, your system already has 92.71% of the power of a cost-is-no-object-top-of-the-line system. If you really must, go for the video card. >>



PipBoy, what would you say would be the gain by a 1.67 GHz Athlon XP vs. my 1.33 GHz proc. I know the Athlon XP sports Intel's SSE plus some other instructions too but I'm wondering what that would translate into performance in the real world. I guess what I'm asking is....would I see a difference in performance from the 2000+ from what I have now? If anyone else wants to comment...feel free please.

 

[Aquaman]

<< You should have "save my money" as an option to choose. That's what I think you should do. >>



What John Said

You can use the money for the next big upgrade.......... GF5 or whatever really kicks the crap out of you T-bird 1.33

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Siddhartha]

It sounds like you really want to upgrade something. If you can wait a month or so go with a Tbred, if you can not wait go with the GF4.

 

[Bowen]

Well I've looked at my options and this is what I've decided. I'm going to buy the GF4 4400 128 megs, keep my mobo but it will upgrade to a Athlon XP 1900+. I can have my cake and eat it too! I really appreciate the input. Even if I was not able to get the processor, I can still buy the vid card but I think I can get both!

 

[LXi]

I think this...

You should get the Ti4200, along with an XP1800+, and a new KT333 motherboard. If you absolutely have to spend it, but I still recommend waiting.

 

[Bowen]

<< I think this...

You should get the Ti4200, along with an XP1800+, and a new KT333 motherboard. If you absolutely have to spend it, but I still recommend waiting. >>



Hmmm....that option sounds good too. Hey I'd really like to thank you guys again. I would not have thought about this other idea if all of you had just picked get the cpu and mobo and also not said anything. I used to be so impulsive (not that I'm so different now) but I do take a few more days to decide to get something as opposed to buying something the day I had the money in my hand! Yeah...I really want to upgrade. I like to upgrade once a year and never more than every two years.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

My suggestion: SCSI!!!!

from newegg.com:
- ADAPTEC 1822100 19160 SCSI CONTROLLER CARD LVD ULTRA 160 OEM $180
- FUJITSU SCSI HARD DRIVE 18GB 10,000RPM MODEL #MAN3184MC OEM $160
- SCSI Cable ~$15-20
-----------------------------
Shipping =< $20

~ $380 and now everything will be snappier. You will notice this more than a proc or gfx card upgrade (or so I'm told)
The Fujitsu is currently SR's top rated 10k RPM SCSI drive


-Ice

<-- Can't afford SCSI... yet

 

[tomrizzo]

wait wait wait, newer better stuff is on the horizon

 

[Bowen]

I don't think a SCSI card or hard drive although would improve speed would not significantly improve overall speed and do very little to game performance but thanx for the ideas!! I won't be getting any more money anytime soon so this is the best plan so far that I've had. I will upgrade to the AMD ClawHammer next year and the next GF 5 or so...whatever is the newest. By my buying the Athlon XP 1900+ and the GF4 Ti4400 128 meg card, I get the best of both worlds! I get the girl and the money!!

 

[spanky]

i think the cpu prices will drop before the video card prices. so if u can find a decent deal on the video card, i would say go for the video card. btw, u can sell ur gf3 to me for $25 shipped. deal?

 

[Bowen]

<< i think the cpu prices will drop before the video card prices. so if u can find a decent deal on the video card, i would say go for the video card. btw, u can sell ur gf3 to me for $25 shipped. deal? >>



Hehe....gee I'll have to think about that one. We can settle it with a nice peaceful game of Jedi Knight II: Outcast when it comes out on March 29th. A lightsabre dual perhaps...you have that option in the game.

 

[MCS]

Do you have a good monitor? Do you have enough hard drive space? Perhaps a nice set of 4.1/5.1 speakers? I would look into improving these things if you just HAVE to spend that money, as your core system is absolutely fine IMO.

 

[Jerboy]

You have already very fast processor and a videocard. Wait until something significantly different comes out, then add $400 to whatever additional budget you have by then. Little upgrades are very worthless short of making you feel excited that you have a XP2000+, 1.66GHz instead of 1.33GHz. Are you sure you want to buy a whole new processor for 25% increase in clock speed? The clock speed should at least double to make processor upgrade economical and worthwhile.

 

[ssanches]

Another vote for "save my money". Neither upgrade shall give you a great improvement, either in graphics or CPU. Wait until Dec till the CH comes out. Even I've begun saving money for the CH , but I'm hoping I'll get it for free from Santa

 

[Innoka]

Why would you waste several hundred dollars on fairly meaningless upgrades when you "won't be getting any more money anytime soon". I would not do that. I don't see you be getting the girl like that either.