Author Topic: Help on selecting new PC hardware (Read 704 times)

richard_rds · « **on:** October 17, 2004, 11:02:01 AM »

I have a PIII 700MHz system with 320M of SDRAM(133) and it runs AH2 like crap (frame rates at attacked base 6-10, constant 1 to 3 second studder). After reading a little on this forum i realize i need a new system with more power, but i am on a tight budget.

I can buy a Compaq Presario SR1230NX at CC for $599. Following are its specs:
• AMD® Athlon™ XP processor 3200+ (2.167GHz)
• Windows XP Home
• 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
• 160GB hard drive
• Double-layer DVD±R/RW combo drive, CD-ROM
• Integrated graphics
• 9-in-1 digital media card reader

From the reading i have done i will make the following upgrades to the system:

1. Add Nvidia GeForceFX 5500oc (128M). I know that this is not a top of the line graphics card but it should be way better then the integrated graphics on the MOBO. I can get one of these for $99.

2. Add additional 512MB PC2700 DDR ram for 1G total. Do you agree that the additional 512M will help with AH2, or i am better off putting that $100 toward a better Graphics card, does the xp3200 have enough power to take advantage of a better graphics card ?

3. I assume this PC has an integrated sound card on the MOBO. Do i need to buy a PCI soundblaster or can i use the integrated sound.

4. So $600 for the PC, $100 for mem upgrade to 1Gig, $100 for GF5500oc = $800 for sytem. Do you guys think that this system will allow me to enjoy the game, or am i kidding myself and i have to drop $1500 on a higher end system.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2004, 11:44:14 AM »

Forget the extra RAM just now. You will get a way bigger improvement putting the money to a better graphics card. A 9800Pro can be had for very good money.

Otherwise you are bang on the money for spec. Buy more RAM when you can afford it. It makes very little difference., tho it does make some.

Even if you are on a tight budget, consider getting a local PC shop to build a PC to your spec. Box Shifters like Compaque pack all sorts of un-neccesary stuff on your HDD.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2004, 01:52:02 PM »

the only real problem i forsee in that compac is gonna be the main board . but with out the mb number/manufacturer its hard to say .

compac is famous for using everyones "Seconds" when it comes to parts (all the way out dated left overs )

but by looking at whats with it cpu/ram/hd/cdrom/dvd your ahead as in parts go . add a good video card and you could have a great system .

I'd try to get the mainboard info on it if possiable (darn compac is always secretive about this ... )

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2004, 02:06:12 PM »

Make sure that mobo has an AGP slot for your video card upgrade.

eagl · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2004, 02:43:33 PM »

I agree on the vid card. Don't get it unless it has an AGP slot or you will regret it as long as you own the computer.

ChasR · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2004, 08:40:12 PM »

The Compaq model in question does have an AGP slot. The XP 3200+ benefits from a card up to a 9800 Pro or 5900 U. The newer 6800 and X800 cards would be bottle necked by the CPU. I agree with all the others, better vid card before memory. IMO the 5500 isn't enough.

richard_rds · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2004, 03:39:16 AM »

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate it!!!!!

So from your recomendations instead of buying the extra 512M ram i will put that $100 into the graphics card. I can get a ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR AGP Graphics Card for $199. The only think that i am concerned about is i have seen threads at this site that say AH2 has problems working with the ATI graphics cards. Would i be better off getting a higher end Nvidia card.

Schutt · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2004, 07:37:42 AM »

Got ATI, no problems here. I had problems with a radeon 9100, but heard in regard to disapearing ground textures everything 9200 and up is fine with up to date drivers.

People say that nvidia gets better framerate, maybe but i cant prove it.

I d buy a comp with a grafik card instead of that compaq, mainly because its easier with warantee if you can use it in the config you buy it.

Saw some with decent grafik card for that price, but that was in germany.

ciao schutt

CptA · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2004, 09:04:14 AM »

To help make sure that you get the full benefit of the technology in your graphics card and motherboard, check the specs and make sure that BOTH support AGP 8x rates.

Putting an AGP 8x card in an AGP 4x slot = a significant video bottleneck and much reduced framerates.

Switching from an AGP 4x capable motherboard to an AGP 8x motherboard made all the difference for me. This, without changing the CPU, SDRAM, or other components.

CptA

eagl · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2004, 12:08:52 PM »

If I was on a budget and had around $200 for a vid card, I'd see if I could find a way to afford an Nvidia 6800. The 6800GT is my personal fave right now for various reasons, but the regular 6800 is pretty good too. I've always had better luck buying the middle of the current generation cards rather than the top of the previous generation, and right now the 9800 is the top of the previous generation and the 6800 (or arguably the 6600) cards are the middle of the current generation. I don't know whether ATI or Nvidia is better at the $200 price point. I know that between $300 and $450, Nvidia seems to be ahead.

Don't worry too much about the "processor bottleneck" blah blah either... I'd say that a 6800 ultra or the top of the line ATI x800 would be a waste of money and not well matched to your system, but anything from a 6800GT on down would be a fine match for an athlon XP 3200.

richard_rds · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2004, 10:01:10 AM »

Well after doing some research and calling Compaq tech support i found out the the presario i was thinking of buying only has a 210W power supply in it. I believe all the video card from the 9800/5900FX on up require at least 300W power supplies. I don't want to buy this pc and void the waranty be upgrading the PS.

I actually found that Emachines has a model T3256 that is the same price and has a 300W or 350W power supply in it. Following are the specifications:

CPU: AMD Athlon™ XP 3200+ Processor
QuantiSpeed™ Architecture operates at 2.200 GHz
512KB L2 cache & 400MHz FSB
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition 1
Chipset: nVIDIA® nForce™2
Memory: 512 MB DDR (PC 2700)
Hard Drive: 160 GB HDD (7200 RPM) 2
Optical Drives: DVD +/- RW Drive (Write Max: 8x DVD+/-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 32x CD-R, 16x CD-RW; Reads 40x CD, 12x DVD); 48x Max. CD-ROM Drive
Media Reader: 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager (USB 2.0, Secure Digital (SD), Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Micro Drive, Multimedia Card)
Video: nVIDIA® GeForce4™ MX graphics (1 AGP 8x slot available)
Sound: nForce™ 6-channel Audio
Modem: 56K ITU v.92 ready Fax/Modem
Network: 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
Peripherals: Premium Plus Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Amplified Stereo Speakers
Dimensions: 7.25"w x 14.125"h x 16"d
Internet: AOL Membership Included (Additional phone charges may apply. Click here for details.)
Ports/Other: 5 USB 2.0 ports (4 in back; 1 in Media Reader), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio-In & Out
I called their tech support to find out hat the PS was at least 300W and they useing a TriGem MOBO with the Nvidea Gforse2 chipset.

I realize that the integrated MX graphics are not good enough and will either get a 9800pro for $200, or a 6800 for $300.

1. Will the 9800Pro work OK with the Nvidia chipset MOBO, or am i better off spending the extra $100 and get the Nvidia 6800.

2. does anyone have any good or bad opinions on Emachines PC's, they were bought by Gateway.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2004, 02:17:38 PM »

i think its the Asus A7N8X-VM mainboard (or something very similar) . which is a good base . it supports 8x agp for a video card add on .. (for less hassles id suggest a nividia based card ) .. but I am running Radeons on my nforce board . (just harder finding the best driver match)

if your gonna put a huge top end video card in it you will need a bigger power supply . Antec or enermax .

That system is at a very good price . id jump on it and add a fx5600 /ati 9600pro or better video card to it .

Dont Add a fx5200 because it wont be much improvement over the gf 4 thats built into it.

Ive had serveral Gateways and worked on a pile of them and ive always liked the online support . .. put the serial/model number in and it gives ya all the info /drivers/updates just like that . none of that beating around the bush like its some big secret .. (like Compac is)

I just looked at the photo gallery here And I see an Asus A7N8X- VM mainboard in it . (just that MB and cpu would cost ya close to $300 to purchase by themselves )

Boat · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2004, 09:23:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ChasR
The newer 6800 and X800 cards would be bottle necked by the CPU.

Is this true? Doesn't seem to me that a CPU as powerful as an Athlon XP 3200+ couldn't keep up with the new generation video cards.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2004, 10:30:04 PM »

The newer 6800 and X800 cards are sort of over kill .. they perform better in a 64 bit application

but i doubt you would notice any bottle necking with them . at most you will need a 420watt or bigger power supply though .

I bet that pc would run great with a
power colour 9550 256mb
9600 pro 128 or 256mb
FX5600,5900 128 or 256 mb

the adv of the 256mb card is you can preload the textures in the video memory (thats how i have my 256mb card running and it works great) this helps alot on the smaller cpu's (under 1.8ghz )

i dont see the adv on the bigger cpu's by doing this though .

CYLONN · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2004, 01:10:52 AM »

I am currently running a 6800 GT ovrclk'd with a 400 psu. Plenty of power with some to spare.

The BFG 6800GT OC is rated to operate w/300W psu but factory suggests 400W. As far as a 6800 over a GT just be aware that the GT and Ultra versions have a 16 pipeline architecture, the 6800 has only 12. Bought mine at Best Buy, locally. They matched the online price.

ASUS A7N8X del. 2.0
Athlon XP3000 400 fsb
1G Corsair XMS pc3200 DDR
BFG 6800GT oc 256mb DDR3
Antec 400 psu.
Antec Solution Series case

Saw 241 fps cruising at 18K, usually a steady 55fps in a fight.
Everyone knows that the fps fluctuates in this game at any given time. Some days and maps I'm much highr, some as low as 40.
A 6800 isn't absolutely neccessary for AH2, but if you enjoy other games, the performance and quality is unbelievable! Try Call of Duty for a good game to try.