Which upgrade would give me the best boost for Doom 3?

[spaceman]

my current rig seems less than favorable for doom 3, i dont have the cash to buy an entire new machine atm...so which upgrade would i see the most benefits from?
my current "gaming" rig lol
axp 2200+@default
Biostar M7CND Pro
1GB Kingston PC-2700
ASUS V9280TD Ti42008x 128mb
1x60gb/8mb maxtor
1x160/8mb maxtor




edit:I suspect a video card would probably be best..but my ceiling is low <$150...preferably closer to the $100 mark.....

 

[jrphoenix]

Overclock your processor for more speed, plenty of ram. Get a better video card asap!

 

[spaceman]

Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Overclock your processor for more speed, plenty of ram. Get a better video card asap!

i would but its running @ ~56c with the fan i have on it and afaik its a palomino.

 

[spaceman]

Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Overclock your processor for more speed, plenty of ram. Get a better video card asap!

is a nilla 5700 significantly better?
whats the story on the 5700le's?

 

[Scifience]

Get a 2500+ Barton:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-379&amp;DEPA=1
And overclock to 3200+ speeds.

Get a 6800GT:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-203&amp;depa=1

That's a $500 upgrade. The video card can go into any new machine that you would get, and for $85 the 2500+ Barton oc'ed to 3200+ will extend the life of your current rig considerably. With those upgrades, you'll be able to play DOOM3 great.

 

[Dman877]

2100 was the highest palamino, but the tbred A 2200 was a terrible chip too so yeah, you prolly aren't gonna get much more out of that. The cheapest solution that would really make a dif is still not in your budget though. A mobile barton at 2.3/2.4 and a 5900XT will run you about 250$....

 

[Sonic587]

Originally posted by: ncircle

Originally posted by: jrphoenix
Overclock your processor for more speed, plenty of ram. Get a better video card asap!

is a nilla 5700 significantly better?
whats the story on the 5700le's?

Total waste of money if you're upgrading from a ti4200.

IMO, you just need a new CPU/motherboard. Check out grabbing a mobile barton and a shuttle AN35N-Ultra. OC to about 2.2-2.4GHz(no need for 3200 RAM, just up the multi) and you'll be able to play 800X600 medium details which from what I hear even that looks fantastic. You could also try chancing a newegg refurb.

That's about the best you can do on a $150 or less budget. Also, check out the FS/FT forum. You should be able to grab a 5900/9700/9800 series card for about that much.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Originally posted by: Scifience
Get a 2500+ Barton:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-379&amp;DEPA=1
And overclock to 3200+ speeds.

Get a 6800GT:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-203&amp;depa=1

That's a $500 upgrade. The video card can go into any new machine that you would get, and for $85 the 2500+ Barton oc'ed to 3200+ will extend the life of your current rig considerably. With those upgrades, you'll be able to play DOOM3 great.

He said he can only spend up to $150.

Either you get a used 9700/9800 Pro from FS/T forum or Ebay, or a new Powercolor 9800SE-C3G from Newegg and softmod it into a 9800 Pro.