Which upgrade is better?

[PsychoCrazy]

I'm looking at upgrading my current rig so I can play BF2 at full resolution and detail. Here is my current rig:

Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked to 3200+
1GB DDR PC3200
Radeon 9700Pro

Here are the two options I'm considering:

1. Upgrade the whole thing (mobo, cpu, video) to an Athlon 64 3000 (and hopefully overclock) and a 6600GT (PCI-E).

2. Just upgrade the video card to 6800GT (AGP).

Which of these options would result in the faster machine for gaming? Anybody have any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[theMan]

upgrade the entire thing, and overclock it to fx-55. get a dfi ultra-d.

 

[CreativeTom]

I would upgrade the whole thing, this way you can upgrade to an even better video card and CPU in the future.

 

[n7]

I think you would find a nice jump by going to A64, but you really should ideally get a better video card than the 6600GT.

Maybe a nice X800XL, 3000+ Venice, & MSI Neo4 or DFI

On a side note, can someone tell what is with the zillion different DFI nForce4 mobos on newegg? What's the difference between them all aside from some have 2 PCI-e 16x; others just one?!?

 

[knothead34]

upgrade the whole thing.

 

[PsychoCrazy]

OK. Thanks for all your replies. Looks like everyone is in agreement that the whole thing needs to be upgraded. My hesitation with upgrading the whole thing is that I don't know if I'll have enough $$ for anything better than a 6600GT, but maybe I can pick up a refurb X800 or 6800GT from Newegg for around $200.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: PsychoCrazy

2. Just upgrade the video card to 6800GT (AGP).

By a mile...............................

6800Ultra vs. 9800xt on P4 3.2ghz

Anyone who thinks A64 4000+ and 6600GT will be faster than AXP3200+ and 6800GT at gaming is smoking some major crack.

Also X800XL is faster at BF2 than 6800GT. So in reality, your best bet would be to combine 1, sell 9700Pro, current mobo cpu (for $100 - very cheap), take that $100 and add it and get x800xl. ......then you'll have A64 4000+ (overclocked) and x800xl. Now we are talking....

Remember BF2 is highly videocard dependent and very independent of CPU speed so a videocard upgrade will always net the greatest bang for the buck in that game specifically.
In fact here A64 1.6ghz gave almost the same framerates as A64 2.4ghz with 6800GT. Benches

Also X800XL is kicking 6800GT's butt Here. This is very good since x800xl pcie is cheaper than 6800GT PCIe by $100! So if you do decide to get a new motherboard with pcie, you'll get faster performance for $100 cheaper.

 

[KoolDrew]

The X800Xl can sometimes be found around $250. I would really try to get it.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
The X800Xl can sometimes be found around $250. I would really try to get it.

Yeah I agree if you can find it for this price I would go for it too. I think if he is really trying to keep his budget down though this isn't a bad card here at all for a decent price.Text

 

[PsychoCrazy]

I don't really think I can afford to spend much more than $200 on a video card, so I think the X800XL is probably out of the question, even at $250.

How abut this setup:

Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra
Atlon 64 300+ (venice)
Refurb Sapphire X800Pro 256MB PCI-Express (just under $200)

I think that would fit my budget. What do you guys think?

 

[RussianSensation]

Get this MSI K8N Neo4-F for $83 This board should overclock like a champ.

That's another 20-30 savings off your epox board. now x800xl is only $30 more.

 

[zendari]

If you are gaming, the video card should be the highest priority in your budget. I wouldn't game with less than a 6800 GT, cut back on RAM and processor if you have to.

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: PsychoCrazy
I'm looking at upgrading my current rig so I can play BF2 at full resolution and detail. Here is my current rig:

Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked to 3200+
1GB DDR PC3200
Radeon 9700Pro

Here are the two options I'm considering:

1. Upgrade the whole thing (mobo, cpu, video) to an Athlon 64 3000 (and hopefully overclock) and a 6600GT (PCI-E).

2. Just upgrade the video card to 6800GT (AGP).

Which of these options would result in the faster machine for gaming? Anybody have any suggestions or recommendations?

2. all the way

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: Malladine

Originally posted by: PsychoCrazy
I'm looking at upgrading my current rig so I can play BF2 at full resolution and detail. Here is my current rig:

Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked to 3200+
1GB DDR PC3200
Radeon 9700Pro

Here are the two options I'm considering:

1. Upgrade the whole thing (mobo, cpu, video) to an Athlon 64 3000 (and hopefully overclock) and a 6600GT (PCI-E).

2. Just upgrade the video card to 6800GT (AGP).

Which of these options would result in the faster machine for gaming? Anybody have any suggestions or recommendations?

2. all the way

I would have to disagree, I think it would be in his better instrests to go with upgrading the whole thing and trying to work in a x800xl into his budget, even if he has to scale way down on the Athlon64. I think if you go this route then later you have the ability to upgrade your processor to an X2 and upgrade to one of the next gen video cards.

 

[NatePo717]

I have a Athlon 64 3000+ and a XFX 6600GT on a DFI LanParty UT nF3 250 board and it can run it full everything with an average of 40 - 50 fps. of course they are oc'd. Cpu - 2.37 (can't get any higher and maintain stability but the new venice cores can get up around 2.8 ish on air cooling) and GFX - 570/1400.

In your case if you are trying to get a cheep upgrade a DFI LanParty UT nF4 ultra board w/ Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+ venice core with a 6600GT would do it for around $450.

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: Malladine

Originally posted by: PsychoCrazy
I'm looking at upgrading my current rig so I can play BF2 at full resolution and detail. Here is my current rig:

Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked to 3200+
1GB DDR PC3200
Radeon 9700Pro

Here are the two options I'm considering:

1. Upgrade the whole thing (mobo, cpu, video) to an Athlon 64 3000 (and hopefully overclock) and a 6600GT (PCI-E).

2. Just upgrade the video card to 6800GT (AGP).

Which of these options would result in the faster machine for gaming? Anybody have any suggestions or recommendations?

2. all the way

I would have to disagree, I think it would be in his better instrests to go with upgrading the whole thing and trying to work in a x800xl into his budget, even if he has to scale way down on the Athlon64. I think if you go this route then later you have the ability to upgrade your processor to an X2 and upgrade to one of the next gen video cards.

Well yeah but that wasn't one of the choices. Of course the "increase your budget and damn the torpedoes" option is great :laugh:

I'm currently advising a friend to upgrade his system (almost identical to the OP's) by purchasing a 6800gt agp card. AGP 939 boards will still be widely available in 1-2yrs time when he'll be looking at upgrading his 2600+ and i'm willing to bet pci-e still won't be showing much improvement over agp by even 2008 nevermind '06/'07.

Course if he had the cash i'd say go for a 939/pci-e setup to help ensure better future proofing.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Upgrade the whole damn thing.

 

[theMan]

my 6600gt is perfect for gaming. my advice is that you should get a 3000+ venice, neo4-f, corsair value select, and then maybe you can afford a 6800gt? but otherwise, the 6600gt will overclock a lot. i have one, and i have no problem with gaming.

 

[PsychoCrazy]

Well I guess the main question now is... Is the X800XL worth the extra $50 versus the X800Pro? I've been looking at some reviews, and it seems the XL only gives 5 or 10 fps over the Pro.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: PsychoCrazy
Well I guess the main question now is... Is the X800XL worth the extra $50 versus the X800Pro? I've been looking at some reviews, and it seems the XL only gives 5 or 10 fps over the Pro.

Start Review Here

Also maybe someone give me a hand here....but perhaps x800pro VIVO pcie is moddable to x800xt with a bios flash?

 

[PsychoCrazy]

OK. You guys convinced me. I think I'm going for the Neo4-F, A64 3000+, and the X800XL for $250 here: X800XL

I'm also going to get this power supply: Super-Flower 520Watt

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: PsychoCrazy
OK. You guys convinced me. I think I'm going for the Neo4-F, A64 3000+, and the X800XL for $250 here: X800XL

I'm also going to get this power supply: Super-Flower 520Watt

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions.

Should be a nice rig, Good luck if the MSI board dies though, their support is terrible.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

Buy the board from NewEgg and you don't have to worry about MSI's crappy support. BTW, I think the video upgrade would better suit your purpose.

 

[Fern]

There is nothing wrong with your XP platform. You should just slap a 6800GT or X800XL in there. And no, the cpu @ 2.2ghz would not bottleneck those cards.

Fern