Need Advice for Beta upgrade

[whiteman]

This is my POS, I know nothing about computers. Know how to use them basic maintenance but actual hardware specs fly's right over my head. Should I go ahead and build a new one or upgrade this one and what should i upgrade? Thanks!

Current AH FR is 59, Beta 28-35

System Information
---------------
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~1.0GHz
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 400MB used, 1962MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Radeon X1600/X1650 Series
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x71C2)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6860 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

[mipoikel]

I would add at least more memory. Now you have only 1gb. 1-2 gb more and it would perform better. It is also the cheapest way to improve it.

Personally I would build a new system....

[humble]

Memory for sure will make a difference. Is your MB AGP or PCI-e?...if PCI then a VC like the one shown for lusche in wizers thread makes sense as well. I've got a couple of old AMD boxes but they are 939 boards....you might be be able to scrounge a better CPU pretty cheaply as well.
http://www.eworldsale.com/computers-processors-cpu_5616.html

[whiteman]

PCI-e, one of the few things i do know.

Cool thanks, yea i was thinking about just building a new one anyways. This one was never bought to play games, I didn't know of AH at the time.

[Masherbrum]

Buy RAM as a stopgap, your CPU is what is really killing you in the end.   

[Kermit de frog]

Your CPU "appears" to be running very slow.  I'd investigate it further to ensure it's running at it's top speed.  I recently worked on an AMD pc and noticed it had been throttled back to 3/4 of it's speed due to a cmos reset done by another tech years ago.   You CPU should be running around ~2GHz, not ~1GHz.
Right click on "my computer" and select properties.  It will tell you how fast your CPU is on that page.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

AMD cool & quiet will throttle the CPU just like Intel speedstep so there's not necessary anything wrong. Of course it's always an option. That hardware should run AH2 AFAIK pretty well. The x1600 graphics seems to be the weakest link in the system along with the low ram.

A 80 bucks upgrade would probably double the graphics throughput. HD3870 for example.

[Ghastly]

My advice? Wait.  (If the decision to upgrade is being solely driven by the beta).

They know they introduced problems with the last patch to the beta - let them fix that, and THEN re-evaluate where you stand with respect to the performance on your machine.

<S>

 

[Kermit de frog]

AMD cool & quiet will throttle the CPU just like Intel speedstep so there's not necessary anything wrong. Of course it's always an option. That hardware should run AH2 AFAIK pretty well. The x1600 graphics seems to be the weakest link in the system along with the low ram.

A 80 bucks upgrade would probably double the graphics throughput. HD3870 for example.

Does cool & quiet affect the reported speed in DXDIAG?  I am not sure, so I thought I'd help him verify his speed, just in case his MB reset his FSB to 100MHz by mistake, as I recently found this to be the case in a PC I just refurbished.

[whiteman]

Your CPU "appears" to be running very slow.  I'd investigate it further to ensure it's running at it's top speed.  I recently worked on an AMD pc and noticed it had been throttled back to 3/4 of it's speed due to a cmos reset done by another tech years ago.   You CPU should be running around ~2GHz, not ~1GHz.
Right click on "my computer" and select properties.  It will tell you how fast your CPU is on that page.

says 997MHz

[Getback]

Okay, I would scrap the old cpu, MB, and video card. Then I would go either intel (my first choice) or AMD 7550. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103628, Then get a gigabyte board that matches the connection.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128382 Pick up a cheap video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

Anyway reuse the case, optic drive, HD, but maybe buy a new PS and you're set. Oh, maybe new ram.


Mainboard: 90
CPU:         45
VC:          100

235 not counting ram and ps.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011 PS: 110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 Memory: 50

There ya go 395 not counting shipping or taxes if that be the case.

Now this is a relative cheap computer. You could go cheaper yet with a different mb and ps. Although I would stick with a Pc Power & Cooling ps.

Make absolutely sure you don't get an older duo core. They have a bug. I think, maybe the 7550 and later are bug free. Definately the tri cores and quad cores are good to go.

Just something to get you thinking.

[whiteman]

Thanks a lot! figure with something like this i might as well sopend the money.

[Getback]

Thanks a lot! figure with something like this i might as well sopend the money.

Let me clear up something I said. It's the older AMD duo cores that have the bug. Now the newer ones from what others have said do not. So research that subject carefully.

I hope it works out for you. 

[BaldEagl]

If you don't have any money buy another 1 Gb of RAM, otherwise all the parts are getting old... just replace the whole thing.

BTW, if you can turn a screwdriver your can build it yourself and re-use your current hard drives, optical drives and possibly your case.

[Kermit de frog]

says 997MHz

MrRiplEy[H] did point out it could be Cool n quiet reducing your CPU speed, but with windows also reporting the reduced speed, it makes me question it.  I'd first verify my CPU is throttling up all the way when needed.  If it's not, then there's a chance for improved fps with current PC.

Download "CPU-Z" and run the program.  Then run Photoshop and give it a rendering job that should use all your CPU, while PS is working hard, switch back to CPU-Z program and see if your CPU speed does indeed throttle up to 2GHz.  If it does not, let us know and we'll work on that next, as there are solutions to that issue.