Limiting factor in this old rig? (PCI graphics)

Jimbo Mahoney · 12 Aug 2008 at 11:24

I'm just trying to squeeze a few more fps out of a shuttle and wondering if it's the CPU or graphics card holding it back. There's nothing I can do about the graphics, but I could pick up a 3.2Ghz P4 for about £30.

It's currently a P4 2.4 with Geforce 6200 PCI.

Scores ~ 5500 in 3DMark 2001.

Am I likely to see improvements with a 3.2 Ghz P4 in there? (Overclocking isn't an option on this Shuttle).

I've tried using the ORB to compare, but I can't separate AGP / PCI-E 6200s from PCI ones.

rjk · 12 Aug 2008 at 11:30

depends what psu you are running
a new gpu wouldnt go a miss
but you would be limited in cpu intensive games with a single core

and then obviously you would have to cool it well as they get very toasty

matt_fsr · 12 Aug 2008 at 12:10

From my knowledge of the PCI bus, I suspect thats whats holding you back - wasnt even aware that there was a PCI version of the 6200 card, but it looks like the motherboard/PCI slot is the main limiter.

Can you replace the board for an equivalent with an AGP slot?

Dogoid · 12 Aug 2008 at 12:22

the bottleneck is the gpu, so upgrading the cpu wont give you a hell of a lot .

what memory? ddr? or sd? ..

i would not upgrade this machine at all, i would put any new monies into a new computer. bit by bit eventually a new system will be the better option, and use this existing p.c as a secondry 'kids' work horse.