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Video card upgrade question

  • 16-09-2005 9:28am
    #1
    pontovic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 658 ✭✭✭


    Hi

    Im thinking I may need to upgrade my PC, but I have a few questions. First, Ill tell you what I have in my machine currently. I want a machine that is decent for gaming. Good graphics is my main concern. Here is what I have

    Athlon XP 2800 +
    1024mb DDR 3200 ram ( 1 x 512mb and 2 256mb )
    Geforce 5200 128mb ddr agp 8x video card
    Abit NF7-s 2.0 motherboard
    Case with a 350 Watt power supply
    Hard drives and DVD writerm details on those arent important.

    If I was to put an AGP geforce 6600gt in that machine, would there be a massive bottleneck due to the CPU and memory ? Should I plump for a new motherboard and CPU and then get the card with them ? I have pc3200 DDR memory. If I decide to get a new motherboard and CPU, can I transfer over my memory too or do I need to get new memory modules ? Thanks for any help :)


Comments

  • #2
    brav
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 895 ✭✭✭brav


    The memory should work grand.

    TBH I don't think the cpu/mem will be a bottle neck for a 6600gt, but if you have the money a CPU upgrade would be nice! However juust going for the card will give you huge improvment in games over a 5200


  • #3
    pontovic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 658 ✭✭✭pontovic


    Sound, is it fair to say then that a new CPU isn't really needed, as its the graphics cards that dictate whether you can play games or not ? Would there be a major jump do you think by upgrading to a mid range athlon 64 processor ?


  • #4
    ambro25
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,986 ✭✭✭ambro25


    pontovic wrote:
    Hard drives and DVD writer, details on those arent important.

    Depending how many HDDs you're running, check your power reqs out of that 350W unit with the new card - is the 6600 one of those 'powered' card (as in - out of the PSU) or still only getting juice through the MoBo?

    As you may end up requiring a bigger PSU, rather than a new CPU (or a bigger PSU as well as, once you've got a new '64 CPU/MoBo).


  • #5
    pontovic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 658 ✭✭✭pontovic


    I have 2 hdd's

    One is a SATA 120gb 7200rpm and the other is a 40gb IDE 7200rpm. There is also an IDE DVDRW drive. I had an ato radeon 9800 pro in before and that requires power from the PSU and it ran ok. I didnt extensively test it though.


  • #6
    popey21
    Closed Accounts Posts: 328 ✭✭popey21


    There a new game coming out that I been waiting on called Elder scrolls Oblivion. It going to have some of the best graphics ever seen in a game so obviously going to have high demands. In there forum the sticky answering peoples questions on system requirements. Could be useful to look at.

    http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=158831

    "* AMD AthlonXP 2500+ or 2600+ (Barton Core, 333MHz FSB)
    * 1024MB (1GB) RAM
    * ATi Radeon 9800pro, AGP with 256MB video RAM

    The above settings would likely run the game at a fairly decent clip, and more importantly, if such machines are in use for development, they obviously run the games with all the settings "turned on."

    So if this next generation game will run on that machine then you should have no problem when you upgrade your vid card playing any future games.


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  • #7
    dRNk SAnTA
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 777 ✭✭✭dRNk SAnTA


    Sorry I don't mean to hi-jack but I have a similar question. I'm about to build myself a new comp but don't have much experience doing this. My plan was to get an SLI mobo but only get 1 6800gt, and when prices come down a bit I'll get a second 6800gt.
    But yesterday i found a pretty good gaming pc on komplett which has two 6600gt's in it. I know 6600gt's are good value, but I want something which will won't become **** after 18 months and i think my 6800gt plan would be more wise. I have a budget but there is leeway. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions? anything would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks.
    David


  • #8
    The Real B-man
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 3,747 Mod ✭✭✭✭The Real B-man


    if you have a agp x4/8 slot mobo & a 350+ watt psu get a 6600GT for under 200 Squid


  • #9
    Father_Ted
    Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Father_Ted


    I was in the same suituation a few weeks back. Was upgrading from an AMD XP rig with a 6800LE AGP card to a new P4 based rig. Was torn between going with a new shiny 7800 card or two 6800GT in SLI. In the end went with two XFX 6800GT in SLI bought from Komplett. Had a look at Komplett and they are no longer selling the XFX 6800GT. Looks like the 6800 based cards are getting harder to come by as the 7800 comes on stream.


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