Upgrading 4 Vista/Games

i_dragonx_i · 22 Jul 2006 at 07:43

Hi,

I built a system here a couple... maybe three years ago. It´s still running great, as good as I could ask for from it´s age tbh! But since Moore´s law keeps on going, it seems I´m in for an upgrade (it´s my only PC, although I´m looking at getting a laptop also).
Anyway, the specs are:
Athlon XP 3200+, 2x L1915S, 1GB RAM GeIL Value 3200, ATI 9800 Pro 128MB, 2x 36GB Raptor in RAID 0 and an Audigy 2 Platinum EX
I got the stuff shortly before AMD 64bit, PCI Express, etc came out, so it didn´t cost me too much. I´m looking for an upgrade that´ll put my in the Conroe (unless some1 can convince me there´s a better option these days?) PCI-Express and super high FSB world. And well... on a budget, but what´s more important than keeping every penny is being able to upgrade the system bit by bit as the year (and next) goes on. Xmas will hopefully see a nice graphic card, I´m sure you know what I mean...
I was thinking about keeping the hard drives, maybe getting an additional SATA drive for more storage. Keeping the sound card, can´t see a new one making a noticable difference. I doubt anything else can be recycled in a new system.
Appreciate all suggestions and advice!

AJKA

Fods · 22 Jul 2006 at 08:18

if you want it complete vista compatible then wait for DirectX 10 Gcards, by the time they come (rumoured - end of the year/ early next year?) PCI-E/Processor would have dropped.

FreeStream · 22 Jul 2006 at 08:19

Whats your PSU?

Also year by year upgradibility :/

I think AM2 is the one thats going to last longer out of Conroe/AM2.

I'd go for Conroe atm. 2Gb Ram. X1950 is out soon (2 months - still 6 months till a DX-10 gfx card and i've heard they run hot and use a lot of power - but this is rumor).

Going to need a PCI-E express capable PSU IIRC.

CR.

i_dragonx_i · 22 Jul 2006 at 09:34

PSU is a 500W standard oldie. What I´ve read on AM2 sounds like a major disapointment. Core2Duo appear to outperform them on almost all tasks.
What´s all this I´ve been seeing about Windos Vista Ready? Is there a difference between these and DirectX 10 ready cards?
Will these need a different mobo/memory/PSU setup than current PCI Express?

shimy182 · 22 Jul 2006 at 11:19

another story but..

i heard vista's going to come with crysis :confused:

Psypher5 · 22 Jul 2006 at 11:32

and also looks just as good on direct x 9

LoadsaMoney · 22 Jul 2006 at 12:18

Vista works on DX9, all you will not be able to use is DX10, and Vista's DX10 features, so some companies put on their gfx cards Vista ready, its just to get you to buy them, and they get more sales as probably lots of ppl won't relalise that for DX10, and the DX10 features of Vista you will need a new DX10 card, so they won't know all they are able to run is a cut down version.

Yeah i heard Crysis is rumoured to be coming with Vista, and as i said in another thread, thats just to get lots of ppl to lash out on Vista, and a DX10 card to play it, i bet theres lots of ppl gona fall into that trap, 'Ive just spend £650+ on Vista, Crysis, and a new DX10 card, and now ive found out Crysis would have ran on my old XP with my old DX9 card, so ive lashed out £600+ on that ******* Vista, and a DX10 card for bugger all, not happy' :mad:

I can see that happeneing, but its a very good way of boosting sales of Vista and DX10 cards, and a sneaky one.

TheBigCheese · 22 Jul 2006 at 13:22

That might be OK for me if you can buy them together cheaper than individually.

I've put off upgrading my Geforce 6800GT and am waiting for DX10 cards to become available, I don't see the point in forking out for a DX9 card anymore.

I'll just have to suffer the sound of the 6800GT weeping quietly everytime I load up Oblivion.

i_dragonx_i · 28 Jul 2006 at 09:27

Well that´s very very good to know

I´m still looking at getting a Dell laptop with all the bells and whistles for about $1800. Radeon x1400, 2GB RAM, CoreDuo 2400, 80GB, 15.4" and a ton of accessories, GPS, backpack, extended battery, 4year warranty, external 320GB HD, Swiss Gear backpack... That´s my main purchase this time around.
I´d also "like" to upgrade my PC a bit to keep up with media, games etc. I use it as TV, internet, word processing, photo/movie editing, gaming, etc. Is there an economic solution to put a new processor and GPU in it? Please spec. me up

M!!cook · 28 Jul 2006 at 15:03

ok! well not read ALL of this post but i have the latest MSDN Vista Ultimate on DX9 and wowah its sweet, no bugs (to what i can see) and is super quick ONCE ITS FINALLY GOT GOIN, take its time to log in and load the demanding desktop. not really had a play with it yet. Screenies anyone?