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performance increase (gaming) - which should I buy?

O

oblivionx

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 9, 2004
Messages
112
Okay, I've got a few choices on what I can buy next for my comp, and I was looking for suggestions. My current system is:

MSI 845e Max2 Mobo
P4 2.53ghz
2x 512 PC3200 DDR400
Gainward Geforce4 TI-4600
SB Audigy
Primary IDE: Master WD 250gb 8mb Cache / Slave WD 120gb
8mb Cache
Secondary IDE: Master Optorite DD0401 DVD+/-RW


I'm planning on replacing the mobo and processor with a Asus P4P800 Deluxe and a P4 3.0C ghz processor. However, this also opens other avenues of upgrade for me. Here are the options:

1.) 2x 36 GB SATA Raptors in Raid0
2.)1x 74GB SATA Raptor
3.)New video card (Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb or 256mb)

So, obviously, a video card is going to give me the best performance increase, especially for gaming. However, here is the situation - I was originally planning on purchasing a new video card either when the next gen cards come out (and these go down in price), or when HL2 / Doom3 comes out. So, for sure, I will be getting a new video card. So I guess the question is whether or not it is worth it to get the Raptors,either in Raid0 or just a single raptor.

I had thought that raid0 gives a noticeable performance increase, especially with 2 raptors, but the latest posts I've read say otherwise, so now I am skeptical on whether it is worth it to get them.

As for video card, if I do get the video card, what are the differences in the 9800 Pro 128mb and 256 mb models? Are there significant differences in performance between the two models?

This computer is my college computer, and it is used for gaming, however, I also do a significant amount of digital imaging/web design, programming (that requires no cpu I know), and file sharing on a local college network (not illegal). This is in addition to the typical amount of educational computer use, internet browsing research, chat, etc, but that really doesn't require much anyway.

I'm open to any suggestions/comments, just leave a msg here.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin
 
ok i think its retarded that ur getting a p4 3.0 reasons: can't b overclocked as much as 2.8, presscott is soon to come, and u should get an Amd64 to be prepared for 64 bit operating systems. And dont get any of that bullpoo Intel p4 ht crap cauz that just takes all the power away from pc's. Its only if ur gonna be wacking off and playing counter strike in one. Best processor to get now is YES the Amd64 and if not wait for presscott because the mobo's that come out with it have DDRII and it'll be much more optimized for mobo performances. Same with ur video card. wait just a couple more months, new cards are coming and the memory that is on most cards now will be useless for most games to come within the next 2 years. Buying a 9800 pro is retarded, because 128mb!?!?! are you JOKING that ish will be ass raped by games this summer. Wait for the cards that come out with DDRII, i kno i'm talking too much bout DDRII but its TRUE, u'll be thankful when all the other cards become slow and ur sitting there with a cards ready to last another 3-5 years! Cards right now with DDRII are not good unless ur willing to pay $$$$ then i suggest the Ati Fire Gl 9800 pro. Otherwise....wait.
-flipness
 
I'm not here to flame you for your opinion, fliptastic, but the Intel Pentium 4 Northwoods have been statistically proven over and over again to have far superior video editing capability with the hyperthreading technology.

Yes, the Prescott cored processor is highly overrated, but it's still in its infancy. The Athlon64's aren't anything to brag about either, as they have been shown to be running about the same as a 3.0C or equivalent.

And a FireGL?! He might as well cancel out all desire to game then because that outdated card is purely for video editing.

Oblivionx:

You are facing an interesting set of personal preferences on this one. While going for RAID-0 or 1 with the dual Raptors will definitely sport a great performance combination, they are far more susceptible to data loss, at least in RAID-0.

Personally, I'd opt for the single 74 GB Raptor, solely based on its unitary performance superiorty over a 36 GB Raptor.

The only true difference between a 128 MB Radeon 9800 Pro and a 256 MB one is just that, memory cache size. Nothing on the market today even utilizes the full 128 MB, so it's redundancy and bragging rights to spend more money on more onboard RAM.

Anything else?

Dark Assassin
 
Do you even intend to Overclock?

From the sounds of things probably not? You just want a good performer out of the box. In that case I throw my hat into the A64 camp. I run my box first for gaming second for productivity. :) This is why I have the A64, and I am very VERY happy with it. As you can see fom my sig it is a real monster in game performance. <Sent an e-mail to Kyle trying to find out why my score is so much higher than theirs.> I will also run a test with 3dmark03 and post that score too in my sig. So who knows it may be their by the time you read this.

The A64's are real champs when it comes to playing games. But NOT when it comes to overclocking. If you want to overclock like a fiend I reccomend something else. I would go P4 in that case and start with a 2.4c. With the Air OC's I have been reading about you will get 3.0 performance out of one No problem.
 
1) Ignore fliptastic....he's giving newbs a bad name

2) a Raptor RAID is awesome. See sig. Two in RAID0 will be much faster than a single drive.
 
With the exception of the Raptors, why buy anything right now??? Your setup is still pretty good, and there is a lot of new stuff coming out this year. PCI-Express, BTX, new GPU's...unless you are sitting on a pile of money i guess.;)
 
I wouldn't even mess with the MB or CPU, but if you need a new HD then the Raptor(s) should do. As far as the video card, it's your decision. If you plan to keep the video card for a long time and are drooling over HL2, then get a Radeon 9800Pro or XT (256MB). If not, then either keep what you have or get a 128MB Radeon.
 
Your system is fine IMO. If you want speed in games, try running Raptors in Raid or just get the 73 gig raptor. You could also look at uping your video card or wait until PCI-Express comes out. Since you do digital imaging I would get a raptor.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

The Mobo/processor are already purchased, they are in the mail, I guess I didn't make that clear in my first post - mobo and processor are here for sure. As for overclocking, I am not sure if I plan to overclock, I might, but in case I decide against it I'd like a fast cpu to fall back against, and again since they are already purchased, I'm not switching over to an AMD.

My original plan was to take advantage of the new SATA ports on the mobo and get a Raid0 2x 36GB Raptor config going, but the reason I was skeptical was the latest few posts about raid0 in the Data Storage forum here at [H]. However, after talking to a few other people as well I think that is my best course.

I also forgot to mention that in summer I will be using this system to do a fair amount of video editing, post production "special effects" and such

I'll buy a new videocard later, either when HL2 comes out or when the next set of cards come out.

One last question - for PCI Express - that requires a new motherboard does it not? I assume the PCI-E port is different than a standard PCI port in some way?

Thanks again
Kevin
 
Originally posted by oblivionx
One last question - for PCI Express - that requires a new motherboard does it not? I assume the PCI-E port is different than a standard PCI port in some way?
Click to expand...

Yes you will need a new motherboard if you want PCI Express. Most motherboards will continue with legacy PCI ports but add in a couple new PCI Express ports also. AGP on the other hand will be done away with on those motherboards.
 
Ummm.. well, besides Fliptastic being a retard..


Go for the 74GB WD Raptor.

Raid 0 is only faster when transferring large files back and forth (though with P2P, it might be something to think about). As far as gaming goes, you will see little to no improvement over a 74GB drive (actually, probably less- the 74GB uses platters that have 150% the density, therefore there are highly improved read times and RA times, which are what games depend on mostly).
 
Would it be worth getting a A64 now (out here in Aus they are really expensive), or maybe a P4 2.6 HT? I'm looking for a new system too, but on a tight budget, as my current system (see sig) sucks. Any help, please, would be appreciated.
 
Originally posted by Grimlakin
Do you even intend to Overclock?

From the sounds of things probably not? You just want a good performer out of the box. In that case I throw my hat into the A64 camp. I run my box first for gaming second for productivity. :) This is why I have the A64, and I am very VERY happy with it. As you can see fom my sig it is a real monster in game performance. <Sent an e-mail to Kyle trying to find out why my score is so much higher than theirs.> I will also run a test with 3dmark03 and post that score too in my sig. So who knows it may be their by the time you read this.

The A64's are real champs when it comes to playing games. But NOT when it comes to overclocking. If you want to overclock like a fiend I reccomend something else. I would go P4 in that case and start with a 2.4c. With the Air OC's I have been reading about you will get 3.0 performance out of one No problem.
Click to expand...

if you're not gonna go AMD64; then get dual raptors.
 
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