Worthwhile system upgrade?

[pclstyle]

So one of the systems I've been running needs to be upgraded. Keeping some of the parts, upgrading others. Yalls think the upgrade is worthwhile (price/performance benefit)? Any potential problems?


Current system:

a64 3000+ newcastle 754
asus k8n-e deluxe
ati 9800 pro 128 mb
1 gb (2x 512) corsair xms plat hs
(2x) WD 74 gb raptor + 200gb maxtor
OCZ powerstream 520w
lian-li black pc65


UPGRADE to:

opteron 146 retail ($164)
dfi ultra-d retail ($128)
ati x1900xt 512 mb ($400)
1 gb (2x 512) corsair xms plat hs - Eventually upgrade to 2gb (2x 1gb) ($150-200)
(2x) WD 74 gb raptor + 200 gb maxtor
OCZ powerstream 520w
lian-li black pc65

Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[RaymondY]

Was in a similar situation as you a few months back. I decided instead of upgrading my cpu/mobo/video card that I would just upgrade the video card/mobo and wait until the new AMD AM2 socket processers come out. I purchase a 7800GT along with a ECS NForce4-S754 motherboard.

My current system is:

AMD 3400+ Clawhammer (S754)
ECS NForce4-S754 Motherboard
Albatron 7800GT PCIe
WD 74GB Raptor
2-1GB Corsair ValueSelect PC3200
OCZ Powerstream 520ADJ

 

[pclstyle]

Originally posted by: RaymondY
Was in a similar situation as you a few months back. I decided instead of upgrading my cpu/mobo/video card that I would just upgrade the video card/mobo and wait until the new AMD AM2 socket processers come out. I purchase a 7800GT along with a ECS NForce4-S754 motherboard.

My current system is:

AMD 3400+ Clawhammer (S754)
ECS NForce4-S754 Motherboard
Albatron 7800GT PCIe
WD 74GB Raptor
2-1GB Corsair ValueSelect PC3200
OCZ Powerstream 520ADJ

Does that mean your s754 board has a pci-e slot? Ah, did some research, looks like it does. So I'm assuming you just found a solid value board that would take a new pci-e video card and your previously used cpu, to hold you over till AM2

In my system, to upgrade the video card only would mean purchasing an agp card, which I've come to the conclusion (after really long, intense deliberation i promise you) is not a worthwhile purchase over pci-e.

Sorry I haven't done much research on the AM2, but won't they have their own specific 940 socket? In that case, you will be replacing your mobo a second time?

I think I'm trying to avoid buying interim parts, and more just moving toward a solid upgrade that I can stick with for awhile (hence avoiding the AGP video upgrade).

Thanks for the response.


EDIT: Also, what was your old video card, and how significant was the difference in performance in a video-card only upgrade?

 

[Bobthelost]

Well your build looks fine to me. If you want to wait for AM2 then go for it, but you can always wait for something newer...

 

[Yoshi911]

hrm... I'd probably just go for the 2x1gb............ + a BFG 6800gt AGP 256mb ($150-180) (Ebay)

You'll still have %75 market speed and it'll be a tiny upgrade which you can easily sell off for a similar price

Comes to $300 upgrade and most of the performance

 

[RaymondY]

Initially I was running a Chaintech VNF3-250(Nforce3) mobo with a 6800nu. Was getting a slow down when running the native resolution on my 17" LCD (1280x1024) when playing newer games (ie Doom3, FEAR, BF2).

Since switching to the the NF4/7800GT, I find that the 7800GT makes a world of difference. FEAR plays alot smoother! I think that my mobo/video card upgrade, that my 3400+ processer should be able to get me to next year when I will switch to the AM2 processers and DDR2.