New Computer On The Way: What Video Card?

[RightF00T]

So I've got a new computer on the way:

System Configuration:
 
Processor: Intel Celeron 2.8HGz CPU  
CPU Fan: P4 Heavy Duty Cooling Fan With Heat Sink
Motherboard: PC CHIPS 963G (up to 3.6GHz support)
Memory: 512MB DDR400 PC3200 RAM ( upgradeable up to 2 GB)
Video Card: SiS 256-bit 3D 64MB onboard video plus 4x AGP slot
Hard drive: 80GB 7200RPM  
CD drive: 52x24x52 CDRW drive (Upgrade to DVD burner for $59)
Floppy drive: Mitsumi 1.44MB 3.5" drive
Sound: AC 97 Full duplex digital sound  
Network: 10/100 RJ45 network card (Ethernet, cable or DSL)
Modem: not included (add 56k v.92 modem for $10)
Ports: 4 USB 2.0 ports,1 serial, 1 parallel, 1 microphone jack
Case: Mid Tower 300w power supply (four 5.25", two 3.5" bays)  


What video card should I upgrade with that would work best for AH?  Thanks

[38ruk]

i would say a x800 pro or 9800 pro would be a good choice , with a 300 watt power supply , it pretty much rules out the newer high end video cards from nvidia.  The ati cards are going to be alittle more forgiving of that power supply.     38

[zmeg]

Anything above a ati9600 or a gf ti4200 is going to be more card than that celeron can handle.

[wombatt]

Originally posted by RightF00T
So I've got a new computer on the way:

System Configuration:
 
Processor: Intel Celeron 2.8HGz CPU  
CPU Fan: P4 Heavy Duty Cooling Fan With Heat Sink
Motherboard: PC CHIPS 963G (up to 3.6GHz support)
Memory: 512MB DDR400 PC3200 RAM ( upgradeable up to 2 GB)
Video Card: SiS 256-bit 3D 64MB onboard video plus 4x AGP slot
Hard drive: 80GB 7200RPM  
CD drive: 52x24x52 CDRW drive (Upgrade to DVD burner for $59)
Floppy drive: Mitsumi 1.44MB 3.5" drive
Sound: AC 97 Full duplex digital sound  
Network: 10/100 RJ45 network card (Ethernet, cable or DSL)
Modem: not included (add 56k v.92 modem for $10)
Ports: 4 USB 2.0 ports,1 serial, 1 parallel, 1 microphone jack
Case: Mid Tower 300w power supply (four 5.25", two 3.5" bays)  


What video card should I upgrade with that would work best for AH?  Thanks

Why not just get a pent4 2.4 800FSB?
They are cheap right now.

[38ruk]

ewwww i missed the celery part .... ouch

[JB66]

What 38ruk said...Get a new power supply...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=106

You need at least a 400watt unit.  And stay away from the GF 5200-5600 video cards.  They just don't have the preformance needed for intense games.

[Siaf__csf]

Do yourself a favour and forget the celeron. It's bad enough you went for Intel

Seriously, the P4 is WAY better option even if you won't be able to match the Mhz. You can overclock the 2.4 easily and get many times the speed compared to the celeron.

Celerons have worst bang for buck on the market in mainstream CPU's.

[Kaz]

Wouldn't touch a Celeron with a 10ft pole. Like others have mentioned, the P4 2.4C (800MHz FSB) would be a much better choice.

If money is the issue, I'd save until I could buy the P4 and a good power supply too (Fortron, Antec among others).

If you're using Windows XP I'd get 1GB RAM. Yeah my sig says I have 512MB but I salvaged an old stick of 512MB PC2700 from my old PC to up total RAM to 1GB.

Save up and get the better stuff.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Ummmm.........did anybody else notice his specs list the AGP slot as 4x??????

And this is a NEW system??  From who, Goodwill?  Considering I just gave away a system comparable to that one for next to nothing (I bought a new hard drive for it before giving it to my brother), I hope you didnt pay much for it at least.

That Celeron CPU and the slow transfer speeds of the 4x AGP slot are going to kill your framerates.  

I really hope that was a typo lol.

[MOSQ]

RightFoot,
Don't open the box. Send it back and start over. For hardly any $  more you can get a much better gaming system

[FX1]

I built a AMD 64 3000 with mid level hardware for $600. If you are worried about building a putter dont its easy. Just take a weekend off and work on it. I did have XP and some other stuff. If you have a fry's around most of the staff can help you out. Dont go to best buy our any other chain store they will rip you off. Newegg you can order a barebones system and start from their.


AMD is the way to go for price and power.

[FX1]

AC 97 Full duplex digital sound

I have it and dislike it. I need a sound card but that is the only thing i would change.

Also i have a 5700 fx 258mb card and love it cost $89

I did have a ATI before and it gave me problems i rather take a little hit than go with the ati card for not that much of a gain.

[RightF00T]

I got this system for around 300 bucks so I'm not complaining so assuming I stick with this system: What are the first things I should upgrade.  

Just keep in mind that I dont really need a high-end 500 fps system that can run porn at the same time.  I'm just looking to get my fix of plinking spitfires from behind the cockpit of a Jug.  No need to see 2 kinds of jugs...really.  Thanks for your replies anyway.

[38ruk]

first thing would be a power supply , then a video card , with the celeron cpu , a 9600pro would be ok , or possibly a 6600GT, as far as  the 4x agp goes , its not a huge difference , i couldnt really tell the difference running my old 9800 pro at 4x in AH2 .... 38

[FOGOLD]

Dont get too hung up on the Power Supply. If you don't overload with CD drives and Hard Drives it will be fine.  I have a brand new Fujitsu Siemens for work It has 260 W. I put a 9600XT in for occasional LAN games. 2 HD's P4 3gig 800 FSB.  Runs sweet as can be.