got $300 budget

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Bleedblue12345

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Nov 1, 2004
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I need a new video card for under $300
my curent 5700le is DEFINATLY not cutting it
also my comp is kinda slow so what would give me the most perf. boost
also i have agp 4x mobo

current specs:
2.0ghx p4
1gb ram
5700le
300 wat psu
 
My suggestion would be to try to pick up a Sempron CPU/Motherboard combo (with PCI-E), and then pick up a PCI-E 6800GS. That would give you a speed increase across the board and give you some room to upgrade. Of course this may slightly exceed your budget, but if you can scrounge up another $20 - $30 this would definantly be the way to go.
 
i totally agree with the post above... either stretch out your current card for a while longer or dive into pci-e. no point in upgrading agp more... especially 4X :eek:
 
I think your thinking about a regular A64, the FX is $1000 by itself. Just a little bit out of your budget range. The regular A64 is closer to your budget on the low end, but for a low-end A64 you will have to come up with closer to $400 (CPU - $120, MB - $70, 6800GS - $200). With the Sempron combo I suggested, you will get a noticable speed increase in everything, especially games. The A64 will give you a little more speed, but then you need to look at upgrading some other components, such as adding more memory. Not to mention probably needing a new power supply.
 
go with an agp 6800nu right now, or a 6600gt. Save the rest of the cash, or put it with what you could sell you current mobo & cpu for, and get a new mobo & cpu.
 
Motherboard

Stock OCed 6800GS

Sempron 64 2600+

For me, the total is $345 shipped, so I figure if you can get anything out of your current motherboard, processor, or video card you should be under $300 for your net expenses. While 754 doesn't leave you with a ton of options for down the road, you can still move up to an Athlon if you need to, and you'll be set for whatever video card you want. The only problem may be your PSU though, as 300w is on the low end for powering newer video cards I think.

But, if you for whatever reason don't want to upgrade your motherboard and cpu in addition to your video card, you can always just look for an AGP x850xtpe or 6800gt. Again with these cards, the PSU may be a problem as the recommended minimum is usually around 350w.

Whatever you decide to do, you'll be seeing a world of difference over your current setup, so have fun!
 
err, the AMD FX line costs upward of $800... if you have that much to spend then I'd say get the Athlon X2 (dual core) 3800+ and OC it. Nab either the DFI Ultra-D or Expert. Then use the money on a 7800 series.

However I get the impression you do NOT have that kind of money.

in your budget I'd suggest going with either;

2800+ Sempron $75
Abit NV8 $70
XFX 6600 GT $110
or get 6800 GS $205 if you can get a bit more $$$

Another option that leaves no room to go from 6600 GT to 6800 GS but offers a far better mobo / cpu platform would be;
Chaintech VNF4 $70
AMD 3200+ Venice $165
 
coolxboxgamer said:
thx guys ill probably will also need a new case considering this is a gateway computer ...
also maybe a new psu.

the ram is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820236112

my psu is not the original it is a 300 wat fortron psu with 18a on 12v
will this work with the amd mobo and processor (same questionwith ram)

thx
Click to expand...

Yeah, 300w won't cut the mustard.
Get at least a 450w one and you're set. I don't know about that PSU so I don't know if it's comaptible or not.
If you're going with the Chaintech, then yes, that memory will work with that mobo. Actually, all newer AMD mobos support DDR400, so it looks like you're set there.
 
PWMK2 said:
Yeah, 300w won't cut the mustard.
Get at least a 450w one and you're set. I don't know about that PSU so I don't know if it's comaptible or not.
If you're going with the Chaintech, then yes, that memory will work with that mobo. Actually, all newer AMD mobos support DDR400, so it looks like you're set there.
Click to expand...
See the system in my sig? Its on a 300W 15A on the 12V gateway PSU ^.^
 
PWMK2 said:
Yeah, 300w won't cut the mustard.
Get at least a 450w one and you're set. I don't know about that PSU so I don't know if it's comaptible or not.
If you're going with the Chaintech, then yes, that memory will work with that mobo. Actually, all newer AMD mobos support DDR400, so it looks like you're set there.
Click to expand...
my system is on a 300w psu as well.
 
yeah, christmas time is coming, ask for a few computer parts or something and buyzor the rest of it, definately time for a full upgrade ^^
 
acidic said:
theres x850xt agp for $250~ at microcenter ads
Click to expand...

i agree 110%. agp is not dead yet, ati still makes them. pcie is still in its baby steps, agp vs pcie (as it is now) are not very different in speed i think!
 
The 6800GS is coming out for AGP.... Support for it was added in the new 81.98 drivers.
 
get a micro atx board like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138268 and it will probably fit into your gateway case just fine. that's a really good socket 754 board for a sempron btw. and if you can't get a video card right off, it has built in video that will suffice for some light gaming. also, your power supply sounds like a quality one, and quality is always better than wattage. i wouldn't worry about it until its actually a problem, i.e, system won't boot, or you are benching much lower than expected. but, i think it will work just fine.
 
I'll toss my vote in the hat and agree with the others. S754 Sempron with PCI-E motherboard and a 6800gs. Your Fortron w/18a on the 12v is just fine. Then if you want more muscle later on, pop in a 3700+.
 
coolxboxgamer said:
I need a new video card for under $300
my curent 5700le is DEFINATLY not cutting it
also my comp is kinda slow so what would give me the most perf. boost
also i have agp 4x mobo

current specs:
2.0ghx p4
1gb ram
5700le
300 wat psu
Click to expand...

To be honest your specs are quite low for your current system and upgrading to PCIe you wouldn't be happy with it or get it working by reusing some of your old gear. You are better off taking that money and buying another AGP card until you decide to upgrade completely. You could possibly get an emachines PC real nice with half a gig of ram and a sempron 2.0ghz dvd drive and all that for 400 or so and later buying a GPU if you want to skimp with less fuss.

Personally you can get a 6800GS soon in AGP or a 6600GT now or one of the last gen ATI cards that will unlock for you but might as well be sure you can play upcoming game titles by getting one of the Nvidia cards. I would get one of those two cards and trudge on until you are financially comfortable upgrading the whole thing with around 1-1.5k
 
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