Need some upgrade advice

IcemanIX · **--?-?-?--** Ultra nForced

What else, eh?

I've fallen behind on cpu hardware and my PC has fallen behind as well. I'm running the same AMD 64 3000+ (1.8GHz) OC'd to 2.2. 6800 GT, 1.5 Gigs of DDR Ram. She's doing good but there's a couple issues which are coming to a head. I can't really upgrade the CPU to much effect. Could maybe get half a gig more memory but that wouldn't do much and I'd just change it out later. I don't want to shell out the cash for a whole new system but I couldn't use my AGP 6800 GT on any Core2 mobo, could I? Dang.

1) The CPU wasn't a beast 3 years ago and it's a generation and a half behind. Only thing I could upgrade w/o this bottlenecking the system would be RAM. Thinking of going for an Intel 2 Duo.

2) I couldn't use the current RAM in a new mobo, could I? Doubtful. If not, I'd just pick up a couple Gigs of DD2. Seems really cheap these days.

3) Would need a new Mobo, of course. Was thinking of Gigabyte LGA 775

4) PSU (Antec TruePower 430) is showing its age and a new system wouldn't be good for it.

5) Last but not least I'd need to get a PCI-E graphics card. Perhaps a 9600GT or a 8800GT

I'm trying to not spend too much. Looks like I only have about $500 dropped down, which I guess i could shill out. My intention was to upgrade piecemeal but with just a little research I've found that's probably not possible. So now it's down to good-ol value-buying. Any recommendations? Is there a weakspot in this new rig?

Perhaps I could find a solid upgrade in my current rig and limp into the new year. Monitor, box, etc. is all good. Might need a new HDD. I also don't want to throw something together and not have it be little better than my current system. I can wait but cash is a limiting factor.

Hidey ho to all you old timers. IcemanIX

impar · **PC Gamer** Moderator

Greetings!

Glad to see you alive! Very Happy

Your choices seem good: P35 Motherboard, Core2Duo, 2GB RAM.

Get at least a 500W PSU. For HD, the WD640GB looks the best choice right now.

About video cards, next month ATi will be launching some new cards with appealing prices. And nVidia an overhauled G92 chip.
Should make the mid-end market interesting to follow.

powerarmour · **--[papameister]--** Mod Squad

^ Basically what he said...

Good to see you around again Iceman... Wink

IcemanIX · **--?-?-?--** Ultra nForced

I see the mobo has 1 PCI-E 16x slot and other PCI-E 1x slots. Does that make it SLI capable? Or would I need a motherboard with two PCI-E 16x slots? I figure that'll be a cost effective upgrade I can do down the road

impar · **PC Gamer** Moderator

Greetings!

nVidia hasnt licensed SLI to other chipset manufacturers, so you ned a nVidia chipset to be able to use SLI.

And yes, two PCI 16x is recommended.

ATI did licensed Crossfire to Intel, though.

powerarmour · **--[papameister]--** Mod Squad

mini · nForce Padawan

Has going SLI ever been cost effective? considering the lack of performance of the 2nd card, the extra power requirements and heat generated?

powerarmour · **--[papameister]--** Mod Squad

daglesj · nForced²

Folks tend to keep forgetting that the primary consideration in a graphics card purchase these days is what size monitor/resolution are you going to be gaming at?

If its 1900+ than maybe the SLI/top of the range card setup is worth looking at. I would still favour a single card though. Spend the money saved elsewhere.

If its 1280 then a lower/mid card will do.

If its 1680 then a mid/high mid range card will suffice.

IcemanIX · **--?-?-?--** Ultra nForced

Yea I nixed the SLI idea. That was just for longterm sustainability. Perhaps limp halfway through the next generation without having to upgrade the whole dealy again.

Gonna shoot for the 8800 or the 9600 I think.