cheap upgrades

[WNx Makka99]

hi guys, i have currently got $230 of christmas money and im wondering if u guys could suggest some cheap and easy to install upgrades for my computer that would make bf2 run nicely. here r my specs:

-pentium4 @ 3.2ghz

-1gig of DDR RAM

-160gb serial ATA @ 7200rpm

-MS keyboard and g7 cordless mouse

-NvIdia 6800gs

19" flatron monitor


and help appreciated, thanks

[John Edmo]

Re: cheap upgrades

Get another 1GB of ram.

[cloakster]

Re: cheap upgrades

Yep, another 1gb will really help.

[Minicoop503]

Re: cheap upgrades

how about his graphics card? I havent heard much about a 6800gs

[WNx Makka99]

Re: cheap upgrades

yea my 6800gs isnt the best on the market but it does me fine. and i think i will get another gig of ram. can any1 give me some info on whats the best and how many aussie dollars it will cost?

[cloakster]

Re: cheap upgrades

The 6800GS is just a little worse than the 7600GT. I would get Definitely spend the money to get an extra 1gb of RAM. How much would you have left after upgrading the RAM?

[megawhompertoo]

Re: cheap upgrades

6800gs is a great card. consider getting an aftermarket cooler and overclocking it. as far as components, you're in kind of a tough spot. if you're planning on upgrading again any time soon (i.e., core 2 duo), that shiny new ddr probably isn't going to do you any good then (unless you go with some of the more exotic mobo solutions), but it will make loading times faster and reduce some stuttering in-game right now.

I had a little under 300 USD recently, and I bought a new case, a new 650W psu (need alot of power to run a modern gpu, and i decided not to scrimp), and 2 hard drives that I'm going to run in an array--all quality stuff with 3-5 year warranties, that I can re-use again in the next 6-12 months when I finally ditch the agp/ddr/socket478 p4 and go pci-e/ddr2/core2duo. 'course, i'm not saying you should do anything of the sort, just giving you an idea of how to get creative with what you've got, for now and the near-future.

so, 1 gig will help now, as long as you're sure you aren't going to be wishing you could reuse those 2gb into your next build!

on the other hand, you could get a motherboard compatible with your current cpu/gpu, and throw a gig of ddr2 into it, and still have money left over an aftermarket cooler to slap on that 6800gs. something like an ecs p4m800pro m478 (if you've got a socket 478, the other revision if you've got a socket LGA775).

different things to think about--just take some time, read some reviews, and get some opinions like you're doing here so that you're still happy with your purchase--for at least two weeks after you drop the cash.

[Munk_Madness]

Re: cheap upgrades

i have the 6800gs and its great, more ram and you will be set

[WNx Makka99]

Re: cheap upgrades

ok thansk guys u have been really helpful