Low Budget Upgrades for my Sh!tty Comp

[huejas]

Okay well i already posted in the Tech Center, but the only person who helps there is cpinney (props to him for all the help he provides there), but i need some other opinions.

I got my computer 3 years ago, and not long ago it gave out and wouldnt handle sro

Currently i have:
-512mb of DDR PC3200 Ram
-GeForce FX 5200 128MB Vid card (http://shopper.cnet.com/graphics-cards/ ... g=srch_1_1)
-AMD Sempron 2800+ 1.60GHz Processor

I'm gonna upgrade to 2gb of ram for about $80, and a AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.40GHz Processor for $50.
Now with the help of cpinney i picked out a new graphics card, PNY Verto GeForce 6200 256MB (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... u=P56-7016)...will this be a big difference, and is there any better DDR AGP cards out there?

Any help and.or comments appreciated

P.S. Sorry mods, i guess you can move it if you have too

[Jantje]

Wait till the geforce 9xxx series come out and buy a whole new pc. The 8xxx series will drop in price. Upgrading an old pc is just as expensive as buying an whole new one when your into gaming.
Basically you need to upgrade every 2 years at least when you want to play new games.

[Sharp324]

Wait till the geforce 9xxx series come out and buy a whole new pc. The 8xxx series will drop in price. Upgrading an old pc is just as expensive as buying an whole new one when your into gaming.
Basically you need to upgrade every 2 years at least when you want to play new games.

IMO if a self built computer costs as much as it would in stores your getting ripped...plus he said low budget thats not gonna push the 8800GTs down much, and the 9000 series is already out but only the low end, the high end wont do much on mid lvl cards.

[huejas]

Wait till the geforce 9xxx series come out and buy a whole new pc. The 8xxx series will drop in price. Upgrading an old pc is just as expensive as buying an whole new one when your into gaming.
Basically you need to upgrade every 2 years at least when you want to play new games.

Im only spending $200 to upgrade this comp and in 4-6 months or so im gonna build a whole new pc. So i need a decent pc untill then, plus it will replace the even older comp in my parents office once i get my new one. So guys just please tell me about what i want to knwo and none of this "buy a new pc", thx

[dom]

Wait till the geforce 9xxx series come out and buy a whole new pc. The 8xxx series will drop in price. Upgrading an old pc is just as expensive as buying an whole new one when your into gaming.
Basically you need to upgrade every 2 years at least when you want to play new games.

Im only spending $200 to upgrade this comp and in 4-6 months or so im gonna build a whole new pc. So i need a decent pc untill then, plus it will replace the even older comp in my parents office once i get my new one. So guys just please tell me about what i want to knwo and none of this "buy a new pc", thx

Not worth it. Only costs 400-500 to build a new PC, spending have of that price just for 4 months isn't worth it.


That said,

Make sure you have a motherboard that supports socket AM2 if you're going for the 4000+. don't waste your money on that graphics card, it's still garbage and not much better. Graphic's DDR2/3/4 will default back to whatever you need, just like normal ram does if you have sockets that support both. I would go with: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=318 It would be in your best interest to get 1gb ram and buy a better graphics card.

And just a little FYI: AGP cards and DDR ram are no longer manufactured, because of that there is short supply for the millions of computers that need parts replaced. For the exact same GFX card, you would pay 30-60% less on PCI-E and it would perform better. For that reason, your $200 would go as far as $80-120 if it were spent on a new computer.

[huejas]

Wait till the geforce 9xxx series come out and buy a whole new pc. The 8xxx series will drop in price. Upgrading an old pc is just as expensive as buying an whole new one when your into gaming.
Basically you need to upgrade every 2 years at least when you want to play new games.

Im only spending $200 to upgrade this comp and in 4-6 months or so im gonna build a whole new pc. So i need a decent pc untill then, plus it will replace the even older comp in my parents office once i get my new one. So guys just please tell me about what i want to knwo and none of this "buy a new pc", thx

Not worth it. Only costs 400-500 to build a new PC, spending have of that price just for 4 months isn't worth it.


That said,

Make sure you have a motherboard that supports socket AM2 if you're going for the 4000+. don't waste your money on that graphics card, it's still garbage and not much better. Graphic's DDR2/3/4 will default back to whatever you need, just like normal ram does if you have sockets that support both. I would go with: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=318 It would be in your best interest to get 1gb ram and buy a better graphics card.

And just a little FYI: AGP cards and DDR ram are no longer manufactured, because of that there is short supply for the millions of computers that need parts replaced. For the exact same GFX card, you would pay 30-60% less on PCI-E and it would perform better. For that reason, your $200 would go as far as $80-120 if it were spent on a new computer.

Well first off, to end this "new pc" thing...im gonna build a nice pc for maybe $800-1000 in 4-6 months. You guys think its a waste to upgrade my old pc but if read previous posts you will see and understand that its still going to be used rather then thrown aside once i get my new pc.

Now, i have a DDR motherboard, and correct me if im wrong but they dont support DDR2 vid cards, and no im not gonna buy a new mobo. That was the best DDR card that i could find and it is obviously better then my current card.

Next thing, the AMD Athlon 64 4000+ (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... No=2877777) doesn't need a mobo that supports socket AM2, thats the Athlon 64 X2's.

That said, im still going to go with 2gb ram, the Athlon 64 CPU and if i can get a better graphic card then i will. For $200, i think its worth it IMHO.

[Inuyasha584]

who cares if he waste money, let him do what he wants. if your a gamer and have a crap video card, get a new video card.

[Avalanche]

It would be better just to get a new pc, but it is your decision. Do what suites you.

[Inuyasha584]

or get a mini fridge + micro wave and some hand santizer = non stop gaming

[dom]

who cares if he waste money, let him do what he wants. if your a gamer and have a crap video card, get a new video card.

Then he shouldn't ask for advice.

[huejas]

It would be better just to get a new pc, but it is your decision. Do what suites you.

can ppl read b4 they post

who cares if he waste money, let him do what he wants. if your a gamer and have a crap video card, get a new video card.

Then he shouldn't ask for advice.

Guys, my question isnt "should i waste my money?"...my question is "HOW should i waste my money the best way ". I'm gonna spend the money so dont tell me not too! Just help me on how to spent it to my best benefit (kinda like dom is trying to help but also saying its a waste so hes 50/50 of what im looking for )

Now, i have a DDR motherboard, and correct me if im wrong but they dont support DDR2 vid cards, and no im not gonna buy a new mobo. That was the best DDR card that i could find and it is obviously better then my current card.

Am i right about this, and is there any better AGP DDR vid cards that i missed?

[Avalanche]

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-A6230N-D ... 760&sr=1-6
save for that instead. hella cheap

[huejas]

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-A6230N-Desktop-Dual-Core-Processor/dp/B000VTWQ84/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1204690760&sr=1-6
save for that instead. hella cheap

Naw, building my own w/ quad cpu, 4gb ram, 8600 gts to later sli. Also i dont need a hard drive that big plus i already have a monitor. IMO, its better to build a pc because you can make it to your preferences and for cheaper.

[Avalanche]

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-A6230N-Desktop-Dual-Core-Processor/dp/B000VTWQ84/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1204690760&sr=1-6
save for that instead. hella cheap

Naw, building my own w/ quad cpu, 4gb ram, 8600 gts to later sli. Also i dont need a hard drive that big plus i already have a monitor. IMO, its better to build a pc because you can make it to your preferences and for cheaper.

that thing is so god damn cheap that its cheaper than self build.

[shockwave]

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-A6230N-Desktop-Dual-Core-Processor/dp/B000VTWQ84/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1204690760&sr=1-6
save for that instead. hella cheap

lol what is that graphic card?

[Crumpets]

I used to have the same vid card, but then it srsly blew up. Upgraded to a second hand 5700 Ultra. Big mistake.

Finally got a brand new x1650 Pro and can ru nevery new game either on med or high. It's AGP too so don't need to worry botu a new mobo. Cost me 60 euro's which is like .. what 100$ ?

[dom]

I used to have the same vid card, but then it srsly blew up. Upgraded to a second hand 5700 Ultra. Big mistake.

Finally got a brand new x1650 Pro and can ru nevery new game either on med or high. It's AGP too so don't need to worry botu a new mobo. Cost me 60 euro's which is like .. what 100$ ?

my CSS teammate mailed me his powercolor x1950 pro; I believe they have the same architecture - good card

[DarkJackal]

I duno much about what supports what, but I got this ram recently, 2 gb for 40 bucks, from 512 I had, sro runs so smoothly now, even with photoshop, firefox, mirc, the only time it even lags when going to hotan, maybe that just in Xian lol, but then again I have like a 6 year old video card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820134046

[pr0klobster]

"Now, i have a DDR motherboard, and correct me if im wrong but they dont support DDR2 vid cards, and no im not gonna buy a new mobo. That was the best DDR card that i could find and it is obviously better then my current card."

Um, DDR RAM on the mobo and DDR ram on the video card have no relation whatsoever. Post your motherboard, 6600's had AGP and you might be able to score one used, plus it'd be faster than a 6200...

edit: for 4 months, I guess you could get by with a 6200. Otherwise there's really nothing available, unless you buy a new mobo that has AGP and PCI-E, which is something I have no experience with. Just doesn't sound smart.

[Alterran]

Okay well i already posted in the Tech Center, but the only person who helps there is cpinney (props to him for all the help he provides there), but i need some other opinions.

I got my computer 3 years ago, and not long ago it gave out and wouldnt handle sro

Currently i have:
-512mb of DDR PC3200 Ram
-GeForce FX 5200 128MB Vid card (http://shopper.cnet.com/graphics-cards/ ... g=srch_1_1)
-AMD Sempron 2800+ 1.60GHz Processor

I'm gonna upgrade to 2gb of ram for about $80, and a AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.40GHz Processor for $50.
Now with the help of cpinney i picked out a new graphics card, PNY Verto GeForce 6200 256MB (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... u=P56-7016)...will this be a big difference, and is there any better DDR AGP cards out there?

Any help and.or comments appreciated

P.S. Sorry mods, i guess you can move it if you have too

forget about upgrading procesor or vid card thoes r fine i play with less but u need more memory my computer plays it fine with 768mb i suggest getting 1 gb or more

[pr0klobster]

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-A6230N-Desktop-Dual-Core-Processor/dp/B000VTWQ84/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1204690760&sr=1-6
save for that instead. hella cheap

lol what is that graphic card?

Nvidia 6150, not great at all. Integrated graphics are rarely even close to an add-on card in terms of performance. Think slideshow at anything under 800 by 600.

[huejas]

"Now, i have a DDR motherboard, and correct me if im wrong but they dont support DDR2 vid cards, and no im not gonna buy a new mobo. That was the best DDR card that i could find and it is obviously better then my current card."

Um, DDR RAM on the mobo and DDR ram on the video card have no relation whatsoever. Post your motherboard, 6600's had AGP and you might be able to score one used, plus it'd be faster than a 6200...

edit: for 4 months, I guess you could get by with a 6200. Otherwise there's really nothing available, unless you buy a new mobo that has AGP and PCI-E, which is something I have no experience with. Just doesn't sound smart.

Thanks! This is something that i wanted to hear. So i can get a DRR2 graphics card instead, like this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=2234 or this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=933

EDIT: Or a pci card like this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1603

And this is my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3& ... odelmenu=1

[PileOfMush]

forget about upgrading procesor or vid card thoes r fine i play with less but u need more memory my computer plays it fine with 768mb i suggest getting 1 gb or more

I agree with Alterran, but if you're dead set for getting a newer video card, at least go 2 generations newer, not just 1.

Here are some links to some of the products you might be interested in at MWave.com I've used them for 10 years now. I don't know if they offer shipping to your location (seeing how many ppl here are not from the USA) but hopefully it will help.

Video Card - They also have the 6200 for $35 but I suggest going beyond that...

RAM - you'd want to buy pairs for best performance. If you want to buy 1 GB, get two 512MB sticks.
More RAM

Also, if your motherboard is 3 years old you may very well NOT have the AM2 socket. I can't get the link you sent from ASUS to work, but I'm willing to bet you probably have a Socket 939 mobo. Mine is 2 yrs old and that's what I have. It's probably worth it to just keep your existing CPU unless you upgrade the motherboard in this computer... in which case, you will want entirely different RAM.

Good luck.

[huejas]

forget about upgrading procesor or vid card thoes r fine i play with less but u need more memory my computer plays it fine with 768mb i suggest getting 1 gb or more

I agree with Alterran, but if you're dead set for getting a newer video card, at least go 2 generations newer, not just 1.

Here are some links to some of the products you might be interested in at MWave.com I've used them for 10 years now. I don't know if they offer shipping to your location (seeing how many ppl here are not from the USA) but hopefully it will help.

Video Card - They also have the 6200 for $35 but I suggest going beyond that...

RAM - you'd want to buy pairs for best performance. If you want to buy 1 GB, get two 512MB sticks.
More RAM

Also, if your motherboard is 3 years old you may very well NOT have the AM2 socket. I can't get the link you sent from ASUS to work, but I'm willing to bet you probably have a Socket 939 mobo. Mine is 2 yrs old and that's what I have. It's probably worth it to just keep your existing CPU unless you upgrade the motherboard in this computer... in which case, you will want entirely different RAM.

Good luck.

Guys, once again, the cpu im getting (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... No=2877777) doesn't need a AM2 socket, its 939 socket. The Athlon 64 X2 cpu's are the ones that need a AM2 socket.

As for the RAM im getting 2gb. Still undecided about the graphics card but i know i want to spend about $50 on it.

[spyboy1o1]

dude no way u should pay 80$ for 2gb ram, for 3200... check around tigerdirect and newegg

[bLuE_fLaMe]

lol sounds like my computer but only i have a 9550(256mb). but meh if your just going to play sro, just upgrade to a cheap 1gb ram and a 9550 of so like me. there very cheap on ebay.

[huejas]

dude no way u should pay 80$ for 2gb ram, for 3200... check around tigerdirect and newegg

I did, im gonna get it from tiger. DDR isnt as cheap as DDR2.

EDIT: $80 canadian

[pr0klobster]

"Now, i have a DDR motherboard, and correct me if im wrong but they dont support DDR2 vid cards, and no im not gonna buy a new mobo. That was the best DDR card that i could find and it is obviously better then my current card."

Um, DDR RAM on the mobo and DDR ram on the video card have no relation whatsoever. Post your motherboard, 6600's had AGP and you might be able to score one used, plus it'd be faster than a 6200...

edit: for 4 months, I guess you could get by with a 6200. Otherwise there's really nothing available, unless you buy a new mobo that has AGP and PCI-E, which is something I have no experience with. Just doesn't sound smart.

Thanks! This is something that i wanted to hear. So i can get a DRR2 graphics card instead, like this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=2234 or this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=933

EDIT: Or a pci card like this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1603

And this is my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3& ... odelmenu=1

Yes, you can get anything - as long as it's AGP, like your motherboard. I wouldn't suggest a PCI card, as that's an older standard than AGP 8x. Anything in a PCI slot is slower. PCI-E is the newest "standard".

Hmm...memory is failing me, I thought the 6800 was ok, but that core clock and memory make me think it'd be slower, perhaps around a 6600 performance-wise. I also remember Nvidia doing some marketing with the XT/XE/GS/GT crap so it was difficult to understand what each model actually was. The GS usually meant not so good as a GT, but I can't find any old reviews of the 6800 XE. Still, the core GPU is more powerful than a 6200 at least, so it may be worth looking into comparing a 6600GT/6200/6800XE pricewise.

[huejas]

"Now, i have a DDR motherboard, and correct me if im wrong but they dont support DDR2 vid cards, and no im not gonna buy a new mobo. That was the best DDR card that i could find and it is obviously better then my current card."

Um, DDR RAM on the mobo and DDR ram on the video card have no relation whatsoever. Post your motherboard, 6600's had AGP and you might be able to score one used, plus it'd be faster than a 6200...

edit: for 4 months, I guess you could get by with a 6200. Otherwise there's really nothing available, unless you buy a new mobo that has AGP and PCI-E, which is something I have no experience with. Just doesn't sound smart.

Thanks! This is something that i wanted to hear. So i can get a DRR2 graphics card instead, like this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=2234 or this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=933

EDIT: Or a pci card like this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1603

And this is my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3& ... odelmenu=1

Yes, you can get anything - as long as it's AGP, like your motherboard. I wouldn't suggest a PCI card, as that's an older standard than AGP 8x. Anything in a PCI slot is slower. PCI-E is the newest "standard".

Hmm...memory is failing me, I thought the 6800 was ok, but that core clock and memory make me think it'd be slower, perhaps around a 6600 performance-wise. I also remember Nvidia doing some marketing with the XT/XE/GS/GT crap so it was difficult to understand what each model actually was. The GS usually meant not so good as a GT, but I can't find any old reviews of the 6800 XE. Still, the core GPU is more powerful than a 6200 at least, so it may be worth looking into comparing a 6600GT/6200/6800XE pricewise.

Thanks alot man. With all your help iv decided to go with the 6600gt respects to you !

[pr0klobster]

Good luck. The 6600GT was one of the better cards I've owned.

By the way, since it's only 4 months for you with that system, I won't mention it was also very overclockable