Need input on low budget upgrade.

[DeRusto]

I'm trying to update my computer on a broke student's budget.
Currently I have:

Athlon 64 X2 3600+
2 GB DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Nvidia 6800 XT AGP (this is the issue)

This system is starting to show its age and I am trying to upgrade it for cheap.
I've been thinking of getting a AMD 780G motherboard to upgrade to PCI Express but I was wondering how the onboard HD 3200 graphics compare to the 6800 XT. If it is comparable or better, I might hold off on purchasing a new video card with the motherboard until later.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to really find a good benchmark for the performance of the onboard video in comparison to anything useful for my situation. So, I figured I would ask on Anandtech. What do you think would be my best course of action?

 

[eddiebravo]

i have a very similar set-up(3200+, 6800gt, 1gig ram) and i just bought the following stuff for an upgrade:

bfg 9800gt oc (after trading in my 6800 through a sweet deal with BFG)
e5200
gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P P45 775 R - Retail
OCZ Reaper HPC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1150 (PC2 9200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
antec earthwatts 500w

total for everything is $323, which i think is pretty great.

 

[Denithor]

Buy a cheap AM2 motherboard (like one of these) and this 4670 ($64AR).

For just over $100 after rebates you won't believe the difference in games.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: DeRusto
Need input on low budget upgrade.

What do you think would be my best course of action?

We need input on what kind of budget you have to work with before we can make appropriate recommendations.

 

[DSF]

I assume this is for gaming?

 

[gdextreme]

I would recommend my system configuration:

Intel Pentium E5200 ~$84 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116072
Gigabyte G31-ES2L ~$55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128357
MSI 4670 ~$79 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127383

Total - $218

Note: You might need 800MHZ RAM to overclock your CPU beyond 3.25Ghz.

 

[DeRusto]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: DeRusto
Need input on low budget upgrade.

What do you think would be my best course of action?

We need input on what kind of budget you have to work with before we can make appropriate recommendations.

$200-300 would be ideal

 

[DeRusto]

Originally posted by: DSF
I assume this is for gaming?

Yes, this is a gaming computer.

 

[jacktesterson]

Go AMD

Still cant beat the price for performance in this price range. If your looking at gaming, go with a cheap dual core AMD.

I'd recommend a Radeon 4670. It plays all my stuff on max with no hiccups at 1366*768.
I bought mine (an O/C'd version) for $100 + tax

Get a 5000+ and a cheap AM2+ mobo, and for $220 ish you wont beleive the difference


the 4670 is maybe the best sub $100 video card released in years in my opinion.