Computer starting to show its age...

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Sovereign

2[H]4U
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
3,098
CPU: Opteron 170
RAM: 4096MB G.Skill DDR500
GPU: 2x eVGA 7900GTX "Reloaded" SLI
MOBO: A8N32-SLI Deluxe
HDD1: 150GB Raptor 10k RPM
HDD2: 750GB WD Caviar
HDD3: 750GB WD Caviar
AUD: X-Fi XtremeMusic
OPT1: NEC 4551A DVD Burner (flashed 3550A)
OPT2: BenQ DVD Combodrive (52x32x52)
MON: 17" ViewSonic VA721
CASE: Thermaltake Armor Black
PSU: PC Power and Cooling 850SSI

This thing is due for some kind of upgrade come May (my scheduled upgrade time). I know that the GeForce 9 series is coming out soon. Thing is, I'm not sure how much I should upgrade. Given a 1280x1024 resolution, would a 9800GX2 suffice? Would the Opteron bottleneck it so much as to make it worth it to buy a new CPU/mobo/RAM? The more I upgrade, the more I'm tempted for a larger, higher-res monitor to be purchased at a later date.

I'm thinking I have three options within my $1000 upgrade budget
Option 1 - Minimal Upgrade
- Replace the graphics subsystem only, buy dual 9800GTX or if the PSU does not permit that a single 9800GX2 (perhaps a 5.25" PSU is in order?)

Option 2 - Moderate Upgrade
- Replace the graphics subsystem, get SLI 9800GTX
- Replace CPU with an Intel Quad
- Replace mobo with Intel-compatible SLI chipset
- Replace RAM with 2x2GB DDR2-800

Option 3 - F-ck the Budget Upgrade
- Replace the graphic subsystem with Quad-SLI 9800GX2s
- Replace the CPU with an Intel Quad
- Replace mobo with Intel-compatible SLI chipset
- Replace RAM with 4x2GB DDR2-800
- Definitely need a 5.25" bay PSU here

Or something else? Help and advice please! Keep in mind I'm going to SELL whatever parts I replace.
 
1st get yourself a larger monitor. SLI should only be considered if resolution 1920x1200 or higher. from there go with option two :D
 
Bigger monitor plus option 1. If your psu can handle dual 7900gtx's it should have no problem handling a pair of 9800's. Then again option 2 and 3 are not so bad either. Go for what you have the money to buy and what you really want.
 
First, decide what size monitor you're getting. If you're getting a 24", you may still be able to use a single vidcard with the 9800GX2, but we won't know until it comes out. If you go with a 30", definately get SLI. If you can, avoid SLI by getting a 22" or smaller monitor.
 
On today's front page of [H] Enthusiast is a link to nordichardware.com that says the 9800GTX gets the same benchmarks as an 8800GTS 512MB. You might want to consider that in deciding which graphics card(s) to purchase.
 
AndonSage said:
On today's front page of [H] Enthusiast is a link to nordichardware.com that says the 9800GTX gets the same benchmarks as an 8800GTS 512MB. You might want to consider that in deciding which graphics card(s) to purchase.
Click to expand...

OUCH. If that's true, what is NVIDIA smoking? I was expecting at least some improvement from 8-series midrange to 9-series high end...
 
Sovereign said:
OUCH. If that's true, what is NVIDIA smoking? I was expecting at least some improvement from 8-series midrange to 9-series high end...
Click to expand...

Someone in another forum posted a message referencing possible driver problems for this situation. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
 
still a kickass rig. I say fuck the budget, except no quad sli.. instead get a 24" monitor.
 
I can't get anywhere on that front, no room on my desk and parents would go apeshit. Apeshit parents = no university tuition.

Hence...
 
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