Upgrade Necessary???

[tim-x]

Hey Everyone
My comp is an intel 3.2c Northwood socket 478 w/ 512x2 DDR400 OCZ Premier, asus p4p800-e-deluxe.
I was wondering if you guys thought it would be best to simply hold out with this computer for the next little while until AMD brought out its new socket, or upgrade to the LG775 socket or whatever.
OR
Upgrade the comp I've got now to 2 gigs of better ram, another hdd, and a better agp video card such as a 7800gs or 6800 ultra.
I play games and such on my computer, but am not big into overclocking and am not absolutely obsessed with having the newest technology. Is my system good enough that if i were to add another gig of ram and upgrade my video card etc. that it would be worthwhile to do ? Or would it be best to wait perhaps 6 months to upgrade the entire comp.
Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Big Worm]

Just wait man, dont waste your cash.

I am still waiting for the next big hump in technology should be soon. If newer stuff is a disapointment, then the last gen equipment is only cheaper.

 

[tim-x]

i was afraid you were going to say that. ...
so true... but the waiting game sucks. let's play hungry hungry hippos.

 

[Pongi]

Decent Video cards:

6800GS AGP. These use the NV40 core so they have a quad that can be enabled (don't know the success rates however) Good luck finding a new 6800 Ultra AGP btw (FS/T forum?)

The 7800GS AGP cards look pretty well priced around $300

Since you have a P4P800-E You could opt for an Asus CT-479 and a Pentium M 740. Stock speed it should match your 3.2C. Overclocked (say 2.4Ghz @ 12x200FSB) it'll smoke it. You'll lose HT support but it'll be much faster for games and run fairly cooler. I know you mentioned you're not into overclocking so this may not be an option for you.

 

[tim-x]

hey
hmm... i've never even thought about putting a pentium M in my comp. Runs faster you say?
I've looked at the 6800GS and it seems like a pretty good card. it's about $100 (Canadian) more for a 7800GS so i'm not really sure... also i've been contemplating upgrading to PCI-Express but with AMD's new socket release scheduled for sometime in the next 3-6 months I'm not sure about that either. Stoo-pid computers =(

 

[Pongi]

hey
hmm... i've never even thought about putting a pentium M in my comp. Runs faster you say?
I've looked at the 6800GS and it seems like a pretty good card. it's about $100 (Canadian) more for a 7800GS so i'm not really sure... also i've been contemplating upgrading to PCI-Express but with AMD's new socket release scheduled for sometime in the next 3-6 months I'm not sure about that either. Stoo-pid computers =(

Yeah the Pentium M's are faster in games than P4s generally (again OCing making it more percivable). Though it'll cost you about $250 for the CPU+adapter. Not exactly pocket change in my opinion. Honestly a videocard upgrade and 1GB of ram is probably all you need for better gaming experience.

Or... you could wait for AMD's AM2 socket. But as you say that's about 3-6 months away. And then you'll have to deal with intro prices of the new CPUs and boards. I mean.. Personally, if it was me (if I had the money!), I'd probably just get a decent, inexpensive Socket 939 mobo and a lowend Athlon 64, and a decent PCI-E card and experience better gaming now, rather than wait 6 months to experience better gaming. And if you don't spend a lot I doubt you're going to reget it. But that's just me...

 

[tim-x]

I'm actually quite content with my 3.2c northwood. it's done me very well and still has a decent re-sale value. it sits idle at around 35 degrees celcius... so 95 fahrenheit and never seems to struggle. I was contemplating the pci-express upgrade but i'll likely just keep my 9800 pro.. it seems to do fairly well. NCIX.com has a decent sale for 2x1GB OCZ EL Platinum DDR400 ram that i might pick up. I've heard good things about it.

 

[{NcsO}ReichstaG]

Or you could go to Socket939 + Dual core.
I went from a 6800GT with a Pentium4 3.2Ghz Northwood Socket478 to the comp in my sig and it blows the Pentium4 away. I have it OCed, 100% stable, to 2.6Ghz, matching the FX-60 .

 

[tim-x]

Sounds tempting man. ... anyone know what kind of resale i could get on a 3.2 northwood and an asus p4p800e-deluxe mobo? =x

 

[UltimaParadox]

I am in exactly the same boat...

My 2.8C @ 3.2 AKA 233FSB, and has been holding out fine, but will be 3 years old coming up in July , which is ages for me. I have it paired with a 6800 Ultra and have not seen a reason to upgrade yet. I definetly want dual-core because I tried a life without hyper-threading with my laptop and it does not feel as smooth.

So I am still sitting here waiting for the socket M2, and hoping its good or getting a S939 with they come down.

 

[{NcsO}ReichstaG]

Sounds tempting man. ... anyone know what kind of resale i could get on a 3.2 northwood and an asus p4p800e-deluxe mobo? =x

I sold my 3.2Ghz Northwood (12 capacitor version) on eBay for ~ $160 i think + shipping
My Intel D865PE went for ~$50

 

[tim-x]

I am in exactly the same boat...

My 2.8C @ 3.2 AKA 233FSB, and has been holding out fine, but will be 3 years old coming up in July , which is ages for me. I have it paired with a 6800 Ultra and have not seen a reason to upgrade yet. I definetly want dual-core because I tried a life without hyper-threading with my laptop and it does not feel as smooth.

So I am still sitting here waiting for the socket M2, and hoping its good or getting a S939 with they come down.

you appear to be my hardforum equivalent. except i wish i had a 6800 ultra. I have an AMD 3000+ in my acer ferrari laptop and it's alright... I wouldn't mind going intel dual core but they're awfully expensive.