Bang for the buck???

[VERTEX]

When Aces High 2 came out, I built a computer from scratch to run it, and got rid of my old one.

It was/is:

Abit AV8 socket 939
FX5700LE
1GB of pc3200 Ram
80 GB sata HD
athlon 64 3000 processor

This system ran fine until now, the change is replacing my 17 crt with a 22" Widescreen LCD.

Unfortunately, with a bigger screen I can see all the latent defects much better and it bothers me.

My current system is sluggish at ground level, in GVs and near fires.
I tried changing the video card to a 7300GT, it helped, by smoothing things out, but now leaves me wanting more.

I am prepared to spend 400 bucks or so to replace the motherboard video card, processor and memory.

What should I buy?

Or what should I upgrade on my current system and to what?

Ive considered a higher end AGP card, and a processor upgrade, but that comes close, price wise to going to socket AM2 with PCI-e.

I only play ACES HIGH, and I want a system that will run it well, as opposed to "good enough", without the costs going crazy.

So what does it take to run this game well?


Thanks

[Tigger29]

Consider going Intel.. the new Core-Duo processors absolutely ROCK.

I have the "entry level" Core-Duo E6300 (1.86MHZ) and a PCI-e 7900GS, 1024 textures, 1280X1024 resolution, MAX settings in game.. and I rarely see anything less than 60FPS.

If you're upgrading anyway, stay away from AGP... these are all but obsolete, and is not supported by ANYTHING new anymore.

When I last upgraded, I upgraded from an 2200XP AMD and went to a new motherboard ("economy" type), 2GB ram, 160GB SATA HD, AGP 6200 Nvidia video, and a DVD-ROM/CDRW "combo" drive for about $300.  This was reusing my monitor, keyboard/mouse, power supply, XP Home, and case.

I upgraded to the 7900 GS about a month ago for just under $100, and went to a 600 Watt power supply for $50.

In your case, you can probably re-use the case, power supply (I wouldn't go any lower than 400Watt though), software, peripherals, drives, and any sound or network cards you use, and as a result you should be able to build something very nice for under $400.  Your current video is extremely obsolete.

[BaldEagl]

I've been reasearching and shopping parts for a couple of months now thinking about putting together a new system.  Based on the parts you're willing to replace I'd probably look at something like this (all from Newegg):

 
Update  GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-P35-DS3L
Item #: N82E16813128059

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $99.99  -$10.00 Instant    $89.99  
   
Update  EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 512-P2-N757-TR
Item #: N82E16814130290

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
 
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate  
  $149.99  -$20.00 Instant    $129.99  
   
Update  Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6550 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6550
Item #: N82E16819115030

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $169.99  -$5.00 Instant    $164.99  
   
Update  Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5/1G - Retail
Model #: KVR800D2N5/1G
Item #: N82E16820134114

Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $23.99     $23.99  
Subtotal: $408.96

There's a $30 mail-in rebate on the video card which might allow you to step up to the Intel 6750 proccessor at 2.66 gig or add a second gig of RAM (I'd probably opt for the RAM) or, you could get a 7600 video card and up both the RAM and the proccessor.

Anyway, the good thing is you have options, and a lot more than these, that will fit your budget and push the pixels you need to run that nice new big monitor with ease.

[alskahawk]

I have a 7600 GT card on my AGP (462 socket) system I was getting 50-60 FPS (dips into 40s) with a 22 inch monitor. In the FAQ section in the support tab it suggests adding a sound card to improve frame rates. Worked for me before I replaced my AGP computer.
 Other than that. Time to give your AGP a nice burial. You can build a complete system for Ace's High for under $500.
 

[humble]

Your VC is your bottleneck by a significant margin (even the "upgrade")...

If we look at the chart on Toms...
toms current VC charts

you can see your 7300 is a back of the pack dog....

Even the $20 AGP card I listed for Bnz will give you much better performance then your getting...

For $100 this would greatly improve your performance...

$100 VC

This is about the best AGP card that would make any sense at all...

3850 AGP

You can also upgrade your CPU.

Basically IMO you have 3 options...

1) junk the MB/CPU/VC and rebuild (~$500)
2) upgrade CPU/VC (~$200-300) and get another year or more
3) upgrade VC (~$20-200) and use it till it wont run AH well enough)

Personally I'd pop the $40 card I listed in Bnz's post in and try it out. If it blows then you can return it and go for a bigger upgrade.

You've got limited choices for the 939 socket so you need to get one now if your going to...

3800+ $43

You also have optrons going from $150-300...I cant comment on value there but they have good reviews on newegg.

For less then $100 you could upgrade the CPU and VC to reasonable levels and put the other $300 away toward a new build later...

[alskahawk]

Good site Humble thanks for putting the info out there.

[Fulmar]

I agree with humble's suggestions.

[DrDea]

Im building a new system all but the sound card on new egg for 500 after rebates. Intel 2.33 Duo,7600 GT case fan power supply 2 gig ram and Barracuda 250 gig.Look under the wish list and try things out.Good site.

[VERTEX]

decided to the the rebuild option.

New am2 socket MB
amd dual core processor
9600Gt VC
2 GB dual ch memory.

I'll let you know how it performs in a couple weeks.

Thanks.

[Getback]

I'd stay away from the 8600 vc. It sounds like kin to the 8800 but it's not.