What upgrade will let me play current games?

[asintu]

My system is getting kinda old (you can see my sig)
Instead of buying a new system I would like to save money and keep my current monitor (1280x1024), case, mobo etc.
The maximum things I wanna upgrade are the video card, memory and cpu.
I will also keep running on XP 32bit.

Question:
Will a specific video card upgrade allow me to play all current games at 1280x1024 or do I need to upgrade cpu and mem. as well?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

You would want

1) a dual core CPU, try to pick up one of the few socket 939 Athlon X2s
2) another gig of RAM... Maybe just pick up another GB of that Kingston RAM (unless you bought it from a B&M store, then order online)
3) A video card upgrade, yea. What slot do you have? If that's a green AGP slot, it could be cheaper to upgrade your entire computer...

The resolution you want isn't that taxing, so if you have an AGP slot, you won't have to spend more than $200... I think.

or

4) a new computer...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: asintu
My system is getting kinda old (you can see my sig)
Instead of buying a new system I would like to save money and keep my current monitor (1280x1024), case, mobo etc.
The maximum things I wanna upgrade are the video card, memory and cpu.
I will also keep running on XP 32bit.

Question:
Will a specific video card upgrade allow me to play all current games at 1280x1024 or do I need to upgrade cpu and mem. as well?

the *cheapest* way to "get by" would be to buy an AGP x1950p or xt and another GB of system RAM. You might also consider overclocking your CPU or getting a faster X-2 Athlon. You could play most games at 12x10 in DX9 [not Crysis or DX10] with most details mid-maxed.

Everything else requires a *rig makeover* ... CPU: C2D or QC/PCIe 8800 or 3700 series GPU ... you would also need a new MB and 2GB DDR2.

 

[asintu]

I have AGP.

 

[colonel]

I have the AGP x1950 pro but the HD3850pro is coming up.......wait http://www.powercolor.com/Glob...res.asp?ProductID=1730

 

[asintu]

for the money i spend on the card i might as well spend extra and build a new pci-e system or buy a console i guess

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: asintu
for the money i spend on the card i might as well spend extra and build a new pci-e system or buy a console i guess

not really .. you can find a x1950p for well under $100 and RAM is dirt cheap ... you just won't get DX10 games

x1950p is probably [more than] 4 times faster than your current card

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: asintu
for the money i spend on the card i might as well spend extra and build a new pci-e system or buy a console i guess

not really .. you can find a x1950p for well under $100 and RAM is dirt cheap ... you just won't get DX10 games

x1950p is probably [more than] 4 times faster than your current card

where can i find an x1950p agp for under 100?
and also..I only have a 350W with +12V and 21A ratings, so I'm not sure which video cards will hold

 

[deadken]

Why we assuming that the CPU is a S939? It certainly could be a S754 3000+Venice. Since the PC has an AGP slot, I am thinking S754.

Also, I'm wondering what the OP means by playing 'current games'. I'd think that I would be crippled with my 8800 GTS if I tried playing Crysis, or another brand new game (I'm using a S754 3400+ @ 2.65Ghz). I just bought COD4 and it plays beautifully @ 1600x1200 everything maxed. Please note that I am using XP Pro and NOT Vista. If the OP is using Vista, he could get a bit less performance (%10-%15 if I understand correctly).

As always, a bit more information from the OP would help get him the best replies.

 

[asintu]

I have s939.

I saw some deals for some video cards.
Would all of these handle my 350W power supply (12V rating of 21A) ?

X800 GTO
X1550
X1650
X1650 Pro

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: asintu
I have s939.

I saw some deals for some video cards.
Would all of these handle my 350W power supply (12V rating of 21A) ?

X800 GTO
X1550
X1650
X1650 Pro

yes ... but they are really not in the same class as x1900
[i was thinking perhaps "used" ... also there were some pretty good deals in 'hot deals' not long ago under $100 after MiR]

what brand of PS?

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: asintu
I have s939.

I saw some deals for some video cards.
Would all of these handle my 350W power supply (12V rating of 21A) ?

X800 GTO
X1550
X1650
X1650 Pro

With that power supply I suggest a 7600gt or 7900gs. I would not chance any 1950 or 3850 series cards with that psu.
If you need to upgrade your psu, I would just upgrade the whole system.

1.socket 939 4800x2=200.00$
2. gig ram ======= 75$
3. 3850 card ====200$
4. quality psu =====80$
total===550$

 

[zeroburrito]

you can just buy a new s939 mobo with pcie and a new card. that or upgrade everything. don't buy an agp card.
e2140 - 60 dollars
p35 mobo - 90 dollars
2gb ddr2 800 - 40 dollars
3850 - 170 dollars
360 dollars.

my exact computer. but with a 3870. oc'd to 3 ghz on the cpu. runs everything. this is faster than the setup above for less. NO reason to buy an agp card and NO reason to buy an amd cpu.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: zeroburrito
you can just buy a new s939 mobo with pcie and a new card. that or upgrade everything. don't buy an agp card.
e2140 - 60 dollars
p35 mobo - 90 dollars
2gb ddr2 800 - 40 dollars
3850 - 170 dollars
360 dollars.

my exact computer. but with a 3870. oc'd to 3 ghz on the cpu. runs everything. this is faster than the setup above for less.

I agree...well thats what I was saying. 550$ for a dead end 939 system is too much.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: happy medium

Originally posted by: asintu
I have s939.

I saw some deals for some video cards.
Would all of these handle my 350W power supply (12V rating of 21A) ?

X800 GTO
X1550
X1650
X1650 Pro

With that power supply I suggest a 7600gt or 7900gs. I would not chance any 1950 or 3850 series cards with that psu.
If you need to upgrade your psu, I would just upgrade the whole system.

1.socket 939 4800x2=200.00$
2. gig ram ======= 75$
3. 3850 card ====200$
4. quality psu =====80$
total===550$

let me try again

1. socket 939 3600x2= 50$ http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...=NEXTAG&CMP=EMC-NEXTAG
overclock that sucker.
2. 512mb ram = 40$
3. 3850 card = 200$
4. psu = 40$ - 15 rebate 25$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817171028

315 $ total.. Thats not to bad for 4x the performance!

 

[jonnyhazE]

Another gig of memory would be nice but you are not gonna find good prices on obsolete DDR memory these days.....trust me i looked. Its a complete ripoff compared to DDR2.

I was in almost the same boat as you a few months ago when i decided to upgrade from your current cpu to my current x2 4200+ ($60) and from a 7800gt to an 8800gt ($220). That only cost me like $280 total and i can now play all the current games nicely at 1680x1050. TF2, COD4, Bioshock are all a piece of cake.

Unfortunately, not having a pci-e motherboard hurts your upgrading potential. Search the bargain bin for a used S939 motherboard with pci-e. I wouldnt pay more than $50 for one. In the end I think you wil be spending more money than you want. Save up for a complete rebuild ! LOL

 

[Denithor]

Don't even consider spending the money on an AMD upgrade at this point. By the time you get it up to even medium range by today's standards you will have spent as much or more as you would spend on a C2D system that will run circles around it.

For that matter, the same amount of money would also buy an Xbox360 or PS3 (assuming you have a good enough TV to see the benefit of HD gaming). If your computer still handles your general daily use stuff you could consider a console instead of a full system upgrade. I know I've thought about that myself recently. An 8800GT for $250-300 or a full PS3 system for $400, hmmm...

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Don't even consider spending the money on an AMD upgrade at this point. By the time you get it up to even medium range by today's standards you will have spent as much or more as you would spend on a C2D system that will run circles around it.

For that matter, the same amount of money would also buy an Xbox360 or PS3 (assuming you have a good enough TV to see the benefit of HD gaming). If your computer still handles your general daily use stuff you could consider a console instead of a full system upgrade. I know I've thought about that myself recently. An 8800GT for $250-300 or a full PS3 system for $400, hmmm...

hmm...very wise...i'm not gonna spend any more money on this sytem..i'm probably just gonna overclock my cpu and video card to get the most of them and for now play newer games on 640x480 on my 27" sdtv monitor...probably will build a new system or get a console later.

 

[happy medium]

If you overclock your cpu and use a 9550 you won't be able to play any new games.
The 9550 is to weak,grab at least a 7600gt to net 30 fps which is playable.

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: happy medium
If you overclock your cpu and use a 9550 you won't be able to play any new games.
The 9550 is to weak,grab at least a 7600gt to net 30 fps which is playable.

I know i won't be able to play Crysis and such but I could probably play fairly newer games at 640x480 after the overclock

 

[Triton67]

Originally posted by: zeroburrito
you can just buy a new s939 mobo with pcie and a new card. that or upgrade everything. don't buy an agp card.
e2140 - 60 dollars
p35 mobo - 90 dollars
2gb ddr2 800 - 40 dollars

totally agree with major components. get a cheap E2140/60/80 C2D that oc's 3GHz easily, 2GB dirt-cheap RAM (4-4-4-12, DDR667), p35 mobo that allows higher FSB (9x333=3GHz).
But soon there is a better GPU; 8800GS 384MB that will compete with HD3850, benches can be found on the net (20% slower than 8800GT 512MB @ 1280x1024 w/o anti-aliasing..but that rez requires AA)

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: asintu

Originally posted by: happy medium
If you overclock your cpu and use a 9550 you won't be able to play any new games.
The 9550 is to weak,grab at least a 7600gt to net 30 fps which is playable.

I know i won't be able to play Crysis and such but I could probably play fairly newer games at 640x480 after the overclock

Call of duty4, bioshock, crysis, orange box....all 2007 best. 2006 games will struggle if play at all on a 9550.

 

[VooDooAddict]

With DDR2 ram prices, might as well just upgrade the CPU and board.

You can do it on the cheep too... The following would give you a huge boost in gaming for $350 (or $250 depending on video card)

Name Brand Motherboard, Intel Chipset @ $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128076

Dual Core Intel 2.0 Ghz @ $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116052

2Gig DDR2 800 @ $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820161172

AMD 3850 Video Card - $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814103049

or if that card is way out of your budget:
2600XT - $75 after Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125075

 

[Crumbelievable]

Originally posted by: asintu
My system is getting kinda old (you can see my sig)
Instead of buying a new system I would like to save money and keep my current monitor (1280x1024), case, mobo etc.
The maximum things I wanna upgrade are the video card, memory and cpu.
I will also keep running on XP 32bit.

Question:
Will a specific video card upgrade allow me to play all current games at 1280x1024 or do I need to upgrade cpu and mem. as well?

Think about this: mobo (ddr400)

And this:This card smokes for the price!

Or if you want upgrade to a ddr2mem mobo you can also do that (have to buy new mem obviously but it's very cheap right now). Plus you can always upgrade your CPU later if you like. Also I wouldn't bother with uber new cards because you have a small monitor so that much power is overkill not to mention expensive. Also I really wouldn't bother with the "HD 2000" series radeons as they are direct x10 cards and unless you have windows vista they are pointless.