Need upgrade Advice

[RandomDude]

Hi,
Here are my system specs:
Biostar U8668-D mobo
P4 2.4gz,
256mb of pc2100 RAM
40Gb Maxtor Hard drive (7200rpm)
Geforce4 440 mx

I want to upgrade my computer so that i can run games like Far cry well. I am looking at around $400.
Any suggestion.

 

[Dman877]

2x512 PC3200 and a 9800 Pro me thinks. Can you oc that cpu any? I'm not familiar with that mobo at all.

 

[RandomDude]

You cant really overclock its a budget mobo. And the maximum RAM speed is PC2100. SO Pc3200 RAM cant berum. The 9800 pro sounds good. What you think of the processor?

 

[johnjkr1]

You really have enough cpu power, but games today need a minimum of 512, 1 gig preferred. Right now your weakest poing is your vid card, that is a horribly slow card. Minimum, you need a 9600xt for $100, or a 9800 pro would be even better for around $170. So, you at least need a new vid card and one stick of 256 ram. Then you will be able to play far cry.

 

[RandomDude]

What would recommend a 9600xt with 256mb of RAM or a 9800pro with 128mb of RAM.

 

[johnjkr1]

9800 pro, by far. I went from a 9600xt to a 9700 pro and it is amazingly quicker in games.

 

[RandomDude]

Well then ill a get a 1gb of pc2100 RAM and 9800pro. Thanx

 

[imgodlike1]

i have a 9800pro for sale, its on ebay right now, but i'd be willing to sell it outside to a fellow anandtecher. make me an offer.

 

[duragezic]

Originally posted by: RandomDude
Well then ill a get a 1gb of pc2100 RAM and 9800pro. Thanx

Well yeah man that would be the best way to go, but I thought you didn't have the budget for both like that from the sound of your original post. 256mb is definitely way too little. Unfortunately because of ram prices I'll be using 512mb for a bit longer still, but 1gb is ideal for the newest memory-hog games.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: RandomDude
Well then ill a get a 1gb of pc2100 RAM and 9800pro. Thanx

Since your motherboard isn't dual-channel-enabled, you should probably just add a 512MB stick of PC2100. 768MB of ram, along with a 9800 Pro would get you by for a little while, though you're obviously not going to be able to run at ultra-high resolutions with max eyecandy.

 

[dudeman007]

Originally posted by: Dman877
2x512 PC3200 and a 9800 Pro me thinks. Can you oc that cpu any? I'm not familiar with that mobo at all.

 

[RandomDude]

What would you guys recomened a ati 9800pro or a nvidia 5900?

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: RandomDude
What would you guys recomened a ati 9800pro or a nvidia 5900?

9800pro

 

[RS3RS]

Originally posted by: RandomDude
What would you guys recomened a ati 9800pro or a nvidia 5900?

9800 pro, no doubt. Check out the Sapphire 9800 pro's off of newegg.com, they were at $175 last time I checked.

 

[Gurck]

I'd recommend a 9800pro and another 256mb of ram. Investing in two 512mb sticks of pc-2100 might not be the best idea, as it's rather slow and if you were to upgrade your mb you'd want to get rid of it and get faster ram. Especially with current ram prices. You already have 256, so another one will be a minor investment; the most bang for the buck in your situation. The 9800 will make up for only having 512mb ram (well, compared to your current setup) and then some, it's a nice card.

 

[Bonesdad]

X800

 

[duragezic]

Originally posted by: RS3RS

Originally posted by: RandomDude
What would you guys recomened a ati 9800pro or a nvidia 5900?

9800 pro, no doubt. Check out the Sapphire 9800 pro's off of newegg.com, they were at $175 last time I checked.

No, dont get the one for $175. As people have discovered, it only has 128bit memory, sorta like an SE, but I doubt there's anyway to mod these to a real 9800Pro. The real ones cost around $200 still.