26 replies to this topic

[Aziz]

Hey, guys, im not a big specialist in computers, so i was wondering if i could have some advice on upgrading my computer.

My computer is not top class, and probable far from it, i honestly dont know where it stands.
i have
a 2.4GHz Intel Pentium 4
512 Ram (2X256)
nVIDIA FX 5200 128MB
80Gb HD
Biostar P4M266a 533 Mainboard
and other sh*t that comes with a computer, like monitors and keyboards
dont know about my sound card, its built in.

so, i want to get an extra 1GB of Ram and first a video card (ill get the sound card later)

so what are some good videocards out there that are reasonable in price (prefferably not a lot more than a 100$, if thats possible).

thanks, guys.

[kidcapri]

Get the radeon 9800 or the Geforce 6600. The radeon 9800 i have seen from $100 - $250. The Geforce 6600 i have seen from $100 - $160. I dont know which one is better since i skipped over both of them and got the 6800. You should ask around and read reviews. I know these are over a hundred dollars but i think i would just go ahead and get one of these or go higher. You may not want to go lower since there are a lot of graphically amazing games coming out now. There is nothing better than being able too run a game at its full potential. Anyways good luck on your search for a better video card.




Try www.newegg.com or www.pricewatch.com

Edited by kidcapri, 18 June 2005 - 07:16 PM.

[S.W.A.T. 2.0]

If you're shooting for about $100 try and find a used 9800 Pro on a forum somewhere. The next step up would be a used 6600 GT/X700 Pro 256.

Try www.anandtech.com

[IWantWhiteCastle]

heh i have the same processor

[Aziz]

thanks guys, ill look in to that

[Aziz]

is this a good deal?

http://www.newegg.co...82E16814102379R

[Riel]

I'd say it is

[DarkShadow]

pretty good.... shud run CSS and such fine.

[monster]

I'll sell you my 9800 pro for $100 US! That's like $2000 Canadian!


J/K

[Aziz]

will that one run BF2 and such?

[Riel]

yah it will, I'd get it

[secondshadow]

ehhh im goin pricey when i get my new vid card, it might b from nvidea, but they have 512mb memory size which ati doesnt so like ati's screwed until they can get 512mb mem size heres the one i wanna get http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121198

[angrybrit]

Hey, guys, im not a big specialist in computers, so i was wondering if i could have some advice on upgrading my computer.

My computer is not top class, and probable far from it, i honestly dont know where it stands.
i have
a 2.4GHz Intel Pentium 4
512 Ram (2X256)
nVIDIA FX 5200 128MB
80Gb HD
Biostar P4M266a 533 Mainboard
and other sh*t that comes with a computer, like monitors and keyboards
dont know about my sound card, its built in.

so, i want to get an extra 1GB of Ram and first a video card (ill get the sound card later)

so what are some good videocards out there that are reasonable in price (prefferably not a lot more than a 100$, if thats possible).

thanks, guys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I found your problem in your setup.

---> Biostar P4M266a 533 Mainboard <---

GET RID OF IT. It's got a ultra slow northbridge chipset. Get an ASUS P4P800 or an Intel D865PERL mobo. It's gonna fix all your problems for you PC.

[Aziz]

ehhh im goin pricey when i get my new vid card, it might b from nvidea, but they have 512mb memory size which ati doesnt so like ati's screwed until they can get 512mb mem size heres the one i wanna get http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121198

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LoL
700$ ?!

...close to a 100$!

[Aziz]

I found your problem in your setup.

---> Biostar P4M266a 533 Mainboard <---

GET RID OF IT.  It's got a ultra slow northbridge chipset.  Get an ASUS P4P800 or an Intel D865PERL mobo.  It's gonna fix all your problems for you PC.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

there are many ASUS P4P800's.. should i just get the most expensive one for a 100$?

[Aziz]

thanks guys, i appreciate your help.
you are the best

Edited by Aziz, 21 June 2005 - 06:45 PM.

[angrybrit]

there are many ASUS P4P800's.. should i just get the most expensive one for a 100$?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No. Get the ASUS P4P800-X. It's cheap and works great.

[IWantWhiteCastle]

will that one run BF2 and such?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

bf2's graphics are pretty nuts on the highest settings, may not work all that well.

[tonytnnt]

I'm still pissed about my TI4200 not being able to run BF2...

But yeah, here's what you should upgrade and in order:

Video Card
Memory (you can get another gig for 1.5 total if you want, but you could do 1 gig total as well)
Then I'd do motherboard and CPU at the same time, that way you're not dumping more money into a dead socket (yes, socket 478, is almost, not quite, but almost dead.)

Or if you plan on doing the CPU and Mobo anyways, then might as well just do a full system upgrade and get a PCI-Express video card, PCI-Express mobo (maybe one that supports SLI or Crossfire) then get a video card that you could hook up in a SLI or Crossfire configuration in the future. So for nVidia, 6600GT, 6800GT, and 6800Ultra (right? I can't remember if those are the only three) and for ATI you'd be looking at Radeon X800 or above.

A full system upgrade is a lot more expensive, but if you put money into it now, it'll last longer than if you piece it together over time. If that makes sense... it's 2 am and I've been up since 9. and I have to wake up at 9 tomorrow. I should get some sleep...

[Aziz]

hmm, ok.
how much do you think is a full-system upgrade.. i dont think i have that kind of money, and ill need money to shape up my car. ill probably end up upgrading piece by piece, but im just curious, maybe ill do it this summer.