Will my System hold back a 6800GT?

[Dreamcat]

I've looked around at many reviews and forums over the last couple days, but haven't been able to determine a definitive answer, so I thought I would ask my favorite PC crowd at the AT forums.

I am looking at the 6800GT as an option for a new vid card, since there is an AGP version going for $269 at the Egg. (Albatron branded)
I was wondering if it is worth the upgrade, as I can play BF2 and EQ2 at decent looking middle settings at 1024x768 (my preferred resolution). Or will my system limit the 6800GT too much to be worth it?
And, with that 7800GT plus free mobo deal, should I save up and go for that instead of a new card for my current system.
I do mostly gaming, plus a bit of video and audio editing.

My current PC specs are:

AMD Athlon XP 1400+ (oc'ed to 185x11 = 2035mhz)
Soltek SL-75FRN-L "Golden Flame" (nVidia nForce II)
2 sticks of 512mb Geil Ultra PC 3200 with copper heatsink
ATI 9600 Pro at stock speeds
Audigy 2 ZS sound card
450 watt Power Supply
DVD Dual Layer R/RW
DVD Drive
floppy drive
TV Tuner PCI card
Front panel 10 in 1 memory card reader / Front audio and video and USB and Sata / LCD screen with dual temp and fan monitor
A couple pci slot fans for exhaust, rear fan, side fan

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Darkstar757]

yeah bro its time for a new cpu move to a 2500 at least

 

[mOeeOm]

Yes it will be held back, its time for a new mobo+cpu.

 

[Dreamcat]

So, a new CPU, or whole new system?

A 3200+ for my current system runs at 2200mhz, but needs a 200FSB to do so.
I can't get my FSB above 185 right now.
I'm afraid if I buy a new CPU that needs 200FSB, I may find out it's my RAM holding the FSB back, and need new RAM as well. But, it is 3200 RAM. Shouldn't it go to 200FSB with no problem?

Plus, what type of performance increase are we talking from a 1400+ XP 2036mhz to the 3000+ with 2200mhz?

Annnd, if were talking a new system, that 7800GT with a feree mobo looks pretty nice.

 

[MBrown]

get a whole new system.

 

[Bateluer]

Looks like all you need is a new mobo, CPU, and video card. You can likely reuse the same RAM, hdds, optical drives, etc.

s939/venic combo isn't too pricey.

 

[sundev]

Originally posted by: Dreamcat
So, a new CPU, or whole new system?

If you have the money, upgrade to A64 S939. You can get a 3000+ Venice for like $150 (new), and a motherboard for maybe $125. Put that with a 6800GT and you have a nice gaming machine, which has decent overclockability as well.

 

[Spacecomber]

I'd say that you would get a significant performance boost by upgrading to a 6800GT. Although your system will be CPU bound, I don't think going from a 2.0GHZ Athlon XP to a 2.2GHz Athlon XP will make enough difference to bother with that upgrade.

The question really is whether it makes any sense to buy an AGP card, now, for your motherboard and processor, since these are pretty much at the limit of what a socket A system can offer, and they still pose a significant bottleneck. Chances are that your next motherboard will be a PCIe motherboard; so, buying a relatively expensive AGP video card, now, has its disadvantages in the longer run.

Also, when it comes to BF2, you'll soon find that your 1GB of system RAM will not quite be enough to run that 6800GT at High textures setting. You'll have to either add more RAM or drop the texture setting down to Medium to avoid video stuttering when playing online.

Nevertheless, I still jumped on the chance to pick up a refurbished 6800GT when it was selling or $210, and I'm running it with Athlon XP clocked at 2.3 GHz. I did have to invest in some more RAM, as well, but I figure I can maybe keep this puppy running as it is until the new socket Ms arrive. (BF2 ruled out my using my Geforce4 any longer.)

So, I guess there's no clear cut answer to your question, it will depend on how much you can afford to spend now and when you are thinking of upgrading again.

Space

 

[anandtechrocks]

Everyone is saying new system, but I think you would be fine with just a new video card. You will definately see a performance increase with the 6800 GT, it will just be limited by your CPU. As far as the CPU goes, you have a very nice OC and at 2 GHz I think a XP 3200+ would be a waste. Go for the 6800, if you are too CPU limited I'd recommend a NF3 (cause of AGP) board with an A64 3000+.

 

[Rage187]

yes you will be held back.

my recommendation is also for a s939 mobo/proc.

 

[Dreamcat]

Thanks for your input everyone.

If I bought a new CPU, I would just do a new mobo too, so I could get an AMD64.

I know my current system will run a 6800GT, but not at it's top performance, and I don't think the graphics are going to look better enough to make it worth buying another AGP card, since the 9600pro is still giving me a pretty good picture. So, I guess a new partial system upgrade is what you've talked me in to.
Buying a new mobo and CPU is doable if I save up for a month or two, but I am afraid that the RAM I am using not getting up to 200FSB, and I don't want to have to buy new RAM too. You think it could be my current CPU lmiting the FSB? Most 1400+'s were getting to 200 or more when OC'ing.
I've never had my RAM in another system, so I am not sure if it will get there or not.

 

[Rage187]

yes your the upgrade from 1400xp to an A64 system will be a HUGE improvement. The 9600 should last for a few more months till you get enough for a video upgrade.

Your ram will work great in the next board at 400.

 

[Dreamcat]

Just realized I put 1400+ for my CPU, but it is a 1700+. I was thinking 1470mhz, which is it's default clock speed. duh
Not that that changes much, but it better explains why my OC got me to 2ghz. lol

So, would I be good to go by using this deal?
http://www.evga.com/articles/public.asp?AID=258
And then getting a Venice core at 2.2ghz?

And, how far away is it before the next AMD socket comes out? I think I saw someone mention "socket m's".

 

[Rage187]

that deal is awesome.

Unsure of the next socket upgrade.

 

[Kogan]

Take it from someone who has been through a similar upgrade path.. Get the video card first. If the main thing you do with your system is play games, you will hardly notice a difference if all you upgrade is the CPU/Motherboard.

I've actually got AMDXP 1.5ghz systems today with new video cards (geforce 6 ) that have absolutely no problems running any game. I previously had an amdxp 2200mhz system and actually regret going through all of the trouble to upgrade to an AMD64 2700ghz system - I've had hardly no increases in speed in games (0%-10%) with my 6800NU video card at 1280x1024 and higher resolutions.

I'd stick with your current system and upgrade the video card. The extra hassle and $220 or so you'll spend on a new processor and motherboard will not be worth it if you're mainly a gamer - it may be another story if you do cpu-intensive stuff though (games are definetly not cpu intensive at high resolution).

BF2 and EQ2 will look beautiful on a 6800gt and a 2ghz amd xp system. You will be able to run them at 1280x1024 or 1600x1200 with max quality settings.

And keep in mind if you have a no-name 450w power supply, you may need to upgrade it to power your new video card.

Edit: But of course, if you want to switch to PCI-E, you have no choice but to upgrade everything Here's exactly what I did:

Bought a 6800nu at a deal for $150 and put it in my amd xp system. (if you're into overclocking and unlocking, these can nearly reach 6800gt speeds)
Bought a refurb epox nforce3 939 motherboard for $66
Bought a venice 3000+ and overclocked it to 2.7ghz for $115

But of course, I'm extremely limited on cash (cheap) and stay away from buying the latest and greatest since the prices drop extremely fast on the newest computer equipment.

 

[Dreamcat]

Okay, so you're swinging me back towards a 6800GT for my current system.
( and so is the cost to get a new system, lol )

I like to buy vid cards for a good 2 to 3 year lifespan.
This 9600pro has given me two years, and could give about one more, but I have the upgrade my graphics itch.
With my current sytem, will a 6800GT get me through 2 years of using medium/high settings, or will my mobo and CPU make an upgrade necessary before 2 years is up.
I know that can't be answered with certainty, but what do you think?

I'll get just a new vid card if the rest of my system will last me long enough, but if not, I'll just wait to save up for a mobo and CPU, at which point I'd probably save up for a 7800GT, since I would be switching from AGP to PCIe.

 

[Dreamcat]

Anybody?
6800GT gonna get me through two years with my current system?

 

[Xephian]

Yes, it would hold you back a lot.

 

[Dreamcat]

Okay, if I buy an AGP vid card for my current system instead of upgradin my mobo and CPU, I have narrowed it down to these two cards:

Albatron Geforce 6800GT 256MB w/TV-Out ($274 Shipped)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814170057

or

MSI RX800XT Platinum Edition - w/TV-Out & Video-In ($249 Shipped)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321907

To be honest, I would go for the 6800GT if it had Video In, because of it having shader 3.0....but the 800XT PE has Video In, but no Shader 3.0.
I want the card to be good for at least two years, so I am wondering if lacking Shader 3.0 will hurt trying to keep the 800xt for two years or more.
Also, anyone with the ATI card, how is te quality of the Video In, as far as editing home video for DVD?

 

[coomar]

you cpu is at 2ghz? just get the 6800gt, your going to have a cpu bottleneck but you'll fine, if you have the money the 939 cpu/board is the way to go but most bang for buck would be buying a new cpu

you could also pick up an xp-m for 50-60 bucks in the fs/ft forum, on a nf2 board you should be able to hit 2.5-2.7

cpu bottleneck

i'm guessing a 1.4 ghz amd64 is roughly equivalent to a 2.0-2.4 k7 in gaming, while there is a significant boost from increasing clockspeeds, it still is very playable at 1.4

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: coomar
you cpu is at 2ghz? just get the 6800gt, your going to have a cpu bottleneck but you'll fine, if you have the money the 939 cpu/board is the way to go but most bang for buck would be buying a new cpu

you could also pick up an xp-m for 50-60 bucks in the fs/ft forum, on a nf2 board you should be able to hit 2.5-2.7

cpu bottleneck

i'm guessing a 1.4 ghz amd64 is roughly equivalent to a 2.0-2.4 k7 in gaming, while there is a significant boost from increasing clockspeeds, it still is very playable at 1.4

Not quite. Its closer to a 1.8 A64 = 2.2 AXP give or take 100mhz from either side depending on the benchmark.

But to comment on the question at the beginning of this forum, Id agree with upgrading ur entire system to pci-e before buying a video card. With your system, you would be fine until the Unreal 3 engine comes out. Those engines tend to spawn many games and be quite processor intensive. But as far as right now with that system and the new video card you would be proc bound in some situs depending on which game ur running.

Either stick it out with what you have, or fork over the money for an oced a64 system @ 2.2ghz+ and a new video card to match (6800gt/x800xl). Reason?: by the time u need that extra cpu power you will most likely need something better then a 6600gt as well.

 

[bonhimself]

i would stick to getting the video card, wait for a while to upgrade cpu and mb

 

[Dreamcat]

Just thought I would give an update for those who are in a similar situation as me.
I decided on getting a video card instead of upgrading my whole system.
I went with an Albatron 6800GT from Newegg. (which auto detects at 421/1140) w00t!

My 3dMark05 score is 5580...up from 1240 with my 9600pro.
And my frames per second are up in the 60 to 150fps area in BF2, HL2, Doom3, Planetside, etc. This is with all settings maxed out at 1024x768 on a 19" CRT.
The F.E.A.R. demo and EQ2...well, these beasts play at about 25fps at max settings.

So based on my experience, if you have a 2ghz AMD XP or higher and 1gb or more RAM, you could probably upgrade to a 6800GT/X800XT and be good to go for a couple years before doing the whole system upgrade.