Is a graphic card worth the upgrade?

[simo77]

My system:

P4 2.4Ghz 533fsb
512mb DDR333 (will upgrade to 1gig)
Geforce 5900 agp vanilla

I can not upgrade my cpu because I have a MSI 648 mb that can not take HT or 800mhz fsb. I guess I could get a new board and processor, but then I might as well do a whole new build.

So would it be a worthwile upgrade to go to a better agp card and 512mb more ram or should I just let this system go? I probably won't be able to do a new build for another year or more.

If I do upgrade the graphics card, what is the best AGP card I can get now? I was looking at the 6800 vanilla, the 6800gt, and the 6600. I don't think they make the 6600gt in agp.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

The X850XT is the best you can get now, the X1800XL (maybe XT) might become the best you can get if others bring it forward.

And yes they do make GF6600GTs in AGP format.

 

[simo77]

So is my system worth a graphics upgrade or should I keep holding off?

Also, I looked up the X850XT and the X800 and they're a little outa my price league. I'd like to stay around $200. At that price point which card do you guys think is best?

 

[Nights_L]

I would say P4 2.4GHz 533FSB with 1GB ram and an upgraded graphic card, should provide enough performance for a while.
Oh, I'm not sure if your motherboard support for Dual channel (lazy to search, sry), if it does, then don't forget to do dual channel for P4!

 

[simo77]

I don't mean to sound like a complete idiot but I'll go ahead anyway... What do you mean dual channel? How does that work?

 

[dannyaa]

They make a 6600gt in AGP.

As a point of reference, I have a 6600gt, 1gb RAM, A64 3000+ and I can play FEAR at 1024x768 with medium & maximum settings at a playable framerate on it. However I know the 6600gt will be borderline soon and you'd be much better off with a 6800gt for the next year if you can afford it.

The 6800GT (which is basically the same as the new 6800gs) comes in AGP, so if you could find a 6800GT for around $200 agp that would be the best choice for you. Or an ATI x800XL if they have those in AGP (anyone know?) - should be about the same price. At that point go with the cheaper one.


512mb more RAM will help a lot.

The 2.4 will be borderline but it will get you through until you can afford to upgrade. If need be, for about $225 you could get an A64 3200+ w/basic mobo and then you'd be able to get a PCI-Express card and could still use the same RAM/case/PSU (whats your PSU btw?). Of course that also doubles your budget, but ah, such is life.


In short, yes, if you want enjoy the newer games but can't afford a full system upgrade for another year... well then of course its worth it to double your RAM and upgrade the video. You'll see a big jump with the new gfx and while the proc is getting to be near min-specs for some newer FPS games, it will get you through... and most of the load falls on the gfx card anyway. But you'll probably want to upgrade next fall to a dual core CPU, 2gb RAM, & the next "8000 series" of graphics card when they come out...

 

[simo77]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

I have a 500W FSP Blue Storm as my Power Supply.

I found a evga GF6800(vanilla not GT) 128mb for $164 at Newegg. For the price I don't think I can find a better deal. The X800XL and Pro are about $280 and $250 or more and the only GF6800GTs that I've found in AGP are around $325.

 

[dannyaa]

check the benchmarks on the 6800 vanilla first

Your PSU is good, you'll be able to support any PCI-E video card ya throw at it.

If I were you, I would be tempted to spend a little extra and get a refurbed socket 939 nforce4 motherboard & an athlon64 3000+

$60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130491R

$130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

I've never really had any problem with refurb stuff, almost as good as new IMO and when on a budget, can't beat the price. You could save $15 more by getting a refurb 3000+ but refurbed procs, well, sometimes it nice to have them new instead.


Here's why. Sure, you spend $190 more, but your platform is good for an upgrade in a year. You can then easily swap in an X2 4400+ or higher for cheap when the prices come way down after socket M2 is released. Your PSU is good, so no reason to buy a whole new rig. You can support new PCI-E cards & dual core no problem. The 3000+ is way cheap and will be a better gaming processor than your current; plus its temporary until you get a high speed X2 proccessor in late 2006 / early 2007 for cheap.

Your RAM is compatible.

This also allows you to get a PCI-Express card. You could get a 6800gs for $200 which will be much better than the 6800 vanilla. Or, you could get a X1600 Pro for $150 I hear as ATI just dropped the price to compete - a GREAT value... but PCI-Express only.



If that sounds like too much, consider that you could sell your current mobo & proc on Craigs list or ebay and probably recoup a chunk of your cost. Overall it wont cost you that much more, and plus it will give you a cheaply upgradeable platform that you should be more than happy with for quite some time (once you put a dual core in a year down the road, and then you can add in faster graphics cuz of PCI-E).


That makes the most sense to me taking into consideration both overall cost and performance. And you'll be saving a year down the road too when it only costs $200 to put in a fast X2 and double your CPU-performance.

 

[simo77]

aww crap, now you got me thinking. Seriously though, thanks for you thoughts. I'll check into what you have mentioned.