Computer Re-hash

[Pyroclazm]

Current gear
EVGA 256-P2-N518 GeForce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI
EVGA 133-K8-NF41 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
G.SKILL 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory Model (x4 = 2gb)
Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W SmartPower 2.0 Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.0GHz Socket 939 Single-Core Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX

I run @ 1920x1200

My current dilemma is Warhammer Online. I don't see a lack of framerate besides pvp scenarios the fps drop like whoa. This is mainly a gaming box and I'm thinking of upgrading just the video card, however the mobo does not support pci xp 2.0 and it appears most all cards now days are going with that. I do play some FPS css/tf2 but have no problems with either and this setup.

I purchased the 7800gt when it was brand new ($300 n some), however now days it seems to stay behind the high end curve and go with the $100.00 cards that can still tackle just about anything out. I'm just wondering if it's worth upgrading only video card, or spending $400-500 and getting the whole bundle of mobo/cpu/vid card/ram. (pref to keep the same case/power supply). Looking for any kind of advice. Thanks.

 

[DSF]

PCI-e 2.0 cards are backwards compatible. However, your CPU is behind the power curve as well. If you turn the graphics down does gameplay improve? It may be a CPU issue as much as a graphics card one.

 

[Pyroclazm]

Thanks for the PCI-E info, I did a little digging, should of been able to find that easier.

In game with any of the res/settings turned down or up I still see the pvp scenario lag and it is not just the normal INC lag, it maintains throughout the pvp encounters which is what boggles me. I have downloaded the mods that reduce the cooldown timer refresh rates which helped somewhat, I'm merely trying to find out if its worth doing upgrades or a single upgrade. Prices seem to fairly cheap, and the money isn't too big of a deal. I'm just not going to roll like I use to and every other year drop $1200.00 on a rig when it seems you're only on the lead of the curve for a month and you're stuck eating a bunch of cash when you could of just got whats "last years trend" and still had a solid rig.

 

[Denithor]

The fact you don't see an improvement with lower resolution indicates you're cpu-bound. So just throwing in a faster video card may help some but it won't really solve the problem.

e5200 ($80) + P43 mobo ($75) + 4GB DDR2 ($50) + 9800GT ($100) or 4850 ($150) = gaming goodness.

But I would suggest a new powersupply, those can go bad and the likelihood increases with each year of service. And I've seen more than one take out large portions of a system when they burn up. Maybe pick up an Antec Sonata III (with Earthwatts 500W PS included) for about $100. Then throw in a WD6400AAKS ($75) + DVD burner ($25) and you've got a complete new system for $500-550. Sell your old system intact (ebay/craigslist/FS forums) to recover some of the cash.

 

[Pyroclazm]

Originally posted by: Denithor
The fact you don't see an improvement with lower resolution indicates you're cpu-bound. So just throwing in a faster video card may help some but it won't really solve the problem.

e5200 ($80) + P43 mobo ($75) + 4GB DDR2 ($50) + 9800GT ($100) or 4850 ($150) = gaming goodness.

But I would suggest a new powersupply, those can go bad and the likelihood increases with each year of service. And I've seen more than one take out large portions of a system when they burn up. Maybe pick up an Antec Sonata III (with Earthwatts 500W PS included) for about $100. Then throw in a WD6400AAKS ($75) + DVD burner ($25) and you've got a complete new system for $500-550. Sell your old system intact (ebay/craigslist/FS forums) to recover some of the cash.

Thanks Denithor thats the route I'm gonna head.

 

[PHeller]

Sounds very similar to my system currently. 1.8ghz Sempron, 7600GT, 1gb ram blah blah OLD

Denithor, what's the life span of the system you mentioned previously?