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Posted: 1/12/2006 10:56:42 AM EDT

So... I have a decent system right now. But I'm considering upgrading a little bit. I'm not looking to spend over $600-800 on it. I currently have a P4 HT 3.2 ghz cpu, 1 gig of ram, Evga 6660 GT 128mb AGP card, 720 gigs of space (w/ 5 hd's). I'm looking for some cpu and motherboard recommendations. If I upgrade, I plan on buying a 6800 GS, and going to 2 gigs of ram.

-d

Posted: 1/12/2006 1:57:38 PM EDT

[#1]

what is your computer not able to do?

Posted: 1/12/2006 2:29:57 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
what is your computer not able to do?

Able to do all the stuff I want.. but I might want something faster or better video. If anything, I'll buy 2 gigs of ram for this machine and just stay with it for now.

-d

Posted: 1/12/2006 2:34:37 PM EDT

[#3]

Just add another gig or RAM, and if you are a serious gamer, or want the max from games you do play upgrade the video card, a 6800 with 256MB would be good.

Posted: 1/12/2006 6:01:38 PM EDT

[#4]

I got a 6800 Ultra AGP card I will hook up real cheap if you are interested.

Posted: 1/12/2006 6:14:27 PM EDT

[#5]

i've got a pentium II 266 MHz if you're interested...

but seriously, have you checked out dual core processors?

Posted: 1/12/2006 6:15:42 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
i've got a pentium II 266 MHz if you're interested...

but seriously, have you checked out dual core processors?

Why? When the vast majority of apps are not multi-threaded.....

Posted: 1/12/2006 6:16:23 PM EDT

[#7]

good article from tomshardware link

edit what socket is your motherboard? you could upgrade your processor. ram would be the cheapest depending on how many slots you are using.

Posted: 1/12/2006 8:10:48 PM EDT

[#8]

The rough rule of thumb is if your upgrades cost more than half of a new system.

2nd Gig of RAM - $80 on a deal...scarcely over $100 on average

That'll help out a bit...
* graphical programs - significant
* video editing - also significant
* gaming - somewhat..mostly on the newer games

6800 GT card -
* graphical programs - nah, the 6600 is most excellent already
* video editing - again, the distinguished 6600 already totally ravishes video editing, and we're told, 2 hours ago, totally ravaged Oshman's Sporting Goods.
* gaming - yes, the 6800GT will big a big enough jump over the 6600 that you'll notice without measuring the frame rate

I'd personally go for the extra GB of memory, then hold off on the 6600 for part of this year until I felt the computer was doing "less than I wanted"..then I'd go grab a 6800 GT/Ultra when they're cheaper. The 6800GS is a 12-pipe card which is nice, but barely above your 6600GT. I'd be looking at the 16-pipe cards.

...or ask how cheap the 6800Ultra is above...hehe

Posted: 1/12/2006 8:12:27 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

...or ask how cheap the 6800Ultra is above...hehe

I am asking $200, plus shipping

Posted: 1/12/2006 9:13:03 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
good article from tomshardware link

edit what socket is your motherboard? you could upgrade your processor. ram would be the cheapest depending on how many slots you are using.

478 Socket. I think I'll hold off on building a new pc and just find a deal on the ram. I'm currently at 1 gig (4x 256). So all my slots are full. I'd have to ditch that ram and go with 4x 512's.

-d

Posted: 1/13/2006 4:06:51 AM EDT

[#11]

well i just checked socket 478 boards only go up to 3.4Ghz processors running at 800Mhz FSB

I would suggest saving and going with the AMD dual core processor. I built one a couple weeks ago. it was sweet

Posted: 1/13/2006 4:43:26 AM EDT

[#12]

You know how my system runs.

Might be able to get close to it for 800 bucks.

My 6800GS was 200
2 gigs of PC3200 was 200
Geforce SLI-pro mobo was like 134
And AMD64 3700+ was 233

If you reused your hard drive, case, power supply, you could probably come in around the ball park of 800.

Posted: 1/13/2006 6:16:46 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
You know how my system runs.

i think your main advantage is harddrive and SATA controler speed (obviosly the ram and processor are fast) . I think you said your were using SATA 2 and a hight speed drive. if he were to upgrade he would really limit himself using the old harddrive. hes probaly only using a quantum big foot harddrive anyways

the 10k harddrive would be the way to go. if i had money i would have upgraded by now. im not even using SATA yet. no wonder uglygun has shot me before my game has even loaded

edit i just looked up some of the newer boards from giga-byte. the SATA controlers = 4 X Serial ATA 3Gb/s connectors

GA-K8N51GMF-9

Posted: 1/13/2006 9:29:24 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Quoted:
You know how my system runs.

i think your main advantage is harddrive and SATA controler speed (obviosly the ram and processor are fast) . I think you said your were using SATA 2 and a hight speed drive. if he were to upgrade he would really limit himself using the old harddrive. hes probaly only using a quantum big foot harddrive anyways

the 10k harddrive would be the way to go. if i had money i would have upgraded by now. im not even using SATA yet. no wonder uglygun has shot me before my game has even loaded

edit i just looked up some of the newer boards from giga-byte. the SATA controlers = 4 X Serial ATA 3Gb/s connectors

GA-K8N51GMF-9

Actually, I have a SATA2 drive, but it is currently only running at 150 mbs because this board doesn't support SATA2.

-d

Posted: 1/13/2006 9:43:07 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Quoted:
You know how my system runs.

the 10k harddrive would be the way to go. if i had money i would have upgraded by now. im not even using SATA yet. no wonder uglygun has shot me before my game has even loaded

Better yet, gotten on the carrier before half the aircraft have even left the deck while playing wake :) I was pretty surprised at how quickly I was able to blow up the enemy UAV the other night.

Definitely going to have to start exploiting my load times. Such as becoming the ultimate plane thief or destroyer of sensitive electronics.

My harddrive is a Seagate 7200.9, not even a 10k RPM harddrive. Pretty sure it's the 160 gig, though actual size is like 149 or some silly thing like that.

Posted: 1/14/2006 8:35:40 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
i've got a pentium II 266 MHz if you're interested...

but seriously, have you checked out dual core processors?

Why? When the vast majority of apps are not multi-threaded.....

he said he would be doing video related things, and I believe many video editing/rendering applications are multi-threaded.

It's also useful if you run many programs at the same time (i.e. mutli-threading is handled by the OS rather than explicitly coded into the app).

Posted: 1/14/2006 8:51:42 AM EDT

[#17]

2gb of ram will actually run slightly slower than 1gb for day to day desktop usage.

Posted: 1/14/2006 3:56:08 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
2gb of ram will actually run slightly slower than 1gb for day to day desktop usage.

Posted: 1/14/2006 7:56:51 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
2gb of ram will actually run slightly slower than 1gb for day to day desktop usage.

+1

-d

Posted: 1/14/2006 7:57:30 PM EDT

[#20]

So I figured out that upgrading all that other stuff would cost me too much right now. So I just ordered 2 gigs of Crucial memory which should be here Monday.

-d

Posted: 1/14/2006 8:03:19 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
I got a 6800 Ultra AGP card I will hook up real cheap if you are interested.

I'd be interested...

I currently run a 6600 (non GT ) and its OK but needs help...

Posted: 1/14/2006 8:12:46 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I got a 6800 Ultra AGP card I will hook up real cheap if you are interested.

I'd be interested...

I currently run a 6600 (non GT ) and its OK but needs help...

PM sent

Posted: 1/15/2006 7:41:14 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
he said he would be doing video related things, and I believe many video editing/rendering applications are multi-threaded.

I did?

-d

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