Upgrading motherboard & CPU for gaming

[zecrose]

I usually play Americas Army. After they patched to 2.6, I have poor FPS. This is spec of my computer:

P4 2.4 Northwood 512kb L2
Asus P4P-6800 VM
Corsair XMS Series 1.5 Gb
Radeon 9600 Pro 128Mb

I bulit this about 2.5 years ago, so it is quiet outdated. Just updated my RAM from .5 to 1.5 Gb. I expected FPS to hang around 50, but it usually stays around 30 and sometimes 18. I think my CPU is bottle necking the whole system. My grahpics card is not that great, but I think it is useable. I would like to upgrade to x2, but speaking of budget, i am able to spend lower than 200 for CPU + motherboard. Any suggestions?

 

[Vegitto]

Lower than 200? Maybe S754 is something for you. Is your RAM DDR or DDR2?

 

[Laudas]

OK so I need to ask what the difference is besides price on a 754 v 939, cuz ive been looking at the 939's and not the 754's.....

 

[shinzwei]

u just need a new video card.

 

[Vegitto]

754 is a dead route. Nothing new is coming for it, anymore.

 

[Quino]

Yes, it might not have something else comming for it but it should be a good upgrade for what he has and he seems to upgradew both cpu and mobo at the same time (I do the same so I do not worry about being able to upgrade the cpu only). Skt 754 would be a good choice on that budget 🙂

 

[afrost]

Probably a 6600GT would be a better upgrade than a new CPU and Mobo.

You may also want to be sure that you don't have a bunch of spyware or a virus on your puter running in the background slowing you down.

Also be sure to update to latest ATI drivers etc.

 

[zecrose]

I have DDR 3200. There are no spyware or viruses. I take good care of my computer, so i don't even have anti-virus program on my computer. Didn't get any virus yet. I was thinking of getting new video card after i upgrade my CPU and motherboard. Should I wait price of x2 to drop, or should i just go ahead and get Athlon 64?

I am thinking about going with 939 by the way.

 

[whorush]

ummm, not sure if its the vid card or the chip. i'd look at some benches on the web for your platform, you could probably figure out where the problem is.

if you decide to upgrade the chip, check out the venice core 3000 A64. its not a huge upgrade, but its a fantastic overclocker, so you could get a lot out of it. get yourlself a nice 939 NF4 mobo. you'll probably go a bit over 200. check out chaintech's VNF4.

don't expect the X2 prices to drop until 2006 when AMD opens their new fab and they become the standard. it will happen slowly. you'll probably wait more than a year for x2 to come down that low. i think even longer.

 

[w32netsky]

maybe you guys could help me since i think i'm in the right area...lol

here's my pc specs.

System Specs...here

Motherboard specs here...

questions.. i recently upgraded to 1 gig of ram using (2) 512Mb DDR333 PC2300 chips that compaq recommended... only problem is my computer is never using more than 325MB when it's running at 100% Cpu speed. i ran a computer stress test for my CPU from www.majorgeek.com and i couldn't get it to use any more than 325MB no matter what i do.. i've increase the paging file size called their tech support and they have no answers they said it may be the SP2 pack so... i uninstalled it went to their website did ALL the upgrades they recommend before the SP2 install then i updated my windows and installed SP2 again.... still nothing.. same problem.. my friggin CPU maxxes out and i got ripped off on buying a extra stick of ram.. i could have bought another 256MB chip and been fine. can you help ?????? any suggestions... My computer is mainly used for gaming i am a dedicated HALO:CE player... w00t.. second question is my network connection (which i use broadband cable) only uses a max of 1% of my network while surfing and downloading... i did a couple tweaks to my reg and to my browser (mozilla) and i can download large files at a steady 800KB/sec. if i get a good mirror to download from.. it starts off at around 1150KB/sec then gradually slows and maintains 800kb/sec.. but why is it showing i'm only using between .5%-1% of my total network. i'm plugged directly into my cable modem. i've called the cable company asked them to help they have no answers... i hope you guys can help.....maybe it's something small that they are looking over or i'm just that one ordinary customer that wants the world when all i have is a pea. lol .........thanks in advance

one more thing any suggestions for a video card upgrade i believe i have PCI slots.. i'm looking for a decent card for around $120-$150....