2600+ to a 3000+ a valid upgrade for gaming?

[imported_Zero Cool]

My sons computer is currently running an ASUS A7N-LX (HP oem) with a XP2600+ (2.08Ghz and 256K L2), 512Mb 3-3-3 Memory, WD Cav SE Hard Drive and an ATi 9600xt. In Half Life, things take a long time to load, and can get really choppy at times. I know this card is on the low end of the scale, but works fine for his other games, COD, Battle 1942 and all the other current crap out there (I'm not a gamer)

Anyway, would an upgrade to a XP 3000+ (2.2Ghz 512K L2) and 1Gb of Mushkin PC2700 Enhanced (2-2-2@333) be worth it for some additional performance? Prices on both are cheap, cpu is only $112 and the memory is on sale from Mushkin for $160 - ANAND's special 10% discount.

I hope there are some gamers out there that can help.

 

[nick1985]

no. just overclock the one he has now.

 

[imported_Zero Cool]

I did and it's currently running @ 2.2...but other then the scores going up for proc and memory, didn't really seem to make a bit of difference...that's why I'm looking down this road.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: Zero Cool
I did and it's currently running @ 2.2...but other then the scores going up for proc and memory, didn't really seem to make a bit of difference...that's why I'm looking down this road.

Then there's no reason to buy one that runs at same speed

 

[DaveSimmons]

For $275 you could get him an A64 2800+, motherboard, and 512 MB PC3200. See the System Thread

That's faster than an XP 3200+ (more like an XP 3400+ if it existed). Or since you'll be able to sell the old XP, mobo, and RAM you could spend about $375 and move up to an A64 3000+ and 1 GB of PC3200. With that upgrade he should be able to play any games released in the next year or two.

Of course for $0 you could make sure there is no spyware, adware, virus, trojans running (see the sticky thread at top of Software forum), and you could also check that the choppy games are not set to too high a resolution or quality (if they've been changed from defaults). Cutting HL2 from 1024x768 down to 800x600 can make a big difference in smoothness.

 

[imported_Zero Cool]

biostud...
Since I'm not familiar with AMD and how it uses it's cache, I was hoping that the increase from 256 to 512 would help out. Another thing is that the video frame rate has dropped as a result of this OC. In COD, frame rates dropped from 92 or so to 80, give or take, and by installing a 2.2Ghz I would think things should jump back up fairly high...or maybe I'm high.....



DaveSimmons...

I have been thinking about that also, but I don't think I could part this out anywhere for what it's worth...but thanks.

 

[mordantmonkey]

While the processor might help.. I KNOW the memory will. HL2 is a memory hog. my friend upgraded from 512 to 1G and it got rid of his choppiness completely. but he also has a 9800 pro so i'm not sure how well it will work for you.

have you considered just upgrading w/512 to 1g of 3-3-3 and using the extra $ to upgrade the vid card instead fo the CPU? the GPU can make a BIG difference.

 

[Kenazo]

Here's my vote for keeping the system as it is, but upgrade to 1 gig of ram and reinstall windows. Get 1 gig pc3200 ram, so it's useful in the future.

A 9600xt will run HL2 fine. Sure it won't run @ max detail, but that's alright.
the cpu is also sufficient. you won't see any improvement by going to a 3000.

I'm sure wiping it out and starting fresh will solve your issues.

 

[robcy]

To be honest, you would benefit more from a GPU upgrade than a CPU upgrade. I have a 2600+ (the 133fsb kind @2133mhz) with 512mb of ddr2100and a 9700pro, and I run HL2 withour any problems. I also have a 3200+ (2.2) with another 9700pro, and if the difference in the game is more than 5% I would be amazed.

XP 2600+/9700pro is better than a 64 2800+/9600XT when it comes to games. A 9800PRO would be even better, or a 6800 vanilla would be better still. all opcions are less than $250.00 some more so than others.

 

[mordantmonkey]

i'm sorry i thought it was a 9600 SE, well a 9600 xt should be ok, but you should AT LEAST get more memory.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: Zero Cool
biostud...
Since I'm not familiar with AMD and how it uses it's cache, I was hoping that the increase from 256 to 512 would help out. Another thing is that the video frame rate has dropped as a result of this OC. In COD, frame rates dropped from 92 or so to 80, give or take, and by installing a 2.2Ghz I would think things should jump back up fairly high...or maybe I'm high.....



DaveSimmons...

I have been thinking about that also, but I don't think I could part this out anywhere for what it's worth...but thanks.

The extra cache will give you 10% max. As it has been pointed out by others a GPU upgrade will benefit you far more. I run a AthlonXP 2100+@2083Mhz + 9800pro + 1Gb ram.

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
Here's my vote for keeping the system as it is, but upgrade to 1 gig of ram and reinstall windows. Get 1 gig pc3200 ram, so it's useful in the future.

:thumbsup:

 

[Matthias99]

More RAM + faster video card >* faster CPU (which isn't really much faster if you're already running at 2.2Ghz).

 

[howdyduty]

2.2ghz should be fine. Upgrade to 1GB ram. Turn off AntiAliasing in the video settings. Use no more than 1024x768 rez. If that is not satisfactory, get a much faster vid card.

 

[jterrell]

upgrade the memory alone first.
some corsair value ram at 3200 would do nicely.
that may help you overclock even more.
check into overclocking the vid card if you haven't already.
when its all done tell your kid he's got a pretty cool dad.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: jterrell
upgrade the memory alone first.
some corsair value ram at 3200 would do nicely.
that may help you overclock even more.
check into overclocking the vid card if you haven't already.
when its all done tell your kid he's got a pretty cool dad.

Ditto that... upgrade to a full Gig of memory first and see how it runs. No need to get expensive Mushkin - that wont be a worth the extra cost. Corsair should be fine as stated above.

You might be able to squeeze a little more speed out of the vid card.