Computer Upgrades

[murcielago]

Hello

Im planning on upgrading my computer from this:

1.1GHz AMD Athlon
256MB PC2700 RAM
nVidia Geforce 4 MX 440
Soundblaster Live 5.1 Soundcard

to this:

AMD Athlon XP 2800+ 333MHz FSB
512 PC2700 RAM
ATi Radeon 9800 PRO
Soundblaster Live 5.1 Soundcard

I can basically get the new components (graphics card, RAM, processor and new motherboard) for about £200 and was wondering if this seems worth it? Also what sort of performance increase would i see in it?

Thanks

[Nxs]

Seems well worth it to me. I am no hardware expert, but I would guess you will not a drastic increase in performance. :D

[matreox]

Well. The processor and graphics card is a DEFINITE improvement. But if I was you try and upgrade to 1gb RAM, but if thats not possible 512MB should be fine. The 9800Pro will provide you with much more gaming enjoyment than that old brick :P

[MarvleZ]

i would buy 1024 mb ram,most of the new games coming this year will have minimum of 512 mb,and instead of 9800 pro,which costs like 120 euro,i would buy x700 for 144 euro or x700pro for 180 euro or x800ve for 200 euro...the rest is fine...you would be paying 100,150 euro max extra...

[murcielago]

Originally posted by matreox@Aug 22 2005, 03:34 PM
The 9800Pro will provide you with much more gaming enjoyment than that old brick :P
i liked my old brick, it runs half life 2 at like 20fps- on no detail at all and uber low res! :bucky!:

anyways il go for the new processor and il try get 1024Mb ram but i dont reckon icould afford the x700 is there a significant performance increase??

[BLACK KNIGHT]

going from mx 440, which i used to have, and upgrading to a 9800 pro, which i currently have, is like upgrading from a sega genesie 32-bit, to the xbox. You will definatley see a big preformance increase. Just turning the resolution up on a game and have it still running great is a good feeling. I do get some low fps now and again on CS:S, but i play on a server with 40+ people, so thats where my GPU is focusing on. I ran the CS:S video stress test and got around 75 fps. This is my current system:

2.8 Ghz processor
512 pc3200 and 256 pc2700(had it laying around and a free slot)
9800 pro
logitech mx510(damn good mouse)
logitech z5500 speakers
then other hdd, cd drives etc...

[JMS]

oh yes my friend

mx440 is stone age comparing :)

[PBond12]

You should see a marked improvement in the visual quality you can enjoy while playing games. The ram might end up slowing you down, but it will certainly be better than 256. Good choice for the gfxcard though, I have one myself and it's worked great for me.

[murcielago]

why would it slow me down, is 1Gb still not enough?

final question, because im changing from nVidia to ATi obviously im gonna have to get rid of the nVidia drivers. do i install the new card with the nvidia drivers still installed or remove the nvidia drivers first and then install the 9800??

thanks

[BLACK KNIGHT]

uninstall old drivers(while nvidia card is in) turn off comp, take card out. Put ATI in, start up computer. You should get a disc of drivers with the vid. card. go into bios and make the boot order so that CD is first before HD and floppy. Then before you get to windows it will run the drivers disk.

OR

uninstall old drivers, turn off comp, take out card, put new card in, star up comp, let windows load(will have crappy resolution), load drivers from disk there, or go onto the internet and get the omega drivers.

Ive done the process both ways, I dont think it really matters.

[murcielago]

thanks everyone now i just need 2 go and find time to buy the stuff and install it! :P

[AntiHero]

How much are you paying for the 9800Pro, because i found a X800GT and a 6600GT for around the same price as a 9800Pro.

[Max Payne89]

I`ve got an AMD64 3000+ socket 939
motherboard Asus939 NFORCE4 ASUS (A8N-SLI)
ATI X800 PCI-Express
Hdd 250gb WD
1Gb Ram (512x2) Corsair

I`m very pleased .
I`ve got a super computer:))

[murcielago]

Originally posted by AntiHero@Aug 24 2005, 09:31 PM
How much are you paying for the 9800Pro, because i found a X800GT and a 6600GT for around the same price as a 9800Pro.
£80 there or there abouts, can u get those other cards for cheaper??

thanks

[KamisoriX]

make sure you use a reg cleaning tool after deinstalling the Nvidea drivers.

Genesis 32 bit...that must be the special limited of 0 edition... :D