Time To Upgrade? Maybe?

[{NcsO}ReichstaG]

Hey

I am just wondering, when is it a good time for me to upgrade my videocard and possibly my system.

Here are my current specifications:
NOTE: My system is running stock speeds
1) Nvidia 5900Ultra made by ASUS [450Mhz core speed/850Mhz memory]
Also, I have a VANTEC PCI Slot fan underneath the video card and it idles at about 57 C
2)P4 3.2 Ghz/800mhz FSB Regular (not Prescott)
ZALMAN CNPS6500B-AlCu CPU Fan
3) Intel D865 Motherboard
4)1 GIG of Kingston pc3200 RAM series regular in dual mode (512x2)
5) RAIDMAX Case w/ 420 Watt Power Supply
Here it is:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-135&depa=0
6) SoundBlaster Live 5.1
7)120 GB SeaGate 7200 RPM Harddrive

What do I do with my PC?
1) Games including but not limited to: Counterstrike 1.6 and soon CS:Source + HL2
2) Adobe Photoshop 7
3) Other applications including Dreamweaver MX
4) Minor things (i.e. surf the web/ do work)

 

[MFZ]

Hey

I am just wondering, when is it a good time for me to upgrade my videocard and possibly my system.

Here are my current specifications:
NOTE: My system is running stock speeds
1) Nvidia 5900Ultra made by ASUS [450Mhz core speed/850Mhz memory]
Also, I have a VANTEC PCI Slot fan underneath the video card and it idles at about 57 C
2)P4 3.2 Ghz/800mhz FSB Regular (not Prescott)
ZALMAN CNPS6500B-AlCu CPU Fan
3) Intel D865 Motherboard
4)1 GIG of Kingston pc3200 RAM series regular in dual mode (512x2)
5) RAIDMAX Case w/ 420 Watt Power Supply
Here it is:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-135&depa=0
6) SoundBlaster Live 5.1
7)120 GB SeaGate 7200 RPM Harddrive

What do I do with my PC?
1) Games including but not limited to: Counterstrike 1.6 and soon CS:Source + HL2
2) Adobe Photoshop 7
3) Other applications including Dreamweaver MX
4) Minor things (i.e. surf the web/ do work)

Your computer is fine man, there isn't much out there aside from the FX-53 that is much faster. As for the vid card, you would get a boost with a newer card but do you play games enough to justify spending the money on one? Also, is it a requirement for you to have 4xAA/8xAF or higher in these games at 1280x1024+? If not then you don't need to upgrade for awhile. I have an XT PE and play CS:S and BF:V but I dunno if it is really worth the cash for those two. To be honest, I haven't noticed a HUGE difference between my XT PE and my radeon 9800 in CS:S. I get somewhat higher fps now at 1280x1024 and get to use 4xAA instead of 2xAA and 16x AF rather than 8xAF but image quality wise there is only a marginal difference.

 

[Mr Mean]

The best time to upgrade is when your games are running choppy and laggy. If they're still smooth at the resolution you play at. Then there is no real reason to upgrade.