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Okay, so i'm looking to prolong the enevitable
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:27 am
by Scarface
asus a7n8x-e
AMD 3200+
512 mb pc3000 single channel
ti4200 agp
So, now, obviously my comp is dated, however, i don't as of yet have the funds for a full upgrade, but i do for 2 small upgrades.
I was thinking going to a 6800gs and 2gb dual channel ddr pc3200. However, I do eventually want to upgrade to pci-e in about a years time. decent decision? Or should I just tough it out a bit 'till I can go to an AMD X2 set-up and the next nvidia card?
Bassically i'm asking is if a mid-ranged vid card and 2 gb of ram will last another year or so?
edit: another question, will my cpu bottleneck this vid card?
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:44 am
by dzjepp
Well it will serve you much better than the gf4 you have now, which is the current bottleneck. If you get the new stuff you should be able to play todays games with decent settings (prolly not with everything on ultra high though) but it should work ok on respectable settings...
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:52 am
by Kills On Site
The RAM and 6800GS will definately level the system, to say get rid of bottlenecks. That will help the system good for a year or so I'd say. The CPU won't reall bottleneck it, perhaps you'd get better on a newer CPU, but it isn't anywhere near a severe bottleneck. I'd go with what you have planned.
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:56 am
by Scarface
My only problem, is the ram issue. Should i go ddr2 or stay pc3200?
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:04 am
by Bdw3
You would need a DDR2 capable motherboard first. 
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:06 am
by Scarface
the a7n8x wont take pc4000?
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:10 am
by Kills On Site
No, you need DDR for a DDR mobo, not only will DDR2 not fit into the slot as it is not the same size, your north bridge wouldn't recognize it anyway. Your best bet is DDR400 (PC3200) as it matches your FSB.
BTW, if you are talking about DDR2 then it would ne PC2-4200. Now they make a DDR500 (PC4000) but I still say as far as cost to benefit goes, DDR400 (PC3200) is your best choice.
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:45 am
by Foo
From looking at your options, I think you're best saving until you can perform a full overhaul of motherboard, CPU, GPU and Memory.
None of what you could buy now as an upgrade will be useful when you move to the newer form factors of stuff.
Also, that ti4200 isn't going to be that bad for another 6 months. It probably won't take UT07, but everything up until now has run acceptably on one.
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:00 am
by Captain
Computer prices have been decreasing lately :icon26: