Gta Gamer. Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Well it appears that the next generation of games are needing bigger and better specs. As an example BF2 and it's 1024mb ram and 256mb graphics card needs. At this present moment in time I'm running a stock from the factory unit. AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83Ghz) 256mb PC2700 DDR Ram 40Gb HD (With an 80Gb external, but that's not really relevant) nVidia GeForce FX5100 graphics card (64mb) Now I don't need you to tell me how crap it is, but I do want some of the expertise/experience some of you possess, if it's not a problem. I'm looking to upgrade, and have another 256mb ram for a total of 512 on the way, yet that probably won't last long as 1024mb is much more preferable. The problem lies in my awareness that one thing leads to another, etc, etc. I'd like those specs to look more like: 2.5 to 3Ghz processor 1024mb ram 128mb to 256mb gfx card. So assuming I can source the parts, what else do I need to be aware of and what parts would you recommend? Something people keep telling me about is the motherboard, but as I've already mentioned my knowledge of this sort of thing rates at around 3 out of 10. Help please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo-K 182 Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Processor: AMD Athlon 64 XP 3200+ (or higher, my new desktop is comming with a 3800+) Memory: 1GB RAM HD: 100GB + (especially for gaming considering how huge games are now) Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 256 MB (i have the 9700 Pro 128 MB and it is one hell of a video card) those are pretty good. the new computer that i'm getting is this: Windows XP Pro SP2 AMD Athlon 64 3800+ 1GB Memory (computer can hold up to 3 GB of RAM) 160GB HD (still another bay open) 16x DVD/R/RW (also has another 3 CD drives) 9 in 1 card reader (can read memory cards, like those used in cameras/handhelds) 128MB DDR ATI Radeon X300 SE though i'll probably ad in an extra 1 GB of RAM (for a total of 2GB) eventually. going to upgrade the video card to a 256 sometime as well. but all and all i'm getting all that for $1099.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 @Neo-K 182 That doesn't answer his question at all. @Gta Gamer. For BF2 you need atleast 512MB of RAM and a 5700 series card. However for the RAM I suggest atleast 1GB, for the GFX then a 6XXX series if you can afford it. If you have a $100-$130US budget, I've already listed a few cards that will get the job done, keep in mind that is the budget for just a card not GFX and RAM. If that isn't your budget, tell me what your total budget is and if possible your make and model of mobo or the pre-built system (HP, Dell, so on) and I'll use newegg.com to try and find something within your budget. I can tell you this much, it'll take atleast $200US (maybe a bit less, but that's a nice round number) to get both RAM and GFX just to get up to spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 sorry doubled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond996 Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 I would leave your processor as is until you do a massive full upgrade. You won't get too much more in Socket A these days, so save up for an Athlon 64 (not an 'Athlon 64 XP', Neo-K). Ordering another stick of 256mb is also not advisable if you're going to want to put in 1GB of RAM. You should scoop up two sticks of 512mb PC3200 ram to get your 1gb, and then that can hopefully be reused if you decide to go for an Athlon 64 in the future. If you go the intel route, and where AMD might end up, you'll need DDR2. However, for the $80ish it costs to put 1GB in your current machine, its more then worth it. As for the video card, I would reccomend getting the vanilla 6600 wolf posted. It will get the job done nicely for BF2 and other current games along with the rest of your specs. That puts you at about $200, a little over most likely, to upgrade GFX and RAM, and wait for a new processor in the future. I should note 40gb is quite not a lot, and the BF2 install will definetly cost a couple of gigabytes. Make sure you have enough space, or a 160gb HD can be had for around $50. @Neo- Was posting the specs of your new computer necessary? Also, the 9800 Pro is far outdated by a 6-series GeForce card now. Also, your config seems slightly poorly made, what mobo did you go for, and why an x300 when SLI is available with nVidia cards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo-K 182 Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 @wolf: actually the first part of my post was giving him my views. @bond: idk, guess not. and i hate nvidia and will never use them, though i'm not giong to keep that video card on, i'm going to go for a 256 or higher ATI card. and it's not really that poorly made, it's a cheep HP, but i dont have a lot of money to spend and with this i can get every peice of hardware i want, with room to expand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond996 Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 @wolf: actually the first part of my post was giving him my views. @bond: idk, guess not. and i hate nvidia and will never use them, though i'm not giong to keep that video card on, i'm going to go for a 256 or higher ATI card. and it's not really that poorly made, it's a cheep HP, but i dont have a lot of money to spend and with this i can get every peice of hardware i want, with room to expand. Ah. A prebuilt HP would explain the lack of correspondence between the parts and the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cran. Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 6600 GT. Great for the money, providing if it's been released there in tassie . Oh, i'd sell that pc2700 ram and get pc3200 sticks. Think about getting a new 64 bit cpu along with a mobo. If you want to save money, get AGP. On some online stores, you'll see the 6600GT for about 250-300 AUD. Oh, don't get a 9800 pro, those are good cards, but for less money the 6600 GT gives you more performace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gta Gamer. Posted June 13, 2005 Author Share Posted June 13, 2005 Helpful as ever, wolf. I assume it's not a case of just having it dropped in, or is it? Like would there be anything else to consider such as cooling or power supply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duders Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 As far as I know, if you have one of those pre-built HP computers, it would seem to make little sense to upgrade. Usually, the cases are not 17" standard ATX cases and the PSU might not be sufficient enough to power an Athln 64 and a 6600GT. Correct me if I am wrong. -duder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gta Gamer. Posted June 13, 2005 Author Share Posted June 13, 2005 (edited) Yeah duder, that's what I'm most concerned about. @wolf: As for budget $400 (400.00 AUD = 304.739 USD according to xe.com) for graphics card and ram. 6600GT sounds good as I can get one of them for $AU250, which leaves me $AU150 to buy a couple of 512mb sticks. I'm not sure if this is what you meant, but getting it involved crwaling under my desk and trying to stick both my head and a torch into a small gap where I could view the back of the computer. It said "Compaq Presario SR1000." The 256mb on the way isn't going to hang around long, it was a $30 buy so I thought why not? Troubles with virtual/physical memory was the problem. Anyway not relevant. edit: Can you guys tell me if this makes sense or if there's anything that doesn't make sense/isn't going to work. 2x 512MB PC3200 DDR Ram: here. nVidia GeForce 6600GT 128mb gfx card: here AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester Integrated into Chip FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor: here. ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard: here. That would be ideal, but once again I'm not sure of the specifics. Edited June 13, 2005 by Gta Gamer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cran. Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Why an SLI mobo, you want to upgrade to SLI later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 You can't use the GFX card (the one you linked to) with that mobo. That GFX is AGP, the mobo is PCI-E. I was basing my original suggestion on the fact that you said you had a FX5100 which means that your current mobo is using AGP. So the best upgrade with little cash output. Now you're talking about basicly building a whole new system of the main pieces. I didn't notice your flag earlier, so i head no idea you are in AU. Sorry I can't help you find the best deals down there. That AMD chip is a good one, as is that mobo. The RAM, I've never heard of that brand which isn't saying much, so you're pretty much on your own there. Even if the GFX was PCI-E the problem I had with that Ebay as is that there is no mention of the maker. Yes the chip maker is nVidia, but who made the card that's what I would want to know...and personally it bothers me when a "dealer" goes to that much trouble and detail to advertize a product but leaves out a key element like that. For me there are just some brands I will not buy, so know the maker of that card is a key detail element I would have to know before hand....but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 damn double posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gta Gamer. Posted June 13, 2005 Author Share Posted June 13, 2005 (edited) Okay, that helps. So I can get a 6600GT and run it off the current mobo, with no concerns in that regard? And ram won't be a problem either? It's just that my Dad was going on about burning out the motherboard and while he knows less than me I still don't know much. Edited June 13, 2005 by Gta Gamer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond996 Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 If the GFX card draws more power then your PSU can offer, it will just shut off the system or crash the game or artifact or something. Your motherboard would not burn. With an AGP 6600GT, I do believe you need a 4-pin power connector to run it, which might be a concern. How many optical drives or hard drives are you running? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gta Gamer. Posted June 14, 2005 Author Share Posted June 14, 2005 I've got the one hard drive and a CD/DVD combo drive, if that's what you meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cran. Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Okay, that helps. So I can get a 6600GT and run it off the current mobo, with no concerns in that regard? And ram won't be a problem either? It's just that my Dad was going on about burning out the motherboard and while he knows less than me I still don't know much. Yes, but your PSU could be a problem since those big brand Compaq's have sh*tty PSUs. So get a 6600GT, but you might end up in a position where you can't replace the PSU in your case, and you would have to get a new case + PSU and have to move it all into the new case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond996 Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Okay, that helps. So I can get a 6600GT and run it off the current mobo, with no concerns in that regard? And ram won't be a problem either? It's just that my Dad was going on about burning out the motherboard and while he knows less than me I still don't know much. Yes, but your PSU could be a problem since those big brand Compaq's have sh*tty PSUs. So get a 6600GT, but you might end up in a position where you can't replace the PSU in your case, and you would have to get a new case + PSU and have to move it all into the new case From what Compaq's site says, you have a 250watt PSU and your case is MicroATX compliant. From what eVGA's site said about their 6600, you need a 350-watt PSU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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