Which to upgrade first?

[leebo]

I have:
amd athlon 2400 @ 2.1GHz
ati radeon 9800 pro 128
1 GB micron pc3200 RAM
80GB 7200 rpm Seagate HD
sb live 5.1
5.1 speakers

I currently run at:
800x600 no aa/af
everything high except dynamic lights off and shadows low
software sound at medium quality

With these settings I can get consistently smooth framerates and decent graphics aside from a few stray jaggies which I have gotten used to for the most part. I am wondering which component would most benefit from an upgrade and give me the most improved performance,

[Shamus]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

The best performance boost for you will come in the form of an AMD socket 939 motherboard and CPU.

[Eddy01741]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

Nah, the CPU's good enough, it won't bottleneck more than like 2 fps. If your hard drive is jam packed then you might need a new one. Other than that, you need a new AGp vid card, like a 6600GT AGP.

[Shamus]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

My 9700 Pro averages 80 FPS only because I have a decent CPU and motherboard. The performance ratio between the vid cards you mentiond are far less than the performance difference generated by an AMD 64 based system.

[signa]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

80 fps on a 9700?!? at what res and settings?

[Eddy01741]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

My 9700 Pro averages 80 FPS only because I have a decent CPU and motherboard. The performance ratio between the vid cards you mentiond are far less than the performance difference generated by an AMD 64 based system.

No, seriously between a FX-57 and his processor, at max difference would be about 10 fps, CPU's don't matter too much for games, GPUs do though.

[Shamus]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

80 fps on a 9700?!? at what res and settings?

My game settings:

1152x864@85MHz
Geometry High; Sound High; AA, Dynamic Shadows and Dynamic Lights off; All else is on medium.

FRAPS LOG
2005-06-30 20:08:36 -
Frames: 4234 - Time: 51866ms - Avg: 81.633 - Min: 61 - Max: 97

2005-07-01 21:43:57 -
Frames: 4341 - Time: 54341ms - Avg: 79.884 - Min: 63 - Max: 92

This is running on an AGP based system:
ATI 9700 Pro (OC @411/333)
AMD 3500+ (OC @2.5Ghz)
ASUS A8V Deluxe Rev. 2
1024MB of Corsair PC3200XL (2-2-2-5)
Audigy 2 ZS

[Shamus]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

No, seriously between a FX-57 and his processor, at max difference would be about 10 fps, CPU's don't matter too much for games, GPUs do though.

I understand that there is a great deal of misinformation out there but my results speak for themselves. I am confident of my statement and stand by it. To google CPU to GPU performance ratios or CPU gaming dependency should reveal some results for anyone to study should they wish.

[leebo]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

Oh by the way, my hard drive is 120GB ATA100. Not 80 GB. Thanks for your opinions, even though they seem to be completely oppoosite. lol. Its an athlon XP if you didnt guess that. If I were to upgrade my mobo, could I my current RAM? It is dual channel pc3200, and with my 200mhz FSB clock its not really running at its full capacity.

Thanks

[Shamus]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

Your RAM would not only run at full capacity but it would be able to stretch its legs because of the on-chip, dual channel memory controller within the AMD 64 S939 platform.

Additionally, your entire PC would benefit from the upgrade and not just your gaming performance.

Eddy01741 is correct that BF2 really loves a powerful video card but you asked about getting the best bang for the buck.

[gsxr310]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

Oh by the way, my hard drive is 120GB ATA100. Not 80 GB. Thanks for your opinions, even though they seem to be completely oppoosite. lol. Its an athlon XP if you didnt guess that. If I were to upgrade my mobo, could I my current RAM? It is dual channel pc3200, and with my 200mhz FSB clock its not really running at its full capacity.

Thanks

Yah definately upgrade your mobo. Possibly get an PCIx mobo and a videocard! What's your budget by the way?

[imported_idash]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

I would go with 1 gb ram, that my opinion. The motherboard you need to look at, coming out soon, is the ATI Crossfire motherboard for dual cards coming end of year any upgrade of another MB is wasting money!

[gsxr310]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

I would go with 1 gb ram, that my opinion. The motherboard you need to look at, coming out soon, is the ATI Crossfire motherboard for dual cards coming end of year any upgrade of another MB is wasting money!

ATi crossfire should also give Nvidia good competition. Just hold off and save some money!

[imported_TheDragon]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

My 9700 Pro averages 80 FPS only because I have a decent CPU and motherboard. The performance ratio between the vid cards you mentiond are far less than the performance difference generated by an AMD 64 based system.

this is not possible - 80 fps
are you sure you are measuring your fps, not your CPU usage?
I have the 9800 pro = all settings low or off
and get 45 fps when lucky
rest of system is just fine

[imported_TheDragon]

Re: Which to upgrade first?

better noticable differnence???
better graphics card !!!!
I have 9800 pro on one sytem and x800xl on the other
like NITE and DAY