Debottlenecking my PC gaming performance

[Akaz1976]

My current system is as follows:

[Operating System]
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Build 2600
Service Pack: Service Pack 3


AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ ----------------------------------------------------

[General Information]
Processor Name: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+
Original Processor Freqency: 2400.0 MHz
Original Processor Freqency [MHz]: 2400
CPU Brand Name: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4800+
CPU Vendor: AuthenticAMD
CPU Stepping: JH-E6
CPU Code Name: Toledo
CPU Platform: Socket 939
Number of CPU Cores: 2
Number of Logical CPUs: 2

BIOS ----------------------------------------------------------------------

BIOS Vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Version: 1303
BIOS Release Date: 07/13/2006

Mainboard -----------------------------------------------------------------

Mainboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Mainboard Name: A8N32-SLI-Deluxe
Mainboard Version: Rev 1.xx

Memory --------------------------------------------------------------------

Row: 0 - 1024 MB PC3200 DDR-SDRAM Corsair CMX1024-3500LLPRO --------------
Row: 1 - 1024 MB PC3200 DDR-SDRAM Corsair CMX1024-3500LLPRO --------------


BFG GeForce 7900 GTX

Maxtor 7L300S0
WDC WD740GD-00FLA0
PLEXTOR DVDR PX-716A
PLEXTOR DVDR PX-716A

Creative SB0350 Audigy ZS

Could i significantly improve performance by spending couple of 100 dollars (i am in canada but go to US often). Could add another 7900GTX? more RAM?

Thanks



EDIT: Just realized how OLD my system is. Time flies when you have kids. I had to go back 3 years just to find a vid card review that even listed the 7900 (and even there it barely made the grade). I am surprised i am still able to play any games.

Seems that i might have to gut the system and upgrade CPU, GPU and RAM. I am not even sure if the MB would even handle a new CPU (sockets use to change every 2 years not sure if that is still the case)

 

[Firsttime]

I would grab one of these and you would probably need a new PSU too, if you could tell us what it is that would help. A full upgrade would be better, CPU sockets have changed AM3 is the standard AMD socket now, so you would literally need to upgrade everything. A new video card would for sure help, your CPU is most likely fine for most games though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150337 (ATI 4850)

If you need a new PSU I would grab something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341022

So yeah I think that would be a decent upgrade, it would give you playability in most games. But you will want to look at upgrading your MB/CPU/RAM in the near future to keep that playability. Your RAM is especially dated, 2 gigs doesn't really cut it anymore. You can build a full new system for pretty cheap now. It's an awesome time to be a desktop builder imo. Parts are so much cheaper then they used to be.


edit: forgot you were in Canada, but I'm sure you can find the same type parts no problem on NCIX.

 

[Akaz1976]

Good ideas. The new HD5850 got a fantastic review but would that be an overkill with the CPU? Also i can swap out and maybe add more RAM. What is the biggest DDR1 single DIMM (EDIT: 1gig apparently, and apparently mobo has just 2 slots, so i am stuck at 2gig RAM)? Cuz if CPU will not be a huge bottleneck then rest of the stuff (vid card & RAM) is relatively easy to replace (i havnt built a new system on my own in nearly 6 years).

Also how do i check my PSU without looking under the hood (even if it is possible)

EDIT: i go to US often enought that US pricing would apply to me.

 

[alyarb]

DDR1 is such a rip off. don't invest any money into your platform. only buy things that you can "take with you" to a new system (like a video card).

socket 939 parts are expensive and difficult to come by. if you ask me, i would sell the video card, cpu/mobo/ram ASAP while you can still get $150-250 for it all.

i would get a phenom 2 550 with a gigabyte 790GX motherboard ($200 combo on newegg), unlock the CPU to a quad-core, overclock it, and just chill with the integrated graphics until the 4890 comes down to $100 (couple months).


of course, you haven't told us what you do with your machine, what games you play, what resolution play at or really anything at all except what you have. so it's possible that a 4850 would be plenty for you.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: alyarb
of course, you haven't told us what you do with your machine, what games you play, what resolution play at or really anything at all except what you have.

This. Too many OPs leave this info out.

Originally posted by: akaz1976
Also how do i check my PSU without looking under the hood

I'm afraid you will have to check inside your case ("under the hood"). The PSU specs should be clearly displayed on the label.

Originally posted by: akaz1976
Debottlenecking

Ugh <shudders> hideous term.

Maybe engineers' terminology is to blame - after all, they are the sort to "delock" their door when they get home.

 

[Akaz1976]

I tend to play all sorts of games. (FPS, RTS etc). Usually my PC ability to process graphics is the limiting factor (have not play Crysis or Empire total war for that reason).

My monitor is a 24" 1080p one so thats the resolution i try to get at if i can.

I will check the PSU when i get home. If it will support a new GFX (HD5850 = ~$300) i might do that otherwise just wait till i can afford to spend $6-800 to do full upgrade.

 

[Fox5]

Ditch the old system and just do a rebuild.

I suppose you could buy a new video card for now, but it'll be cpu bottlenecked in a lot of games.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Akaz1976
Good ideas. The new HD5850 got a fantastic review but would that be an overkill with the CPU? Also i can swap out and maybe add more RAM. What is the biggest DDR1 single DIMM (EDIT: 1gig apparently, and apparently mobo has just 2 slots, so i am stuck at 2gig RAM)? Cuz if CPU will not be a huge bottleneck then rest of the stuff (vid card & RAM) is relatively easy to replace (i havnt built a new system on my own in nearly 6 years).

Also how do i check my PSU without looking under the hood (even if it is possible)

EDIT: i go to US often enought that US pricing would apply to me.

it would.
don't buy a video card that is over kill. these things depreciate like the dickens. unless your cpu /mb upgrade is a month away dont buy something that will be bottleneckecd by your cpu,tossing money down the drain

 

[happy medium]

I think your best upgrade would be a hd4770 @ 1920x1200. It would be 2x faster then your 7900gtx at that resolution and only 95$ shipped at Newegg. It also uses about the same amount power then the 7900gtx so your power supply is fine.
You could play Crysis at med settings.

 

[vj8usa]

Don't forget that you can get a ton of money for a socket 939 X2 4800+ (easily $200+). You should be able to switch to a significantly faster modern dual/quad core setup for very little out of pocket.

 

[Akaz1976]

Originally posted by: vj8usa
Don't forget that you can get a ton of money for a socket 939 X2 4800+ (easily $200+). You should be able to switch to a significantly faster modern dual/quad core setup for very little out of pocket.

I am surprised at that. I havnt traded hardware for a while. I would have thought somethign that old would be nearly useless. But good to know!

 

[Akaz1976]

Originally posted by: happy medium
I think your best upgrade would be a hd4770 @ 1920x1200. It would be 2x faster then your 7900gtx at that resolution and only 95$ shipped at Newegg. It also uses about the same amount power then the 7900gtx so your power supply is fine.
You could play Crysis at med settings.

I think this is my best bet to get an additional year out of my computer. The main game that i wanted to play and havnt is Empires:Total War and the 4770 might just do the trick.

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: Akaz1976

Originally posted by: happy medium
I think your best upgrade would be a hd4770 @ 1920x1200. It would be 2x faster then your 7900gtx at that resolution and only 95$ shipped at Newegg. It also uses about the same amount power then the 7900gtx so your power supply is fine.
You could play Crysis at med settings.

I think this is my best bet to get an additional year out of my computer. The main game that i wanted to play and havnt is Empires:Total War and the 4770 might just do the trick.

I'd strongly advise you to sell your CPU/mobo/RAM soon and upgrade to something newer instead of just getting a new video card. You'll most likely experience major slowdowns in Empire: Total War with your CPU, no matter how much GPU power you have.
http://www.pcgameshardware.com...with-14-CPUs/Practice/

Also, I have no idea how long the steady stream of people paying a hefty premium for socket 939 dual core CPUs will last. Right now, you could swap your current CPU/mobo/RAM for something like the Pentium E6300 for free after selling your 4800+. Heck, you might even make some money off of the switch.

 

[SonicIce]

Actually your system is very well balanced the way you have it right now