What Would Be the Better Move? Video Card or Motherboard

[cheapherk]

I'm debating whether to buy a new motherboard or video card.

Prospective Video Card- Nvidia GeforceFX 5900
Prospective Motherboard- ASUS A7V8X- Deluxe

Here's what I have now:

Gigabyte GA-7VAX (KT400)
Athlon XP 2400+
512MB Corsair PC3200 DDR RAM
Radeon 9700 (by PowerColor- Evil Commando2)
SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum
TDK DVD+R/RW (420n) Drive
Windows XP Professional SP1

I do more gaming than anything, and I'd rather go back to an Nvidia vidio card than an ATI. The only downside to any of this is that I'd first have to sell my video card if I were to buy a new video card.

Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Zer0X]

I think that since you already have a good enough video card, you should definitely get a new mobo. I have a KT400 mobo too and I already ordered an nForce one because of the performance gains with Dual Channel DDR.

 

[Sheriff]

Mobo BTA what's the rest of your set-up cause both those aren't that bad.

 

[Schadenfroh]

you definently dont need a better video card. although you should consider a nforce2

 

[magomago]

Unless you are using IGP you'll be seeing VERY little improvement in preformance (more like negligible) witih DC DDR...

But LOL at some some need to replace that videocard

Mobo would bet better tho

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: Zer0X
I think that since you already have a good enough video card, you should definitely get a new mobo. I have a KT400 mobo too and I already ordered an nForce one because of the performance gains with Dual Channel DDR.

Oh really?

 

[bjc112]

Thats mainly in Spec though, the average performance gain is only about 5%...

Not THAT noticable... And probably not worth the money to upgrade...


I vote for another 512 megs of ram...

 

[Remedy]

I was quoting him because he said he went for the DC DDR gains on NF2. But in Anands article, It states the opposite of what he's claiming.

 

[Budman]

I dont think you need to upgrade the mobo or the video card.

Maybe adding more ram would be better,1 gig sure runs fine with XP.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}

Originally posted by: Zer0X
I think that since you already have a good enough video card, you should definitely get a new mobo. I have a KT400 mobo too and I already ordered an nForce one because of the performance gains with Dual Channel DDR.

Oh really?

They arent using a 400+ fsb in that test. The higher FSB on an unlocked Tbred-B will use dual ddr.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}
I was quoting him because he said he went for the DC DDR gains on NF2. But in Anands article, It states the opposite of what he's claiming.

Just noticed ..

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}

Originally posted by: Zer0X
I think that since you already have a good enough video card, you should definitely get a new mobo. I have a KT400 mobo too and I already ordered an nForce one because of the performance gains with Dual Channel DDR.

Oh really?

They arent using a 400+ fsb in that test. The higher FSB on an unlocked Tbred-B will use dual ddr.

Please provide a link to this theory.

 

[thraxes]

One more vote for more memory... everything else is not noticeable in any way and hence a waste of money IMO!

 

[t0mmyb0y]

Get the Geforce 5900 and sell me the 9700 pro.



No really...pm me if interested.

 

[pelikan]

It says "A7V8X." No use buying that. I'd get an Abit NF7-S rev. 2 and another stick of memory if you overclock. If you run it stock I'd get the video card.

 

[borgmang]

Originally posted by: thraxes
One more vote for more memory... everything else is not noticeable in any way and hence a waste of money IMO!

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: thraxes
One more vote for more memory... everything else is not noticeable in any way and hence a waste of money IMO!

 

[Regs]

The only thing I don't like about the KT400 is the inability to lock the AGP/PCI bus in place like the nforce 2. Other then that , I would wait for the nforce 3.

I would also wait until we hear a release date on these new GPU cores offered by ATI and Nvidia. If they are planning to come out in 6+ months from now I might consider upgrading the video card. If they come out in less then 6 months then wait in defiantly.

 

[Hardtarget]

um.. i'd get nothing and save your cash your system is already good. maybe some more ram if you really wanna burn some cash.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Hardtarget beat me to it.

No point in upgrading this system right now.

You've got new sockets from BOTH major players so a motherboard purchase is not a good investment, especially considering that Nvidia held off adding some integrated things to its southbridge when specifically considering the Nforce2 chipset.

As far as the videocard goes, why a GeForceFX5900? It is At Best 5-10% faster overall (please FanATIcs, I'm just going there for the sake of argument, no flames) and costs $100 more than a Radeon 9800 Pro. Also, next generation chips will be released in the next iterations from both ATI and Nvidia so I don't think its worth upgrading THAT either.

Save your money and upgrade your motherboard when Clawhammer and/or Prescott hit.

P-X