Upgrade reccomendations

[steeb0z]

I need some help concerning upgrade paths for my pc, any help would be appreciated.

Current

Shuttle AN35Ultra
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (running at 3200+ speeds)
512 2700 ddr
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
120gb HD
400watt ps

I would like to get an A64(2800?), but need help deciding what mobos would be a nice choice. Should I just get another 512 of 2700, or ditch that and get 256x2 3200 speed, would it be better overall? I am not too sure of the budget so far but it won't be much, that I do know. The last thing that I am undecided about is the video card, it runs hl2 pretty poorly at the moment. So I'm thinking of maybe a 6600GT? Many people seem to reccomend that. Also, should I go with AGP OR PCI-E (would this mean i need to go intel, btw?)
thanks

 

[jpeyton]

I'm very surprised it runs HL2 poorly. What resolution/AA/AF and quality settings are you trying to run it at?

Your computer is actually pretty current, all things considered. You could forgo the big upgrade right now while we're transitioning to PCIE A64 motherboards (which are not here yet), and just get a new videocard to hold you over until mid-year 2005 when a whole slew of new hardware will be out on the market.

I would definitely upgrade the RAM though; your PC2700 is a bottleneck, and any PC3200 would provide a small boost to your computer. Get 2 sticks of 512MB Corsair Value Select PC3200 Cas2.5 (about $150 for both, shipped at Newegg), pop that into your motherboard, and you'll be running 1:1 with your FSB in dual-channel configuration.

Yes, a A64 would be faster. But I think if your primary goal is to play games a little faster, getting a GeForce 6800 plus 1GB of quality PC3200 will add new life to your system. That video card and PC3200 can always carry over to later.

 

[steeb0z]

Thank you. So you think that the XP is fine? Would it take advantage of the 6600? My computer is really weird, lower resolutions/details yields lower performance lol. I really have no idea why, but this is what happens. I play in 1280x1024 all high, no aa/af but the difference isnt much from medium/high. If I go 800x600 or 1024, its horrible I drop to ~25 fps. Using Cat 4.12's. I should have said CS Source, instead of HL originally sorry hehe. Thanks again!

 

[jpeyton]

An AXP 3200+ will be enough to take advantage of a card like a vanilla 6800 or an X800 Pro.

That is a strange software issue you're having though, with low resolutions running slower than higher ones.

 

[imported_Zeke]

yeah, I ahve the same video card you do and a 2100+ xp and I run hl2 fine at 16x12. hmmmmmm.........get a driver cleaner

 

[steeb0z]

Yeah, I know but this is off a fresh install so I dont think thats the problem. It's always been like that for some reason...

jpeyton - if i do get a 6800,x800 (which would you reccomend? i've read some things and i'm still undecided) would it be wise, since it would have to be agp and all.

to anyone else, how much performance would the trade off be if i were to just stick with amd xp + 1gb 3200 ram, and 6800 vs more ram, new mobo/cpu and 9800?

 

[jterrell]

The 6800 has advantages over the x800 in some games and gets beat up in others. I would try to match the mobo chipset to the vid card for max friendliness. I like Nvidia as I think the nforce chipsets are the best.

 

[steeb0z]

thanks, can someone maybe answer my other question above? i really dont want to upgrade if that choice will end up screwing me over in 3-6 months:frown:

 

[imported_Zeke]

I would wait a few months for 64 boards that support pci-e to become stable, that what I'm doing