Upgrade gpu or cpu

[CU]

My system spec are in my sig. Also the 6800 will not unlock. I normally play games at 1280x960 or 1024x768. I also like using AA when I can and that is getting rare. My thought is get a opteron 146 or something and the Asrock 939-SATA. That seems to make more since than buying a highend agp card now. I only want to spend $200-$250. I currently have a the 146 on backorder at buy.com.

 

[CU]

Anyone have any opinions or comments?

 

[selfbuilt]

Seems like a reasonable plan, as that P4 is likely holding you back in newer games. And I agree, not much point in upgrading further along AGP path (I'm a happy AGP X800XTPE person mself - but that will only hold me over until my next system rebuild)

 

[JAG87]

definetely the cpu.
your video card is not exactly leading edge, but upgrading it would be like putting a ferrari engine in a malibu. you just wont benefit at all from a better gpu. and plus you cant get THAT much better, i mean you could go for a 6800 ultra, or an X850, but this is all pointless if you are still running an old generation P4 at 2.3 ghz.

edit: cpu speed (had 1.8)

 

[shimsham]

that asrock is a good board, and a good upgrade path, IMO.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: shimsham
that asrock is a good board, and a good upgrade path, IMO.

I agree. The 6800 should still be more or less sufficient for 1280x960 (and especially so for 1024x768), but a P4 2.3 is really kinda slow these days. I think you'll get a lot of use out of that combo (Opteron+ASRock board). I've had no real problems with my board, and when I have the money later this year, I can just sell my AGP 6800GT and drop in a PCI-E X1900XT or something.

 

[CU]

Thanks for all the advice. It is nice hearing you are right especially when it comes to spending money. Now if buy.com will get the 146 in stock. I placed the order right before the prices went up.

 

[TSS]

then you got very lucky

but yes, its definatly the CPU. that 6800 will last you atleast untill the G80/R600 generation (maybe even the next though dont count on AA anymore), though you might think about upgrading it then.