$ to upgrade but which way do I go?????

[Lost Packet]

Suddenly have $300 to upgrade my system with!! It is a home built AMD 64 3500+ (socket 939) running at 2.25 with 1gb of ram , a Geoforce fx 5900xt , 160 gig hd and 8x dvd writer . What I use it for is 1) FPS games (battlefield 2 , FEAR) 2) Backup (cough, cough) of DVD's 3)General surfing. Which of the following would give me the best bang -for-buck? Buy a geoforce 6600 gt 128 meg video card and new 16x dvd writer..... Get a PCIe motherboard and save for a new video card (will my agp card work with a PCIe board?)..... or should I blow it all on the Geoforce 6800 128 meg card ... Thanks for any help or ideas!

 

[Twsmit]

If gaming is your number 1 priority you should look into a new video card. A 6800GT would be the top of the line AGP you could probably get, or a x800XL.

Your other option would be getting a new motherboard, a PCIe NF4 board, and a new video card. Say something like a 6800GS and a 75-$80 NF4 ultra board.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Welcome to AT.

Do you mean get a PCI-e motherboard?

I think SLI is generally a bad idea and it wont work with your AGP card.

If your DVD burner still works, I'd say keep it unless those couple more minutes it takes to burn is really bothering you. Afterall ripping and encoding still takes a good amount of time and a 16x burner isn't going to help with that really.

Since games is your primary concern, I'd say go for a videocard upgrade.

If you sell your current card and motherboard, you should just about be able to afford a basic PCI-e board and a 7800gt.

 

[Lost Packet]

Jello you are correct my bad... PCI-e and thanks for the advice!

 

[IntelHydralisk]

Isn't there an EVGA 7800 GT that comes with an SLI motherboard?

 

[Lost Packet]

$449 for the combo ... anyone help out a Brother??

 

[eXx08]

Get a ASRock Dual SATA ULi mainboard and a eVGA 256MB GeForce 6800GS.

Total is about $300 with shipping. Enjoy. :thumbsup:

 

[Lost Packet]

Looks good!!! Anyone have this board???

 

[w00t]

this would be the bestest choice get a x800gto that is about 200 dollars unlock full 16 and oc to x860xt pe speeds. than get a dvd burner with the remaining money you have left should be enough nec or benq 1640 would be a good choice.

 

[johnnqq]

tthe only thing salvagable is your cpu. just stick a 6800 in there and keep it as long as possible. it should last your another yaer or two before everything is obsolete. why such a mild oc?

 

[Lost Packet]

x800gto is PCIE would have to get MB but possible .. thanks!

 

[Lost Packet]

I am a newbie on oc .. can you educate me ????

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Are you factoring in $$ from selling your current motherboard and videocard in the $300 figure?

EDIT:

eVGA 7800gt $315 AR
ASRock motherboard = $70

If you can sell your current videocard and motherboard for about $80 there you go. (or save up a little more)

7800gt benchmarks