Generally speaking... how big of a difference will I see after this upgrade?

[Epsil0n00]

I am getting excited about my upgrade that I'm ordering parts for soon... but I am curious just how much of a difference I will notice from the new hardware vs. my current setup. I know I could benchmark it, etc... but I want to know what you think the difference will be in the "feel" of the performance.

Feel free to use qualatative statements like, "It will seem like butter compared to your molasses-slow old hardware." You don't need to give me numbers... just let me know if you think this new setup will blow the old one out of the water, or what?

OLD:
Abit KR7A-RAID KT266
Athlon XP 2400 at stock 2.0GHz
1GB PC2100
60GB 7200rpm 2MB Cache HDD
GeForce 6800 NU AGP @ stock speed

NEW:
Abit KN8 Ultra nF4
Opteron 144 or 146 (depends on price when I order)
2GB PC3200
200-400GB 7200rpm 16MB Cache HDD
GeForce 6800GS PCIe

What do you think? Is this a big upgrade? I am interested in performance differences in games and graphics apps like Photoshop, InDesign, etc. I imagine that I'll get the best boost out of the updated GPU and not having a CPU that bottlenecks my GPU.

Interested to hear your opinions!
Eps.

 

[ORGANDONOR]

sounds like a good mid-budget system to me

 

[bamacre]

Looks like you'll have more storage space.

 

[Megatomic]

You're going to see a dramatic increase in gaming performance for sure. Depending on what you do graphically you may or may not see a tremendous boost there. Overall that's going to be a really sweet computer.

 

[imported_killuminati]

spend $75 more and get a 7800GT .

Peace & ciao !!!

 

[EagleEye]

Originally posted by: killuminati
spend $75 more and get a 7800GT .

Peace & ciao !!!

Yeah, it will be roughly twice as good? Also, get the 144, 146 and the 144 oc the same so stay with the 144.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: killuminati
spend $75 more and get a 7800GT .

Peace & ciao !!!

Yeah, that would be nice... but I am already going way over my budget...
I wanted to spend $300 for the mobo, CPU and RAM; under $200 for the HDD and I wasn't even planning on upgrading my video card. So that's like $500...

Currently I am already planning on spending $200 for the CPU, $100 for the mobo, $100 for 1GB of RAM (will have to get the 2nd 1GB DIMM later), $200 or so for the HDD and then $200 or so for the 6800GS. Then I also realized that I might need to upgrade my 350W PWS as well, so that's like $50. Hmmm... $850 when I only wanted to spend $500. I will be able to sell my 6800 AGP on eBay for like $150, but still... thats a lot more than I wanted to spend. (I wasn't sure I wanted to make the PCIe jump at this point, but I have since decided that it was the right time).

Eps.

 

[Twsmit]

get a better video card, like someone said the 7800GT. Your new system is a great deal better than your old, but the 6800GS is just a baby step up from what you had before in the grand scheme of things.

 

[imported_killuminati]

the 6800GS would hold more then a year , by looking at the graphics advancements .( R520 then R580 , G70 and now G71 ) .

with the 7800GT u get 8 pixelpipeline more . and by OC speeds of 7800GTX .

Peace & ciao !!!

 

[thescreensavers]

Is it that abits is going out of bizness?

 

[Akhen]

maybe if you try selling some of your older components you can reach that 7800GT

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: Akhen
maybe if you try selling some of your older components you can reach that 7800GT

Could be... I might be able to fetch $150 for my Abit KR7A-RAID mobo, AthlonXP 2400 and 1GB of PC2100.

I have thought about keeping it and setting it up in another case as a lower-end email/internet work station... but we'll see. I am definently selling my old 6800AGP video card to finance the new video card (can't play games on two computers at once anyhow).

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

I'd go with the EPoX 9nPA+ Ultra instead of the Abit, but whatever. You'll get a decent gaming boost, but not that much. General use should be much faster with the Opteron and faster 16MB hard drive. Looks like a great upgrade to me.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
I'd go with the EPoX 9nPA+ Ultra instead of the Abit, but whatever. You'll get a decent gaming boost, but not that much. General use should be much faster with the Opteron and faster 16MB hard drive. Looks like a great upgrade to me.

I have not commited to the Abit... why would you suggest the EPoX 9nPA+ Ultra instead? What advantages does it offer over the Abit? It looks pretty similar... and the price is quite similar--about $100 for either one. Do you know of any hot deals on the EPoX right now?

Thanks for the opinion!
Epsil0n

 

[kd2777]

I agree with the others. Get a 3200 Vince for about 160 and get the 7800GT, with out it I don't think you'll get much of a gaming boost. If you don't game, I would just keep what you have for a little longer and up grade when the new socket comes out so you will have more of an upgrade path.

kd

 

[royalk4]

Do you need 400GB of storage? If not zipzoomfly has some good deals on both UATA and SATA HDD right now. Anywhere from 50-105 bucks with 2 day free FEDEX shipping, much better than UPS imo. I just ordered a 200GB SATA from there for 95 w/ shipping. That would save you 100 bucks that could go towards the GPU.

 

[kd2777]

Here you go. This about as good as you can do for the moment.

80.00 MSI board.
164.00 AMD 3200 Venice.
81.00 Corsair VS RAM
110.00 250GB WD HDD.
289.00 eVGA 7800GT

The card has 20.00 MIR, after that it comes to 704.00 plus 22.93 shipping.

There is only one GB of RAM here, but you can add another later. Another option if Cash is tight, is to get a good mATX board with onboard video and use it until you can get the video card. Like this one. Just some thoughts.

kd

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

The EPoX 9nPA+ Ultra overclocks better than the Abit. It's almost as good as the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D in overclocking.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Alright, that's two suggestions for the Athlon 3200 Venice...
Which is better: Athlon 3200 Venice or Opteron 146?

 

[Hottuna64]

everything is sweet except for ur graphics card. the GS isnt much of a jump over ur current GT. i say get a 7800gt. they getting really cheap now.

 

[dab]

Can I buy your agp 6800 off ya when you're done with it?

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: dab
Can I buy your agp 6800 off ya when you're done with it?

Hey dab, YGPM

 

[dab]

replied.

 

[firewolfsm]

yeah, but the low multiplyer on the 144 does limit OCs (check the opty OC results thread)

what PSU do you have, the new system will eat more power

 

[imported_killuminati]

This Epox Nforce4 Ultra mobo is inexpensive :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123258

its better then the MSI one quoted above coz this one has the Ultra chipset .

Peace & ciao !!!