2.4c - upgrade path?

[TroyTalksNoMore]

Hi guys! Here's my situation... (PC specs are below).

I have an AGP slot PC (X800 GTO 256) & my only path looks like the CPU.
I have $100-150 to spend on a new CPU or some much wanted software.

I THINK I WANT to buy the faster CPU because - I play a lot of games!
Of course, I jack w/ settings for the best looking game experience I can get.

===========================
So – I need to know THREE things...
===========================

1) - Would I notice a CPU upgrade of 500-800mhz?

2) - Am I "CPU bound" in the games that I play? Is that why I stutter?
- - I want to run w/ all the AA and AF I can!
- - I use my 32" LCD widescreen @ 1360x768 (60mhz refresh) the most

3) - How do you ID a Northwood CPU? I might buy one USED or an EE.
- Is the MFG number a tell tale item - and what do I NEED to know about it?
- Is this all I need to tell if a CPU is a Northwood?
o FSB: 800 MHz
o Cache: 512 KB
o Process: 0.13 micron
o Socket: 478 pin PPGA

THANKS A MILLION
- Troy

================================
MY - Shuttle RefleXion Anniversary Edition:
================================
http://global.shuttle.com/Product/barebone/brb_OverView.asp?B_id=27
Intel 865G MB (supports 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.4, 3.0EE @ 200mhz)

Intel P4 - 2.4c @ 2.65 ghz (ICE heat pipe - passive cooling)
- WANTED - 3.0c - or better - please write to me - talk2troy@yahoo.com

1gb Corsair TwinX RAM
160gb WD SATA HD w/ 8mb cache
Radeon X800 GTO @ 400 core / 490 memory
21" Princeton Graphics CRT
32" Westingtinghouse LCD TV @ 1360x768 (720P) – 60mhz Refresh

================================

My son and I are currently playing THESE GAMES:
- FEAR – still stutters at MEDIUM default settings across the board
- GUN – stutters like mad in battle & on horse in canyons @ 800x600 - no effects
- Chronicles of Riddick – looks great - mild stutters w/ good visual settings
- Quake 4 – looks great - mild stutters w/ good visual settings (same as above, duh!)
- SWAT 4 - looks really good , but has mild stutters w/ good visual settings
- COD2 - - looks really good , but has mild stutters w/ good visual settings

- MotoGP 3, Flatout, Xpand Rally – all look great with minor stutters
- GTR, GT Legends, TOCA 3 – all look great – but I want MORE eye candy
- - GTR2 and Flatout 2 - coming after X-mas.

 

[jordan172005]

Looks like the processor could be limiting you. I myself have a 2200+ athlon XP and a 5900xt and my processor limits me.... If I overlcock just 90mhz I get an extra 500 points in 3dmark01. I am curently upgrading to a 2.93 celly d and plan on ocing the hell out of it. You could put a fan on that passive heatsink and oc it more and that would help until you get a new processor.

 

[Marvelous]

You're going to see some difference from 500-800mhz but not enough to justify the cost... It's a p4 architecture after all on a old motherboard...

I would get rid of the AGP system all together... Sell your bare system and get a cheap PCI express system... You can get a decent performing athlon for less than $100 and a cheap nforce board for $60... keep the ram and buy a 850xt or something faster and you won't have any problems...

I see you're on a shuttle system.. Upgrade path is limited... Get a better video card and overclock the p4 2.4c... I had my old system @ 3.2 ghz... you shouldn't have any trouble hitting that speed long as you get a decent heatsink.

 

[TroyTalksNoMore]

Thanks for the replies. I added a fan to the box & vid card long ago.
I cut out the "perfs" on the back of the box to make a nice big hole too.

I am NOT getting rid of my box anytime soon. It works great.
I just want a little less stutter in my favorite games...

There is a "flow" of PC's in my house... there are three gamers here...
My parts get "handed down" to my oldest son and his parts go to his little brother.

So for now... I am probably just going to get a 3.4c CPU.

*New Questions:

1) - Do you know anybody selling a 3.4c - CHEAP?

2) - How do you ID a Northwood CPU?
- Is it in the Product ID number & what do I NEED to know about THAT?

3) - Is THIS all I need - to know - to tell - if a CPU is a Northwood?
- I thought this could also be a Prescott? Please enlighten me!
o FSB: 800 MHz
o Cache: 512 KB
o Process: 0.13 micron
o Socket: 478 pin PPGA

Thanks again!
Troy

 

[NulloModo]

I have the same CPU you do (Northwood 2.4C), but with a slower video card (ATI 9500pro). I don't do games at all on my PC (that's what the PS2 is for), but I have been noticing it getting a little slugglish lately with general use.

If games that used to run fine are now running slower on your system, you may need a simple hard drive defrag, or a backup of all of your documents/movies/music/data and a clean reinstall of windows and apps, then just put your media and documents back in.

Honestly, even with a jump from a 2.4 to a 3.4 keeping the same video card (which was a great card in its day, but falling faster and faster behind now) you aren't going to be able to play the newest releases at any kind of decent resolution, but you may be able to squeak by if you turn it down to 800x600 or less and turn off AA.

My recommendation would be to save the money would spend on a processor upgrade and start planning on a new system. With Vista and DX10 about to launch in the coming months there is going to be a huge overhaul of a lot of people's systems. This means two things 1.) you could go all out and get a top of the line new system, or 2.) a lot of people who have systems a lot more recent and more capable than yours are going to be selling them off to get the best of the best, and prices on used parts are going to plummet, so you could upgrade a lot more for your money.

Myself, I am holding off on the upgrade for now as moving expenses are hitting me a bit harder than I expected (who knew it cost that much to rent a truck to drive your stuff 800 or so miles), but once I get all that settled I am going to get one of those sweet 24" Core 2 Duo iMacs.

 

[Skyviper]

I went from a...

P4C 2.4 Ghz @ 3.3 Ghz
1 GB RAM
Radeon X850XT

to my current system in signature. Windows loads stupidly fast and I'm able to run pretty much any game except for Oblivion at max settings (I usually play at 1600x1200 without AA). You can try upgrading your video card first and then the CPU to remove the bottlenecks, but you might as well save up for a C2D system instead.

 

[wee96]

I am NOT getting rid of my box anytime soon. It works great.
I just want a little less stutter in my favorite games...

You'll need to fully upgrade for that to happen, but it sounds like your in denial.

 

[Johnny Mo]

You'll need to fully upgrade for that to happen, but it sounds like your in denial.

I'm in agreement here.

I held off upgrading the Prescott for a while.

Now, no stuttering.


Johnny Mo

As Tom Leykus says "DTB"