Upgrade recommendation ? Suggestions wanted!

[Quixfire]

I am looking to upgrade my PC in the next few months. Based on my usage, gaming, programming and general web research, I was wondering what would give me the most bang for my buck.

Quixfire 1200

I am looking to improve my CPU, Motherboard, or Video Card.

Which would give me the most for my money and what product do you recommend?

 

[Quixfire]

Did I write this request incorrectly?

I really would like some feedback on what component would provide the best performance increase for my money.

 

[Mercurien]

A new CPU would make everything go a lot faster. The problem with that is you'll need a new motherboard too. The 2500+ Barton is a great value right now. A new video card would help in gaming too.

 

[lazybum131]

a new video card will help with the gaming part. If you don't upgrade the video card, only CPU and mobo, then your games probably won't run any faster.

opposite will be true for general usage, a newer videocard will do squat for 2-D operation.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mercurien
A new CPU would make everything go a lot faster. The problem with that is you'll need a new motherboard too. The 2500+ Barton is a great value right now. A new video card would help in gaming too.

Why would I need a new motherboard, couldn't I just move up to a 2200+ that still uses the 266 FSB?

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: lazybum131
a new video card will help with the gaming part. If you don't upgrade the video card, only CPU and mobo, then your games probably won't run any faster.

opposite will be true for general usage, a newer videocard will do squat for 2-D operation.

Thanks for the feedback, that is what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. The question is what video card should I upgrade to? I have a AIW 7500 now, but I don't need another AIW I could move the one I have into my son's computer and use it there.

 

[modestninja]

It would be a lot easier if you gave us a budget, but here's the best bang for the buck components as I see 'em.

Processor: 1700+ B $47-60 (if you want to oc)
or a 2500+ Barton $85.00

Mobo: Epox 8RDA+ $79
or more expensive but a little better Abit nf7-s $110

Video Card: Cheap - Ti4200 ~$120 (more or less depending on which one and where).
Moderate - 9600pro ~$140
Higher - 9800se ~$200
Even Higher - 9800np ~$240
High End - 9800pro ~$300

Personally, if it was me I'd grab the 9800np, then the Nf7-s and 2500+.

 

[jacktesterson]

I would drop the ECS board. It won't allow Bartons or faster ram

Heres a cheap solution with a lot of performance increase

Barton XP 2500
Soltek NV400-L64
Sapphire Radeon 9100 128MB
512MB PC3200 Infineon Ram

Total : $330 plus tax/shipping. Shipping may be free, where ever you buy

also may find this stuff for less

 

[jacktesterson]

Originally posted by: AMDHardcoreFan
I would drop the ECS board. It won't allow Bartons or faster ram

Heres a cheap solution with a lot of performance increase

Barton XP 2500
Soltek NV400-L64
Sapphire Radeon 9100 128MB
512MB PC3200 Infineon Ram

Total : $330 plus tax/shipping. Shipping may be free, where ever you buy

also may find this stuff for less

your not going to find any more performance for price than this combo. The RAM works well, The Vid card is cheap, good quality DVD/Image, comparable to a GF4 4200 in gaming, the Soltek Mobo is a cheap Nforce2 board that is rock solid and fast as he!!....and the Barton 2500 is the bang for buck processor

Edit: the L64 is the Single channel version of the motherboard. I hate 64 in names, but it actually doesn't mean half the bandwidth or anything like say, TNT M64 video cards

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: AMDHardcoreFan

Originally posted by: AMDHardcoreFan
I would drop the ECS board. It won't allow Bartons or faster ram

Heres a cheap solution with a lot of performance increase

Barton XP 2500
Soltek NV400-L64
Sapphire Radeon 9100 128MB
512MB PC3200 Infineon Ram

Total : $330 plus tax/shipping. Shipping may be free, where ever you buy

also may find this stuff for less

your not going to find any more performance for price than this combo. The RAM works well, The Vid card is cheap, good quality DVD/Image, comparable to a GF4 4200 in gaming, the Soltek Mobo is a cheap Nforce2 board that is rock solid and fast as he!!....and the Barton 2500 is the bang for buck processor

Edit: the L64 is the Single channel version of the motherboard. I hate 64 in names, but it actually doesn't mean half the bandwidth or anything like say, TNT M64 video cards

wow someone quoting his own post than praise the hell out of it! =P

but yes his suggestion is a nice and cheap one. check out the biostar nforce2 400 in newegg (the single channel nforce2)

 

[jacktesterson]

haha it was a mistake

I meant to add it as a Edit :-(

 

[povertystruck]

newegg sucks go to www.tigerdirect.com 110 dollars will get you a motherboard and a 2.4ghz celeron
100 dollard will get you a mobo and 1900 athlon xp



I have a question do all mobo/cpu combos have cpu soldered on? Because some of the motherboard combos say you can upgrade.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: povertystruck
newegg sucks go to www.tigerdirect.com 110 dollars will get you a motherboard and a 2.4ghz celeron
100 dollard will get you a mobo and 1900 athlon xp



I have a question do all mobo/cpu combos have cpu soldered on? Because some of the motherboard combos say you can upgrade.

i hope you're not kidding. unless you work for tigerdirect...

and most cpu's are not soldered on, except the ones in the SFF systems (the VIA C3) or something like that

but "newegg sucks go to www.tigerdirect.com 110 dollars will get you a motherboard and a 2.4ghz celeron "

i found 3 things wrong with that one sentence...

 

[Quixfire]

You asked for my budget, well i would like to keep it under $150.00. A CPU and/or Motherboard or a newer Video Card is all I am looking for; I don't want/need to do all three now.

As for the Barton core CPU, would it give me a better increase than just adding a faster 266 FSB CPU using my current RAM and board? I know I would have to change the motherboard if I choose the Barton Core Processor.

Or would my current CPU/Motherboard work better if I upgraded my Video card? I prefer ATI retail cards.

I am not unhappy with my system as it is now, but on some demanding games, like BF1942, AOM, & Dungeon Siege, the system is working hard to play at 800x600@32bit with High Quality settings.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
You asked for my budget, well i would like to keep it under $150.00. A CPU and/or Motherboard or a newer Video Card is all I am looking for; I don't want/need to do all three now.

As for the Barton core CPU, would it give me a better increase than just adding a faster 266 FSB CPU using my current RAM and board? I know I would have to change the motherboard if I choose the Barton Core Processor.

Or would my current CPU/Motherboard work better if I upgraded my Video card? I prefer ATI retail cards.

I am not unhappy with my system as it is now, but on some demanding games, like BF1942, AOM, & Dungeon Siege, the system is working hard to play at 800x600@32bit with High Quality settings.

You could try upgrading just the video card. I would recommend the $240 ATI 9800NP personally. It is a fast card and dx9 compatible (for future games). Then I would upgrade your CPU/mobo down the road. If you can afford it though, do it all at the same time. I would also recommend the Barton 2500 and nf2 mobo.

 

[JulesMaximus]

BTW-Newegg rules. I would highly recommend them. Although I've used Tigerdirect, and they are a reputable company, their prices aren't quite as competitive as newegg.