Is my machine still good?

S

Shadowprice

2[H]4U
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
2,084
Well.. i've been out of the tech world for awhile after last year.. I purchased a custom system that consisted of an AMD FX-57, 2 gigs of ram, 2x 10k RPM raptor drives, and a Nvidia 7800 GTX. From a year ago, this was pretty much top of the line, could any possibly update me on whats now these days as far as processors, ram, and video cards go? Am I already that horribly outdated within just a year?
 
Well judging by your system you like to buy the bleeding edge, so yes you're quite out of date now.
I suggest you browse the forums to see what hardware is causing the buzz, but here's something to get you started:

CPU - It's pretty much agreed that Intel has the performance crown (for now) with their Core 2 Duo aka "Conroe" which is dual core. However Intel just released a quad core CPU.

RAM - DDR2 is standard now, PC2-5300 to PC2-6400 and above

Video - Nvidia just released their 8800 series of cards, 8800GTS and 8800GTX with the latter being the faster of the two. These are faster than anything ATI has, but ATI is releasing a new card next year that may be worth waiting for.

 
Xan433 said:
Well.. i've been out of the tech world for awhile after last year.. I purchased a custom system that consisted of an AMD FX-57, 2 gigs of ram, 2x 10k RPM raptor drives, and a Nvidia 7800 GTX. From a year ago, this was pretty much top of the line, could any possibly update me on whats now these days as far as processors, ram, and video cards go? Am I already that horribly outdated within just a year?
Click to expand...

A few questions:
1. Does it still perform adequately for your needs?
2. Will an upgrade speed up your apps and if so will the additional productivity be worth the cost?
3. Do you just want to have the biggest and best "just because"?

If you have the money for the "latest and greatest" then upgrade by all means. Otherwise, just grab a high end AMD X2 socket 939 cpu, oc it a bit and save your money until the next product cycle hits the market. Your FX-57 is more than adequate for most users, but if you are a "power user" it is getting to be a little "long in the tooth" so to speak.
 
if you want to be up to date with socket 939 and videocards... you "need" FX-60 (dualcore) and a 8800gtx or gts... $699 and $499 generally....

your ram and drives are fine... if you want to be "top of the line" you "need"

core2quad... 4 CPUs in one....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115011

the evga 680i mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009

2 8800gtx's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130072

and some DDR2 800 or 1000 ram
 
You could ebay your FX-57, drop in an X2, pick up a second 7800GTX on the cheap and be perfectly up to date for $300, tops.
 
your setup is still a fine setup that many would like to have.

Gaming should still be decent since until core duo came out, the fx57 was still the best single core cpu for gaming.

edit: I like the idea above too if you're dead set on spending cash to update.
 
Yes, it's horribly out of date. How can you use something so ancient. Um... I'll give you $100 for it.

Like someone said earlier, unless your a power user and you have to own the latest, newest, best-est stuff.... your setup is still way ahead of most people.

"Good" is really a relative term anyway.
 
Xan433 said:
Well.. i've been out of the tech world for awhile after last year.. I purchased a custom system that consisted of an AMD FX-57, 2 gigs of ram, 2x 10k RPM raptor drives, and a Nvidia 7800 GTX. From a year ago, this was pretty much top of the line, could any possibly update me on whats now these days as far as processors, ram, and video cards go? Am I already that horribly outdated within just a year?
Click to expand...
The only thing that is going to hold you back is not having a dual core, and your 7800.
But your computer at the moment is still going to be able to run any game on the market right now and up until DX10 comes out.

So if you planing to upgrade wait until the DX10 hardware all comes out.
 
Really, there's nothing that your current setup can't handle with decent eye candy. Just sit back, enjoy your hardware, and be happy knowing that you'll be fine for a good while.
 
What resolution are you gaming at? If your gaming at 1680x1050 or lower, then theres no point on upgrading. Unless you like throwing money away..
 
For buying that a year ago, it is still pretty good. My system is newer than yours and the only place I have you is in processing power. You have a better graphics card, more RAM and a potentially better processor but its not overclocked as far as I know.

If your a bleeding edge guy, then yes, your system is not "top of the line" anymore, but its still not terrible. The only thing you could really do to improve it would be to go to 2x 8800GTX cards, AMD FX-60 series chip. 2GB of RAM is still pretty much the max recommended by most people since 4GB in 2 slots is still hard to do if not impossible.
 
Xan433 said:
Well.. i've been out of the tech world for awhile after last year.. I purchased a custom system that consisted of an AMD FX-57, 2 gigs of ram, 2x 10k RPM raptor drives, and a Nvidia 7800 GTX. From a year ago, this was pretty much top of the line, could any possibly update me on whats now these days as far as processors, ram, and video cards go? Am I already that horribly outdated within just a year?
Click to expand...



You have almost the exact setup I had except I had 2 7800 GTX and an FX-55.
I upgraded to the FX-60 and 2 7950GX2s and boy do I regret it!
Same performance and hardly noticeable difference in graphics, yes, you get better benchmarks, and you get the bragging factor for about ... a month...but new shit comes out, and you will just get pissed!
IMO there is something most def worth waiting for, DirectX10! Then u can get the new quad core intels, or just upgrade to an AM2 (which is what I'll do) but then at least you will have a good excuse for the upgrade. I'd say even wait a few months with DX10 out and then choose all the new stuff carefully and thoughtfully!
Good luck in whtvr u decide :)
 
With the exception of the processor, I think you're fine. It all depends on what you play and what settings. IMHO, if you like multitasking, try to get a s939 X2 CPU before it gets too rare to find.

Other than that, wait a bit. AMD's 65nm is coming, Vista nearby, Intel's quad-core might be out soon, nVida's 8-series already out with ATI's answer not too far away, I would wait a little longer to see what happens. Your video card has another good 6+ months of life left at least. This is one of those times of "wait and see."
 
Umi.Ryuuzaki said:
With the exception of the processor, I think you're fine. It all depends on what you play and what settings. IMHO, if you like multitasking, try to get a s939 X2 CPU before it gets too rare to find.

Other than that, wait a bit. AMD's 65nm is coming, Vista nearby, Intel's quad-core might be out soon, nVida's 8-series already out with ATI's answer not too far away, I would wait a little longer to see what happens. Your video card has another good 6+ months of life left at least. This is one of those times of "wait and see."
Click to expand...


It's already out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115011
$1499.00 tho:(
 
My system is in my sig and it meets all my needs at this time. You have a better system than me. As stated above, unless you are a power user your system is just fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top