Gaming Performance

[Kills On Site]

I am looking at upgrading the old computer soon. Aside from being faster I also want quieter, I currently have a Tornado in my computer. MY current specs are:

AMD Athlon XP running 2.16 (166x12.5)
1GB Corsair XMS DDR
BFG Tech 6800GT 256MB
74GB Western-Digital Raptor

Proposed Upgrades:
AMD Athlon 64 4000+ (socket 939, San Diego core)
BFG Tech 7600GT

I would perfer a 7800GT, but it is more expensive. My question is that since the 6800GT has a 256-bit memory interface and the 7600GT only has a 128-bit memory interface will it degrade my gaming performance as compared to my current system or just not be as big a performance jump until I can afford a better card?

[Captain]

Well, the last thing you'd want to do at this point and time is buy an incredibly expensive and amazing video card as soon DX10 will become the norm. What's the price difference between the 6800GT and 7600GT? You should also look into at least a 250GB HDD. I'd suggest the Western Digital Caviar 16 250GB SATA-II. I bought it for $92 here in Canada. Powerful and spacious SATA-II HDDs are well-priced these days.


EDIT: I'd also suggest a CPU with dual-core and 64-bit capabilities.

[Kills On Site]

I don't need a new HDD, this is basically a purely gaming computer, all my hard drive intensive stuff is one another computer. The reason I mention the graphics cards is the fact that my 6800GT is AGP, any socket 939 is PCI-E.

I was looking at the AMD socket AM2s, it would appear that getting that wouldn't be too bad, the only problem being that it requires DDR2-800, which is expensive. I could get an AM2 with a 3800+ single core or a 4200+ dual core. I think the AM2 is a more future proof plan, but the DDR2-800 would kill my wallet.

[Kills On Site]

Abit's site says that the mobo supports DDR2 533, 677, 800. Which would offer the best performance for a Athlon 64 4200+ dual core CPU? I never did understand the DDR2 specifications, I got DDR, but DDR2 is confusing.

[Captain]

DDR has speeds of 166, 266, 333, and 400. DDR2 has 533, 677, 800, etc. DDR 2 is newer and faster than DDR.

What exactly is your mobo? I've never been a fan of AMD so I'll do some snooping around for ya :icon32:

[Kills On Site]

I know that DDR2 is faster, but with DDR you could equate things easily, AMD 400 MHz FSB is DDR400. I think Iwill go for the Crucial Ballistix DDR2800 (PC2-6400) as it has lower latencies and is really the most readily available performance RAM. The mobo I am looking at is an ABit AN9 32X.

[axbaby]

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware ... 96729.html

I would say if you're --NOT-- planning on buying more RAM later then you might as well go 939. If, like me, there are plans to upgrade your RAM, then I would go for DDR2 since it's logical to think it's going to keep getting faster with new technologies. I KNOW this is not exactly performance related, but IMO it is a factor.

i have two computer ..
one with
cpu AMD 64x2 3800+ dual core DDR
mobo A8N-Sli
the other
cpu AMD 64x2 4200+ DDR2
mobo MSI K9MG2 DDR "YUKKY MOBO BAD MOBO BAD.. Can't tweak it"

i know the CPU isn't much faster but the ram
and mobo seems to make the difference.

i suggest going with DDR2 and and anything Asus

quake4 performance between both rigs
is much different

[AmIdYfReAk]

the videocard will be faster.. perioud...

And have you checked out the Intel Pentium D 805? Dual core 2.66Ghz, can be clocked SO EASLY, and can be had for the same/lower price then the AMD system that you are looking at?

And before you start, i still perfer AMD's, but intel wins in this catagory... there is no denying it.

and:

DDR has speeds of 166, 266, 333,400, 533, 550. DDR2 has 400, 533, 677, 800, etc. DDR 2 is newer and faster than DDR.

Fixed!

[Kills On Site]

Well I really want something more future proof then my last rig. I figure I can slowly add more RAM, hopefully topping 4 GB in the end. Also since AM2 is gonig to keep going it would be easier to upgrade the CPU sometime later next year.

[Foo]

Future proofing is a crock. I can't name the last time I did a significant upgrade without having to buy a whole new core system.

Buy the best you can afford at a time where you want/need it for immediate use. Don't try and build for what's around the corner, it's a mug's game.

[Captain]

the videocard will be faster.. perioud...

And have you checked out the Intel Pentium D 805? Dual core 2.66Ghz, can be clocked SO EASLY, and can be had for the same/lower price then the AMD system that you are looking at?

And before you start, i still perfer AMD's, but intel wins in this catagory... there is no denying it.

and:

DDR has speeds of 166, 266, 333,400, 533, 550. DDR2 has 400, 533, 677, 800, etc. DDR 2 is newer and faster than DDR.

Fixed!

:icon32:

Aye, that D 805 is absolutely amazing! Overclocked it to 3.2GHz and enabled performance mode on my gig of RAM because CPU overclocks tend to downclock RAM. Now even the RAM is faster, heh.

[Grudge]

I wouldn't bother with that upgrade KoS, you probably won't notice much of a difference. Not worth it IMO, unless you go for a 7900GT (or at least 7900GS) or better.

[Tormentius]

IMO wait on the vid card purchase until you can get a more worthwhile card. You know that you'll kick yourself for going for such an incremental video upgrade.