Really worth it?

[PoxMeister]

Hello everyone,

This is my 1st post on these forums. From what I've read so far, most folks here seem very knowledgeable and friendly so I wanted to ask for some opinions.

I'm debating on whether to upgrade some hardware right now. Here's my current rig;

OS: Win2KPro
MSI 845 Ultra-AR Mobo (4xAGP, 100MHz IDE, supports 400MHz FSB Intel processor)
Intel P4 1.8GHz CPU (400MHz FSB - NOT overclocked)
768MB PC2100 RAM (Crucial - one 512 module, one 256 module)
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
Maxtor DiamondMax 160GB ATA 133 Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
Soundblaster Live! PCI sound card
Linksys 10/100 PCI ethernet card
CD-ROM drive
CD-RW drive
floppy drive
Thermaltake 420W powersupply
Raidmax Extreme case (7 fans - side window w/side fan)


I've been fairly happy with this rig, but I get some choppiness and slight stutter sometimes in some games. Not hugely, but enough that I'm wanting smoother play. I'm a bit of a freak for seamless gameplay as best can be achieved.

It's been over a year since I upgraded my PC, so I was thinking of just doing a mobo, CPU and RAM upgrade. I am not an overclocker, so looking for suggestions with stock setting hardware.

I really like the price vs features of the IC7 board, but price is not a huge factor. I'm willing to pay for what it takes to achieve a decent improvement over my current setup. I would like to stay in the $500-$600 or so range if possible.

So, is there anyone who had been running something similar to what I have now and has upgraded to say an IC7 with a P4 2.6c - 3.0c 800MHz FSB and PC3200-3500 RAM? If so, did you realize significant performance improvement in gameplay? Or should I just go for the IS7?

I guess I'm wondering if it's worth it for me to upgrade what I have now (meaning would I see marked improvement) or wait for the new line of Processors coming out later this year. All comments/recommendations/opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[Vette73]

If not a overclocker and you are into games then look at a current Athlon64 3000+ system

 

[tallman45]

First thing is to move to a disk subsystem vs a single drive rig then you will reduce the access times a lot. As for a system upgrade, I would wait the performance gain that you will see is not that great.

 

[PoxMeister]

Tallman45,

"First thing is to move to a disk subsystem vs a single drive rig then you will reduce the access times a lot."

That sounds like a cheap alternative for the time being since you say the performance gain of an upgrade won't be that great. However, I know jack about dual disk setups. This MSI board I have does have ATA 133 RAID 0 or 1 capability, is that what you mean? So setting up dual disks using RAID with this board will boost performance alot?

Would I have to do a total reformat if I go to a RAID setup? Sorry, I'm a total noob on RAID.