Upgrade or not?

[chari]

I am currently running:
Intel P4 3.2GHZ socket 478 Processor
1GB corsair Ram
Asus P4P800 MObo
80GB PATA Hard Drive
120GB PATA HArd Drive
ATI 9800 Pro 128MG Video Card

I am looking to build a machine with a AMD athlon 64 4000+ and all the goodies to go with it...such as PCI express video card and 2 GB of ram.
I am wondering if it is worth it to build a whole new computer or just add new parts to the one i already have.
I can't seem to find a PCI-e mobo that take a socket 478 CPU.
Please help me out and tell me what I should do. I can afford the new computer if i save some money, but i would rather spend it on something else since I am a college student. PLease help...
Thanks

 

[Ricemarine]

I say hold out until ddr2 is mainstream (next year.)

Your computer should be sufficient until then.

 

[stevty2889]

Personaly I would just keep what you have and maybe upgrade the video card to a 6800GT if you are looking for more perfomance in games.

 

[n7]

Yeah, honestly, your 3.2 GHz P4 is still great.

Maybe OC it a bit ?

Nah, for gaming, bump your RAM up to 2 GB, & grab an X800XL or AGP 6800GS.

 

[TSS]

the card should last you well into next year. right wanna save up, wait for socket M2, then buy a whole new computer all together. if you think the games dont run like they should, get a new AGP vidcard. but really its not worth it upgrading your mobo+cpu yet.... still works fine.

and no you wont find a socket 478 PCI-E mobo because thats pretty much and old socket. you'll find enough of 775 (intel) or 939 (AMD) sockets though. and you've got the fastest CPU for that paticular socket (atleast that i could find).

so best to wait till atleast after Cebit in march or maybe even after intel releases their new line.

 

[KoolDrew]

I would keep what you have. Upgrade the video card or add more RAM if you want.

 

[forumposter32]

I would only add 1GB of RAM.

 

[chari]

Thanks for helping me out guys. I am looking to buy a new AGP video Card now. and i have 1GB of ram on the way. What do you suggest for an AGP video card?

 

[ashegam]

I'm too late

Was going to say

1. Sell your 9800 pro and get a new video card
2. No need to upgrade ram, at least I wouldn't cause I'm cheap, but then again ram is cheap too
3. OC a little bit, something your current cooling system can handle so you don't have to spend more money on upgrades

If I had your system I wouldn't upgrade either but get some money for that 9800 pro for sure, don't let it sit around any longer as it will loose value day by day. this way your upgrade would cost you very little.

bahhh nothing you haven't heard but just wanted to say it to give you more confirmation of your good choice :0

 

[Heckler 5th]

Originally posted by: chari
Thanks for helping me out guys. I am looking to buy a new AGP video Card now. and i have 1GB of ram on the way. What do you suggest for an AGP video card?

a 6800gt agp card. these are getting scarce, tho. if not that, then an ati x800XL.

 

[chari]

Could I get some other opinions on what Video Card to get. I do not know a lot about video cards. Is the nvidia 6800GT the way to go or should i shell out the cash for the X800XT?
I just want some assurance on which one to pick. The Games I Play are WOW, BF2, Halflife2, GUild Wars, and Doom 3 on occasion. Which card will run better? Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[ashegam]

you want to go with a 7800 series card. they are the latest generation, cheaper then the 6800 series and better then all their own older and ATI's cards. For example the 7800GS that will be out with very soon will probably be around $250-300 which would be cheaper then a 6800GT or X800XT and the same performance if not faster. Just depends how much you want to spend. for $200 best bang for the buck is the 6800GS and I'm sure you won't find that many people here that will argue differentely.

 

[Leper Messiah]

Originally posted by: ashegam
you want to go with a 7800 series card. they are the latest generation, cheaper then the 6800 series and better then all their own older and ATI's cards. For example the 7800GS that will be out with very soon will probably be around $250-300 which would be cheaper then a 6800GT or X800XT and the same performance if not faster. Just depends how much you want to spend. for $200 best bang for the buck is the 6800GS and I'm sure you won't find that many people here that will argue differentely.

*cough*7800seriesdisn'toutforAGPever*cough*


I'd just get like a x800xl AGP, since 6800GTs are like fvcking impossible to find...

 

[RussianSensation]

Nvidia should roll out with 6800GS real soon. That's going to be the best bang for the buck in AGP market.

 

[zagood]

Yup. Wait for the 6800GS in AGP. Probably around $250.

Budget card under $200 would be the 6800 "vanilla" (non GT, non Ultra) that's currently around $180, but I'd wait for the GS.

-z

 

[chari]

Thanks for all your help guys..
I think i am going to go with the x850XT AGP...
I need something to last me a while...i wont be rebuilding my whole pc until next summer.
Thanks for all the input...It helps a great deal!
Nick

 

[Schnozzinkobenstein]

Originally posted by: ashegam
you want to go with a 7800 series card. they are the latest generation, cheaper then the 6800 series and better then all their own older and ATI's cards. For example the 7800GS that will be out with very soon will probably be around $250-300 which would be cheaper then a 6800GT or X800XT and the same performance if not faster. Just depends how much you want to spend. for $200 best bang for the buck is the 6800GS and I'm sure you won't find that many people here that will argue differentely.

So for PCIEs it would be good to get a 6800GS or a 7800GS depending on your budget whether or not you plan on overclocking? How does a connect3d x800 GTO compare to the 6800GS? Is a 6800GS going to handle well something like Oblivion on max or really good settings?

 

[jiffylube1024]

The only reason I'd say you might want to upgrade is to go to a faster dual core solution. In that case a 4200+ or 4400+ would be a great choice (or 3800+ if you want to overclock).