Would upgrading my graphics card help this deadbeat pc?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

richwenzel

Member
Sep 19, 2007
172
0
0
Hello and thank you for reading this.

I have an old pc, pentium 4 3.0 Northwood, AGP slot only (with a 9800xt with 128megs), 2 gigs of unpaired generic ram, crappy power source, windows xp sp2, 22" Chimei monitor (which was a great deal at $200)

Would upgrading to a 2600xt, X1950pro, 7800gs make a noticeable difference?

I don't really want to spend more than $100-$150 on the card.

I play a decent amount of video games, such as WoW, GW, UT, etc. I mostly play at 1440x900, would like to go a bit higher if I could, but fps suffers a lot at that res...

I may just give in and blow 1500 or so and buy a new pc, but id rather wait until feb/march...

Just to note, this pc even after buying another pc, will still be up and running.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Best regards,
Rich
 
ConstipatedVigilante

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,670
1
0
Yes, it would help. Pentium 4's suck, but a 3ghz processor is typically fine for games, most of which are GPU-reliant. I don't know if your PSU would be able to handle any of the cards you listed, though. Could you list the type?
 
R

richwenzel

Member
Sep 19, 2007
172
0
0
Thank you for replying.

It's 230watts, not sure of brand, its an IBM. PC was a gift a few years ago for going back to grad school. Eons and Eons ago, I did build my own pcs (Talking about when 1 meg a ram came down to $50 and people were damn happy!!!)
 
AzN

AzN

Banned
Nov 26, 2001
4,112
2
0
Originally posted by: richwenzel
Thank you for replying.

It's 230watts, not sure of brand, its an IBM. PC was a gift a few years ago for going back to grad school. Eons and Eons ago, I did build my own pcs (Talking about when 1 meg a ram came down to $50 and people were damn happy!!!)
Click to expand...

It wouldn't handle a 1950pro. I'm surprised your PS can handle a p4 and a 9800pro.
 
onlyCOpunk

onlyCOpunk

Platinum Member
May 25, 2003
2,532
1
0
With a PSU upgrade and a new video card it's going to be more then $150 so it just depends if the price you will pay for these 2 things is worth the computers last months. I would say go for it if you have the money because if you're like me it will be eating away in the back of your mind. Once I get the upgrade itch, nothing can really stop me.
 
AzN

AzN

Banned
Nov 26, 2001
4,112
2
0
2600pro is far worst than a 1950pro. Those 2 power supplies are junk. Rosewill is better though with 27amp but quality? NO>>>>>
 
K

kmmatney

Diamond Member
Jun 19, 2000
4,363
1
81
M

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
5,664
0
0
Definately look around for a antec earthwatts 430/500w PSU, with some luck you'll get it for less then 50$ like at fry's. But I wouldn't upgrade both the PSU and buy a AGP videocard for 150$. It's a stopgap solution, you're better of with a new rig. I personaly don't see the use for waiting till feb/march. Only thing might be the new nvidia cards that come out, but Penryn isn't going to blow Conroe away, and phenom, well, phenom is coming out real soon, so if you want to see how phenom performs, just wait 1 more month, then buy whatever you like.
 
AzN

AzN

Banned
Nov 26, 2001
4,112
2
0
Yeah I agree with Marc.

It's a good time to buy a rig. Ram prices have fallen. There are cheap core 2 duo to be had. You can pretty much build a decent rig for $600 right now that performs really well than what you have now.

case and power $100
2 gigs. $65
core 2 duo $100
mobo $100
dvd-r $30
Hard drive $70-100

That's pretty much a whole system right there. You can pick up a cheap radeon 1900gt or wait until November to build a system when the new vid cards hit for $200-250. Which would be twice as fast as the 1900gt.
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
Your 9800xt (60 watts) uses more power then the 7600gt (35watts) so you should be fine. I'd say grab a 7600gt. It should be twice as fast.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom