Upgrading from AGP - Building around a 8800 GTS

[kamolahy]

So I currently have a system using the AGP form. It's not so good. The machine doesn't support DDR2 and gets decent performance. Here are the specs...

Processor: Intel Pentium D 2.66 Dual Core
Mobo: Biostar P4M800-M7A
Memory: 2 GB DDR
Video Card: Radeon X1950 Pro 512 MB AGP

SO I want to upgrade to the PCI-E Nvidia 8800 GTS... I read here that the 320 GTS is good enough unless you're going to real high resolutions. I'm okay sacrificing that, as my monitor is small. I would like to get a 22 incher eventually though.

I have about $600-$1000 to play with. I want some input so I could know the best motherboard and memory to get for this setup. I'm not totally adept at building computers, but have messed around with it before.

I was thinking I could keep my Pentium unless someone can convince me that I need a new one.

Thanks for your help! I really need it! I'm afraid I'll buy something incompatible!

 

[bruce555]

Wait. Your system isn't that bad so I'd wait. You got 2gig's and a dual core (the crappiest one) with the best agp card you could get. I'd wait for a refresh on the DX10 cards right now.

 

[spotless]

you better start by buying 22'' Lcd first, then upgrading your rig later, try update your drivers.

 

[emp]

OC your pentium and graphics card and hold until the HD 2900 is properly reviewed. Also, that's not the best AGP card, it's the GeCube X1950XT AGP.

 

[bruce555]

Blah, the only thing I was saying is that he doesn't have a 6600GT or something like that.

 

[andybird123]

Right now isn't the best time to be buying a graphics card, I'd wait a month or so and wait for the dust to settle on all the G92 is/isn't next gen rumours (it's coming in early november so real info should start appearing sometime in October).

 

[kamolahy]

Well my system really lags... but I'm guessing it's the slow memory. I really at want to upgrade my Mobo so I can fit DDR2 memory in there. If I did, I'd get a Mobo that could take PCI-E, therefore needing a new GPU.

Still a bad idea?

 

[bruce555]

Where does it lag?!

 

[kamolahy]

What do you mean where? Like in what games? Or when?

 

[kamolahy]

is it dead?

 

[bruce555]

@ what settings and res with what game? Sorry I just still think that your setup should last you until some newer cards come out. But it's your money. What kind of PSU do you have. Can your current handle a 8800 gts?

 

[kamolahy]

No, don't be sorry. I need the input.

I use a 600 W PSU.

I run a number of games, but here's what leads me to believe that it's the memory holding me back.

I played Titan Quest for awhile. I put the settings at max and they were getting about 20-25 fps. Then I turned off shadows, AA, all that... and the FPS was basically the same. The FPS would go down when there were a lot of effects and animations on the screen.

Right now I'm playing Half Life 2, Team Fortress 2, and Vanguard. I realize Vanguard just has a terrible time and is notorious for being graphically hard on a system. But even HL2 seems to run fine at times but then gets bad frame rates at times of many animations etc.

My roommate has a Nvidia 6600 or soemthing like that and gets the same frame rates on a higher resolution!🙁

 

[bruce555]

Your memory isn't holding you back, that's for sure. I'm guessing you have updated all your drivers.

Is it some gerneric ddr400? That system should be able to run any source engine game really well. There has to be another problem. The DDR will not bottleneck your system that much.

If you wait, you have penryn, 9X00 series and to look forward to.

Estimated penryn prices
Q9300 ~ $290
G9X ~ $350
MOBO ~ $150
DDR2 Ram ~ $120
Tot:$910 + Tax.

 

[kamolahy]

Drivers are updated.

I'm not sure what G9X represents.

 

[bruce555]

The next series of nvidia cards. Allot has been floating around about what the actual chip is called (the 8800's are called G80) so I just put 'x'.

Well what settings are you playing at in HL2?

 

[bliq]

wait. don't wait. it's up to you.

But if you will upgrade, a couple points...

Is your 600W PSU of the latest ATX variety (24pin power, PCI-E connectors)?

Some P35 and G33 chipset boards will not work with that Pentium D 805. I don't really understand it but I've run across it- perhaps it's an intentional BIS issue.

Otherwise, you're good to go. personally, I find the gigabyte boards a good value for the money, and the ECS boards aren't bad if money's tight.