PC upgrade?

JakHammer · June 2007

Hey it's me again [:D]

Installed BF2 and it works [:0][8D] just the graphics are on 800x600 and ultra low settings. I wanna upgrade the pc but i dunno what to get. Been looking around at graphics cards and have come across the xfx7600gs AGP for around œ70 posted. Is this a good gfx card for playing BF2 and CSS? could you reccommend me anything better for œ100 or under, not bothered about the make, but it must be AGP.

Also need to upgrade the CPU to a 2ghz+. This is the sticking point cos i have a socket A mobo and it seems i can only go as high as an AMD Athlon 3200 which i think runs at about 2.2ghz. Plus i have to buy them second hand off ebay which im not too happy about.

So to get to the point, is it worth upgrading this at around œ140ish or buy a mobo cpu ram bundle and then a gfx card for a bit more? I'm willing to spend more on a new system than an upgrade. But I dunno what is best for gaming AMD or Intel? are dual processors all 64bit? what socket is best etc etc any help would be gratefully received.

My specs are:
Mobo nForce2 400 Socket A
FX 5200 gfx card
AMD Duron 1.3ghz
DDR 1gb ram pc3200 (geil)
380w psu

Thanks Jack [|)]

Mark of the JakHammer
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... erid=93666

Anonymous · June 2007

Buy a core2 duo motherboard and CPU. Buy 2gigs of DDR2 RAM, buy a large SATA hard disk, Get a decent PCI-express graphics card or two (SLI/Crossfire), 7600GT (minumum), and buy a bloody big power supply (I recommend TAGAN).
Install WinXP on it (for now) as it's compatability with games is currently better.

Then put them all together in a box.
Ignore the 64-bit issue if all you want to do is play games.

Oh, and post things like this in the sandbox.

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

JakHammer · June 2007

okies

Mark of the JakHammer
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... erid=93666

RobA · June 2007

No, he doesn't need to post things like this in the sandbox because all he will get is stupid answers, this is off topic so it is in the right forum.

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RobA

No, he doesn't need to post things like this in the sandbox because all he will get is stupid answers, this is off topic so it is in the right forum.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">But I asked for advice on what to look for in a BMX, and the thread got closed.

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

John · June 2007

Because BMX is ghey.

havent fallen off,
im just having a rest

Updated [:D] Glory Jackal

Safe as Fu<s></s>ck Pushbike Bullsh<s></s>it and Wideopen Mag.

RobA · June 2007

And BMX is considered biking and if you look in the bit under the title "Off Topic" it says non bike related. so what do you expect?

Anonymous · June 2007

Christ you're sticklers for rules round here aren't you?

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

John · June 2007

Hardly.

havent fallen off,
im just having a rest

Updated [:D] Glory Jackal

Safe as Fu<s></s>ck Pushbike Bullsh<s></s>it and Wideopen Mag.

RobA · June 2007

No I was just pointing out what he had done wrong.

Alchol, the cause of and solution to all of lifes problems!

Matt · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JakHammer

Hey it's me again [:D]

Installed BF2 and it works [:0][8D] just the graphics are on 800x600 and ultra low settings. I wanna upgrade the pc but i dunno what to get. Been looking around at graphics cards and have come across the xfx7600gs AGP for around œ70 posted. Is this a good gfx card for playing BF2 and CSS? could you reccommend me anything better for œ100 or under, not bothered about the make, but it must be AGP.

Also need to upgrade the CPU to a 2ghz+. This is the sticking point cos i have a socket A mobo and it seems i can only go as high as an AMD Athlon 3200 which i think runs at about 2.2ghz. Plus i have to buy them second hand off ebay which im not too happy about.

So to get to the point, is it worth upgrading this at around œ140ish or buy a mobo cpu ram bundle and then a gfx card for a bit more? I'm willing to spend more on a new system than an upgrade. But I dunno what is best for gaming AMD or Intel? are dual processors all 64bit? what socket is best etc etc any help would be gratefully received.

My specs are:
Mobo nForce2 400 Socket A
FX 5200 gfx card
AMD Duron 1.3ghz
DDR 1gb ram pc3200 (geil)
380w psu

Thanks Jack [|)]

Mark of the JakHammer
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... erid=93666
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How much do you have to spend total? Something like the XFX 7600
would be a very good buy, but if you can stretch your budget more you could build a new PC for about 300 quid. However, if you want to keep that machine alive for a while, get the 7600, another gig of RAM and the Athlon 3200. Your computer still wouldn't be amazing, but it'd be a lot better than before and you'd be able to play BF2 on the max settings I'd say.

You'll have to get the CPU off eBay though, I've had a look and can't find any socket A processors anywhere.

<hr noshade size="1">
Chaparral

JakHammer · June 2007

Cool, i think i'll just save up for a new system. That should only take about 2-3months [:D] (homebase pays well).

Still not clued as what would be a good system to get. I dont wanna buy something budget that'll get phased out in the near future. they max i'd wanna spend is about œ400 on a new system. but i dunno what's a good combination of hardware (obviously intel mobo with intel cpu etc)

Would i need a new PSU and case, just seems like a waste of money otherwise.

Mark of the JakHammer
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... erid=93666

Matt · June 2007

You wouldn't need a new case, but you may need a new PSU. What make is your current one? CPU's are currently using a lot less power than they used to, so you may be ok. Graphics cards tend to use more, but I reckon that you'd probably be ok with something like a 7600.

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Chaparral

ride_whenever · June 2007

Check out tomshardware, they've just put together some systems to budgets and tested them, absolute treasure trove of information.

My Scott

My Single Speed

Always remember to pick your Uni according to the local trails or you'll be stuck with nowhere to ride for three years!

JakHammer · June 2007

My PSU is a Sac or Jac (it's in funny font) ATX "switching power suppy" if that means anything. what's a good cpu speed to get for either amd or intel taht wont be outdate soon?

Mark of the JakHammer
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... erid=93666

JakHammer · June 2007

Hey, is this linky a reasonable/good system choice for the price? I got most of the spec off the monkeyware site (apart from the ram not sure about that one) I dont need a new disc drive or windows etc so i just took what i thought i would need. comments please [:D]

Mark of the JakHammer
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... erid=93666

Matt · June 2007

So you want to spend about 300 quid on those parts yes? I'll have a look and try to build you something better.

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Chaparral

Matt · June 2007

Ok, here you go. I'd get that over the spec you posted. It's slightly more expensive, but it's considerably better.

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Chaparral

creepz · June 2007

i picked up a dfi lnparty mobo rdx 200 plus opteron 146 was 2ghz now @ 2.7 on std air cooling plus hiper type m psu and gainward 7900gs for under œ250 which hooked up to my hdd's etc equals bf2 on full wack owning all over show buisness i wouldnt get a gfx card lower than that , ideally u can get next gen dx10 cards now they hve whole big range out , and as for graphics i love pc i dont even play on bro in laws 360 as it aint a patch on a good pc when it comes to fps games

JakHammer · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Matt

Ok, here you go. I'd get that over the spec you posted. It's slightly more expensive, but it's considerably better.

<hr noshade size="1">
Chaparral
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Isnt that system slower than the one i specced? if not can you explain how so?

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!

jamiejim · June 2007

The graphics card is?

JakHammer · June 2007

a 7600 is better than a 8600? when did that happen?

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!

Tataka · June 2007

bf2 is bad xD get source

MaRk

JakHammer · June 2007

i have countrestrike:source foo' i'll be playing taht too [:D] (probably more as it never gets old1111!!!! 31337)

Another thing is i just received some money in premium bonds prizes. that that's gonna go into it making my price range more œ450ish. Seeing the other topic though i may wait till july 22nd and get it cheaper.

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!

Matt · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JakHammer

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Matt

Ok, here you go. I'd get that over the spec you posted. It's slightly more expensive, but it's considerably better.

<hr noshade size="1">
Chaparral
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Isnt that system slower than the one i specced? if not can you explain how so?

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The processor has a lower clock speed, but these days there is a lot more to processors than just clock speed. Performance wise it's superior to the AMD.

As for the graphics card, the 8600 range are basically a joke. The top end 8600GTS's don't outperform the older 7600GT's and are even beaten in a lot of benchmarks by them. The GTS is also ~140 quid, when you could get a 8800GTS, which are awesomely powerful, for ~180. The only thing that the 8600 has over the 7600 is DX10, and personally I think that's a bit of a marketing gimmick at the moment.

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Chaparral

jamiejim · June 2007

I think DX10 has potential, but only if someone finds a way to port it on XP, Vista isnt worth getting just for DX10

rubber side up · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jamiejim

I think DX10 has potential, but only if someone finds a way to port it on XP, Vista isnt worth getting just for DX10
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

But crysis is worth getting vista for. if only i could afford it [:(]

<hr noshade size="1"><center><blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by EvilAlex

Something round here tastes bad. Could be plain old bad taste.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></center>www.mtb-bitz.co.uk - Bitz for you & your mountain bike. pinkbike

jamiejim · June 2007

vista is only œ50

JakHammer · June 2007

ok so no to a 8600 and AMD are not the best anymore. Righto will see. so Intel Intel Pentium D 935 (3.2ghz) Socket 775 is core duo? but is cheaper than a 6600 core duo cpu :S im confused

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!

Matt · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JakHammer

ok so no to a 8600 and AMD are not the best anymore. Righto will see. so Intel Intel Pentium D 935 (3.2ghz) Socket 775 is core duo? but is cheaper than a 6600 core duo cpu :S im confused

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Pentium D's are old technology though, and were never especially good. Whilst they may be clocked really high, it didn't really translate into as much performance that you can now get at half the speed with the new processor architecture.

<hr noshade size="1">
Chaparral

JakHammer · June 2007

How about this system? here i want to not have to upgrade the system within the next system and keep playing new games on reasonable settings, plus i want it for a bit of video editing.

Mark of the JakHammer
BlingBling!

PC upgrade?

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