Should I upgrade?

[neop]

Specs: 2400+ AMD (running at 2.01 GHZ, i think that's the stock speed).
512 PC3200 RAM
Geforce4 Ti4600
420W PSU

I plan on getting a NEC monitor that will most likely only support 1280x1024 max resolution and I would like to be able to play games for atleast a year (hopefully 18 months+) on it. I read the article on Hardops about the CPU limiting the video card. It was mostly centered around the top of the line ones though. I was wondering would I be able to get the most out of a 6800GT?Would my current system be a bottleneck? Is it worth buying that card for 1280x1024 with as many effects on as possible? I also looked at the 9800 128MB pro. I considered the 256MB version of the 9800pro also, because of the ability to flash it to XT speeds easily. The cheapest I found the 9800pro (Sapphire) was $263 from Newegg. With the 6800GT (PNY) @ $339. So which is the better deal to hopefully last me till Xmas '05.

Please don't respond with any card over $350, thanks.

 

[FluxCap]

No, your CPU definitely will NOT get the most out of a 6800GT.

Where are you planning on getting the PNY for $339? The buy.com deal? That may not work out in my opinion.

 

[neop]

Provantage.com. So what do you suggest? No upgrade,slight upgrade?

 

[Ulchieman]

Hmm....well I have a question as well.
I have a barton 2500. When I OC and play Ravenshield the temp remains stable and only 5 degrees higher than normal. So I can get 3200 speeds no problem. What I'm wondering is if I should get a new graphics card as I currently have a ti4200. I wanna play Doom 3 and HL2 come August 3rd/whenever HL2 comes out.

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: Ulchieman
Hmm....well I have a question as well.
I have a barton 2500. When I OC and play Ravenshield the temp remains stable and only 5 degrees higher than normal. So I can get 3200 speeds no problem. What I'm wondering is if I should get a new graphics card as I currently have a ti4200. I wanna play Doom 3 and HL2 come August 3rd/whenever HL2 comes out.

yes

 

[jim1976]

Your cpu will be a bottleneck for GT. A 9800pro will match better with that system and most probably will let you play at 1024x768 with all eye candy on for the next year.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

more memory and new videocard.

 

[Jeff7181]

Go ahead and get the 6800GT. Don't let people tell you you shouldn't have one because your CPU will be the limiting factor. Who cares if it's the limiting factor? All that means is you won't get over 500 frames per second in Quake 3. Far Cry, Doom 3, and Half Life 2 will all be GPU limited even on an Athlon64 FX53.

Use vsync and enjoy free AA and AF at 1024x768. Have fun with your 6800GT.

 

[neop]

Thanks for the replies. The difference between 6800GT and 9800 Pro is $100 that's why I am wondering what people thought. I don't wish to 'waste' $100, when I would definitely upgrade the 9800 pro and may end up upgrading the GT next year anyway. After I get a whole new setup that is.

 

[Yanagi]

Well if you're willing shelling out 200 bucks now and 400 bucks next year (hypotheticly [sp?]) you could always buy a better gfx card than a gt in one years time. i think the 9800pro still would be able to play games for the next year, though not with all the eye candy.

 

[neop]

Well next year I will rebuild a whole new computer. Which I may even use my 9800 pro in until August or whenever the best of the best comes out next year, or possibly settle for x800/900 depending what is out and what kind of increases are gained.

I want decent graphics, as best as I can get without a major upgrade. I know I'm not going to be running full AA/AF 1600x1200 resolution with my current setup x800PE or not. Someone posted about the MSI 128MB 9800 pro from newegg for just under $200. I think I may go with that offer.

 

[hazarorgana]

Somebody tested a 6800GT on a P4 2GHz here: http://3dgpu.com/archives/2004/07/19/pny-verto-geforce-6800gt . Based on the Far Cry test result, and if you want to play the newest games, I would suggest getting a 6800GT instead of a 9800pro.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: FluxCap
No, your CPU definitely will NOT get the most out of a 6800GT.

Where are you planning on getting the PNY for $339? The buy.com deal? That may not work out in my opinion.

an athlon 64 3700+ doesnt get the most out of a 6800 GT


It's still a huge performance jump from a 4600


I think it's a fine upgrade neop.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: jim1976
Your cpu will be a bottleneck for GT. A 9800pro will match better with that system and most probably will let you play at 1024x768 with all eye candy on for the next year.

Why would you want to downgrade to match a system? He might as well have the better card for when he upgrades everything else.

 

[neop]

Alright I realize there isn't going to be an 'optimal' situation where the video card and cpu are the perfect speed for each other.

I still am not sure over which is the better deal, an O/C 9800 pro to 98XT speeds for around $200 or the GT for $350. Obviously for a small budget the 98pro. My budget isn't necessarily tight but I don't want to pay for more than necessary.

Here's another question would it be better to go for 9800 pro 128MB + 512MB PC3200 ram or 9800 pro 256MB (flashed and O/C'ed to XT speeds and a little cheaper than the other two options) or 6800GT. Oh just so you realize I'm talking about new games (D3/HL2/UT2k4, D3 especially).

Thanks for all the responses keep them coming as I will have to choose something by friday.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: neop
Alright I realize there isn't going to be an 'optimal' situation where the video card and cpu are the perfect speed for each other.

I still am not sure over which is the better deal, an O/C 9800 pro to 98XT speeds for around $200 or the GT for $350. Obviously for a small budget the 98pro. My budget isn't necessarily tight but I don't want to pay for more than necessary.

Here's another question would it be better to go for 9800 pro 128MB + 512MB PC3200 ram or 9800 pro 256MB (flashed and O/C'ed to XT speeds and a little cheaper than the other two options) or 6800GT. Oh just so you realize I'm talking about new games (D3/HL2/UT2k4, D3 especially).

Thanks for all the responses keep them coming as I will have to choose something by friday.

I wouldnt buy a 256 MB 9800

I would buy the 6800 GT (my pick)

or 9800 128 + 512 MB of ram

 

[neop]

I'm going to see if I could get a friend to give me his XT for $200.

I don't think I would do the 256MB 9800 pro anyway just throwing it out there.

The 128MB 98pro I may end up with and just go all out next year.

Hard choices after seeing ATI cards 'suck' (more than nvidia) in the d3 benchmark as I care about that game more than hl2.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would definately try to upgrade the RAM regardless of what video card you choose. Most of the newer games coming out now "prefer" 1GB of RAM, especially if you want to play multi-player without stuttering.

Might try overclocking the CPU and your existing video card and see how far you can get, if you feel comfortable doing so. The CPU should have some headroom if it is a TBred-B or newer. The video card I don't know.