Upgrade Recommendations

[Mattlock]

Well its been a long while since I've perused the forums for upgrades.

Here's my current system: (have had it for a couple of years now...been working fine)

Motherboard: Asus A7V600x, (via KT600)
CPU: Athlon XP (slightly overclocked to 1955mhz)
RAM: 1024mb (2x512mb DDR -SDRAM PC3200)
Video Card ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder 8500

I just purchased a 22 inch samsung flatpanel monitor it is obvious that I need to upgrade my VIDEO card to get better graphics.

I play games (battlefield 2, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty etc) occassionally but mostly interne and office application.

Question:
As a first step upgrade what would be the best bang for buck for an AGP Card?
Probably want to keep it to $150-$200 max price.

thanks
Mattlock

 

[AzN]

You don't have much choice other than this card for AGP.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102711

 

[taltamir]

with this kind of system you should do a complete refresh... Upgrading individual components on a system that old is just throwing away money.

Here is a complete system I designed for 750$:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2125624&enterthread=y

You can also take off 80$ if you keep your own case and DVD drive... shave another 90 by choosing 2GB of ram instead of 4... etc...

 

[Mattlock]

Originally posted by: Azn


You don't have much choice other than this card for AGP.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102711

thanks ANZ... Would it make more sense to spend 400-500 and upgrade my entire system (MB, CPU, RAM, Video?). If I did my upgrade in a two step process would this card me transferable to the newer MBs? Like I said I am very much out of touch on the latest and greatest component formats...

thanks

 

[Mattlock]

Originally posted by: taltamir
with this kind of system you should do a complete refresh... Upgrading individual components on a system that old is just throwing away money.

Here is a complete system I designed for someone:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2125624&enterthread=y

thanks for the idea Taltamir.... Can I get a decent upgrade for $500? that's about my budget for now...

thanks

 

[AzN]

Not everyone wants to drop money on new computers. I don't think the guy plays too many games at all.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: Mattlock

Originally posted by: Azn


You don't have much choice other than this card for AGP.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102711

thanks ANZ... Would it make more sense to spend 400-500 and upgrade my entire system (MB, CPU, RAM, Video?). If I did my upgrade in a two step process would this card me transferable to the newer MBs? Like I said I am very much out of touch on the latest and greatest component formats...

thanks

No you can't transfer since this is a AGP card. Newer boards come with PCI-E slots for video cards.

For $500 you can easily do it. If you know how to put together a system I can help you with parts that's not going to break the bank.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Mattlock

Originally posted by: taltamir
with this kind of system you should do a complete refresh... Upgrading individual components on a system that old is just throwing away money.

Here is a complete system I designed for someone:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2125624&enterthread=y

thanks for the idea Taltamir.... Can I get a decent upgrade for $500? that's about my budget for now...

thanks

Easily... the prices I suggested are for quick items from newegg... if you look around at tiger direct, zipzoomfly, mwave, etc for each part you will find sales on various parts...

For the ram you can go with 2GB instead of 4, ESPECIALLY if you are planning to use XP... in which case its any 70$ ram with 40$ rebate (most rams are with 40$ rebate right now) so that shaves another 90$ off the price tag... and if you have a case and DVD drive you can use take off another 80 dollars... With sufficient shopping around (and possibly going for a cheaper CPU and even a BETTER video card) you can get it at 500$.

If you post your specific situation in that thread I am sure people could help you design what is just right for you

 

[Syntax Error]

It's a lot easier to upgrade now than it was a year ago, RAM used to be freaking expensive, but now you can find deals for $20 2GB PC6400 deals with a $40 MIR...it's insane, it used to be $120 for 1GB of the same RAM a year ago! Mobos aren't too bad either, a good DS3L for $90 will do you good a long time, along with an 8800GT (for $250-ish if you can find a good deal). Processor should be able to fit that budget as well, and you've got yourself a decent computer for $500-600.

 

[bryanW1995]

you can save even more with a 3850 for $179 instead of 250 for an 8800gt. the 3850 will handle light gaming like that mentioned very well and keep the budget under control, too.

 

[AzN]

I swear some of these posters sound like advertisements.

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: Azn
I swear some of these posters sound like advertisements.

yeah it's cause they are always posting the same cheese over and over again.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: j0j081

Originally posted by: Azn
I swear some of these posters sound like advertisements.

yeah it's cause they are always posting the same cheese over and over again.

Thats because we are doing exactly what salesmen do, we are convincing him to buy... the only difference is that he actually asked our advice.

 

[AzN]

Why would you do what salesman do? Do you get commission?

Anyone asks question you and few others automatically give them the same old reply. Get a 8800gt. Get a 3850. Get a 3870. yada yada yada...

People here should give some thought of what he really needs instead of giving them with a same old reply.

 

[taltamir]

he really needs a faster gaming machine.. an athlon XP is ancient, and if he wants to upgrade then buying a new video is not gonna cut it... he is still gonna be unable to play new games like crysis... Not even on lowest setting...

So he needs a whole new system.

 

[osage]

" I play games (battlefield 2, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty etc) occassionally but mostly interne and office application. "

given his usage, a good AGP card from the F/S forum would be fine for him. I've seen a few X800/850XT and PE cards cheap as well as some others that would be a mjajor upgrade in the video department.
Spend a few bucks and enjoy what you have for a while and save for a complete upgrade in a few months.

not everyone NEEDS to have a 3ghz quad with 4gb of ram and the latest 9900GTSX Pro video card.

 

[AzN]

I think he needs more memory and add another 1 gig stick. If he was satisfied with a Radeon 8500 up until his new monitor then he would be more than satisfied with 2600xt which would quad triple his performance for $115.