What Would You Do?

[Crism]

I'll ask a question now since I've been reading, replying, and helping for a while lol

Here's the Current Specifications:

P4 2.53GHz @ 3.0GHz - No HT..its the B series
1GB PC3200 RAM - Corsair w/ Samsung TCCD
ABit IT7-MAX2 v2 - Remember this old thing? - No dual channel RAM
ATi Radeon 9800Pro - AGP card...bought it for $279
2x WD 80GB 8MB Cache 7200RPM IDE Hard Drives on RAID 0 - My babies
Creative Audigy 2 w/ 6.1 Sound System - It's a sweet deal ya know
LiteOn 16x48x DVD Drive
LiteOn 52x32x52 CDRW Drive - This thing hauls
WD 80GB 8MB Cache HD - on the IDE channel for Music, Videos, Downloads, etc
Vantec 470W Stealth - Cool PSU...It's ran for 2 and a half years straight 12v line is like 11.63 though lol
Thermalright SLK-900U w/ 92mm Tornado - ..but don't worry...it's always on low setting on the Vantec Fan Speed Thing lol.

So lets see...should I upgrade? The CPU seems to be lagging behind in Flight Simulator 2004. It's ALWAYS at 100% (I know the FS is a CPU intensive game). Half Life 2 and CounterStrike is playable but at times the FPS go 25-40...I average 40-60 with 4xAA and 4xAF. I know the RAM is fine...but I don't have dual channel. I also have a Sony 19" CRT that's awesome but it weighs about 500lbs.

I recently built my friend a computer using the AMD 3700+ San Diego, 2GB RAM, 80GB SATA drive, and a X850XTPE....thing runs like a GOD. Flight Simulator runs a lot smoother as well.

So...what would you do in this case? Upgrade or try to hold out until I can?

 

[suicidalpigeon]

switching to a 3000, epox 9npa, 2g ocz, x800xl/6800gt/7800gt, wouldnt hurt. but i'd rather wait it out until x-mas.

 

[Hacp]

Hold out for another year. By that time, your CPU will be antiquated. Right now your fine. Just turn down the AA .

 

[Crism]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Hold out for another year. By that time, your CPU will be antiquated. Right now your fine. Just turn down the AA .

Then the jaggies attack and kill me eyes!

 

[superfly27]

Wow, that's a tough one.
Since I like UT2004, the CPU is like...almost too important. If I had that Pentium, I wouldn't be happy. But, I asked some people on another forum once to help me find the price on three Pentiums close in performance to the socket 754 3400+ 2.4 GHz. Anyway, I found out there was at least $400 US difference between the cheapest Pentium and the 3400+.
The socket 754 3700+ OEM right now is on sale for $215 US at newegg.
Right now on newegg the Abit KV8 Pro is $76 US.
So, for $291 plus shipping, you'd get a speed boost. But, I would keep the video card.
Yeah, it's not socket 939. But, when I move up to dual core I want at least socket M2 or better. Even socket M2 is only going to be 940 pins. I'd like to see 1207 pins for quad core. Why not? Anyway, I hope my 3400+ will give me what I need for two years. I only plan on replacing my video card next year.

 

[Crism]

When I do it, I'll probably go all out or not at all. At the moment, it's a not at all situation. I'll see if I can hold out until Christmas

Think I can sell the parts in this one easy enough?

 

[furballi]

I'd clean install Windows and get rid of RAID 0 because it uses too much of your CPU clock time. Turn off all non-essential craps in windows. Retest.

 

[Crism]

Lets see....I priced out some stuff on Newegg if I did it right here right now...

Asus A8N-SLI Platinum $176
AMD 3700+ San Diego $273
XFX GeForce 7800GTX 450/1250 $489
Lite On DVD Burner $45
2x SATA 80GB WD Drives for RAID 0 - $110 total
Seasonic 600W PSU - $159

$1252