System Planning

[MysticMooseBB]

As this is my first post on [H], I’d like to say a preliminary hello and thanks to the repliers.

Because money is tight, I'd like to just upgrade a component or two and keep my system until at least summer 06. I'm having a difficult time identifying the bottleneck (or future bottleneck) in my current system. Currently I can play Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 at respectable resolutions and achieve playable frames, but I do realize within half a year- things might become difficult. What could offer the biggest improvement for the investment?

Specs:
ABIT IC7-MAX3
P4 2.8 800fsb
1 GB (512x2) 3700 Corsair
ATI 9800xt
SATA 2x120gb Raid 0

Follow up question: Does 2GBs of RAM actually have a noticeable improvement on gaming?

Thanks,
Moose

 

[gwai lo]

upgrade cooling, oc that sucker, and get a 6800GT or something and...

BAM new computer

For gaming 2 gigs will be a waste...not much of a difference, if any at all.

 

[S1nF1xx]

Welcome to forums Moose.

Your system is pretty well balanced. Currently your video card is still very respectable, and your CPU and RAM are up to par. I can't see a single upgrade other than a video card that would give a decent boost. I don't think you'll have much trouble running games until summer of '06 with that rig. Unless you *need* to run them at higher resolutions.

If you're really worried about gaming performance, I'd waid a few months and then pick up a 6800GT for dirt cheap.