Socket 939 board - Video update question

[sgc1000]

Doing a little light gaming (NBA 2K9, Beijing 2008, Madden 09) but my current config won't support it...here's what I am running -- question is will I be able to add a faster graphics card to solve prob or do I need new board, chip? Also, will I get much out of going to a low end dual core chip?

Board: Epox 9NPA nForce4 Ultra
Chip: AMD Athlon 64 4000+ (2.41 Ghz)
Mem: 3 gb 400 DDR 32PC
Monitor: Samsung 22'' 225W
Vid Card: Radeon x800 (Think brand is Connect 3D)

Any thoughts appreciated.

Steve

 

[Slappy00]

almost a similar setup cept I have a opteron 165... Right now I have a 8800 GTS and everything is fine (I can even run fallout 3 ... abit at 1024x768 full everything). Although I love this setup I think I am going intel in the next few months, not because I cannot play my games but I do a ton of multitasking (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, flash).

I say: new video card first, try it, and then see if you need a new mobo/cpu.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Budget ?

Your power supply becomes a serious consideration. Your x800 pulls around 45w. Give up a little more info.

A new video card would make a big difference for less than $100 and work within your power envelop (maybe a Radeon HD 4670 - less than 60w - ???)

 

[Concillian]

A faster graphics card will help, but most modern games will make very good use out of a dual core CPU.

IMO no matter what you need a new video card, so get something and see if it will work (9600GT / HD4670 at a minimum, I'd probably go up a step or two to a 9800GT or HD4830 (or even another step up to a 4850 at your resolution)

If that doesn't give enough improvement, then you can bring that card with you to a new platform.

You can find S939 dual cores, but they're generally as or more expensive than a new AM2 proc or an intel e5200. With how cheap DDR2 is, a full platform upgrade isn't all that much more expensive than just getting a used S939 CPU.

My guess is that a low end dual core and a 9800GT-ish card will do you just fine for a while at your listed games.

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Budget ?

Your power supply becomes a serious consideration. Your x800 pulls around 45w. Give up a little more info.

A new video card would make a big difference for less than $100 and work within your power envelop (maybe a Radeon HD 4670 - less than 60w - ???)

I kind of doubt power envelope is a huge deal, but if it is, an e5200 + P43 chipset mobo or the AMD route of a 4850e + 780G mobo are both way less power than his current processor + mobo (nforce 4 sucked the juice compared with current chipsets, and the e5200 &4850e CPUs both have way lower power draw than a 4000+.

He can use a 9800 GT (105 watt thermal design power) or an HD4850 (110W TDP) and he should have to extra ~30 watts of margin he'll need to power a 100W-ish video card. Hard to believe his PSU would not have a spare 30 watts or so.

 

[sgc1000]

Yes, thanks...OCZ 450 watt supply.

 

[sgc1000]

ASUS EN9800GT HB/HTDI/512M GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail ...is $105 at Newegg af rebate (assuming rebate company still exists) That's def within budget. Sound like what y'all are recommending?

Steve

 

[Concillian]

Yep, that should work fine for your resolution. You can see if that's good enough for you. You'll likely be able to max out your CPU capability with a card like that so any more need for speed would likely require a platform upgrade or at least a dual-core.