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Upgrade older rig.

S

scj6771

Weaksauce
Joined
Jan 18, 2004
Messages
68
I know my rig is a bit of a fossil, but I don't really play any graphic intensive games (TF2 and BF), I know they could run better with some nice new shiny parts but money is tight at the moment.. so... I was hoping all you experts could help me decide on a possible investment on a better video card and maybe a memory upgrade (looking for 4GB).

Here are my current specs running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit.

1. ASUS A8N-E 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard

2. MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256E GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Support Video Card

3. Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V 550W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Power Supply

4. CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWINX1024-3200C2PT

5. AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.0GHz Socket 939 Single-Core Processor ADA3200BPBOX

Like I said, I know she is old, but I really can't complain about the performance, I would just like to take it a step higher with a new video card and some memory.
 
skys the limit with the video card, i would look into a lower model 4xxx card - even a 3870 would do you pretty good (or a 9800gt). I run a 3850 on my 3400+ and it works great for the older games i like to play. the 4xxx series right now at those sweet spot bargain price

as far as memory, being DDR you'll be more hard pressed to find a good deal.. i would just add another 2x512 to the box to bring your total to 2Gb, if you can find 2x1gb ddr1 for a good price then adding it for 3gb total would be better.
 
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OC and save up your money for a full rebuild then sell off your old rig to help off-set the cost.
 
Looks like I made a mistake.
I'd suggest a newer board that uses DDR3, and just to clarify DDR2 and DDR3 are not compatible. DDR2 prices are a little more expensive. If you're willing to spend a little more, I'd suggest something with 4 memory slots. [Examples 1 2 ]

I'm also an ASUS fanboy... though I don't have much science behind it, I've had pretty good luck with their boards.

I believe you stated in your post your 7600GT was PCI-E 16x, so it would work in any modern motherboard with PCI-E slots.

The CPU might work with that mobo, just to be sure I'd recommend checking the manufacturer website.

If you're in the US and have a microcenter near you, you might check out their "Free mobo with CPU" deal.
 
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You beat me to the punch, your second option (BIOSTAR) looks like a decent budget board and I was just reading some reviews on it.

I went to the BIOSTAR website and within the specs for the board they do list the AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core CPU as being supported.

Any thoughts about that CPU? The price is definitely right.

Also, on the BIOSTAR website they list this particular model of G. SKILL as being supported: (G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-2GBNQ). I suppose I should go with what I know is supported?

So it looks as follows thus far with a total of $138.00

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179

2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231150

3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903
 
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Any decent memory won't have any problems with the motherboard, don't be afraid to go for the 4GB kit listed above, or any similar well reviewed kit. It's pretty rare to have memory incompatibilities these days. I've used GSKILL pretty exclusively for the last couple years and have yet to find a motherboard that it didn't work. Crucial is guaranteed to work with every motherboard according to their site as well if you want to shop a bit more.

The dual core CPU is significantly faster than your old single core.
Your existing GPU will be your limiting factor for most of your games, but your whole system overall will feel much faster.

The motherboard would also appear to support a number of upgrades; quad or hex core CPU's and more memory, so it gives you some upgrade paths.

You might take a look at the "combos" at newegg, they often will dock $10 off the CPU you want to buy, or make a faster CPU the same price. I noticed a combo that was $100 for a slightly faster processor, or another for an OEM CPU if you want to get your own third party cooler.

Otherwise what you have planned out looks pretty good.
 
Thanks for all your help hotcrandel, parts have been ordered and are on their way. Would you still suggest the HD 5670 as a decent upgrade to my 7600GT? At this point funds are low, anything a little cheaper? I am partial to Nvidia, though like you stated "I don't have much science behind it" either.

Oh... And what do you recommend as for the compound to bind the CPU to the sink?
 
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Here is an Nvidia 240GT for cheap AR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150475&cm_re=240gt-_-14-150-475-_-Product

Should be similar to the AMD HD5670, I think? I didnt look at benchmarks kinda going off memory. HD5670 being a little faster, but both will crush that old 7600GT.

I picked up a HD4850 for $40 but I don't see any deals like that atm.

I definitely suggest going with the 4GB vs 2GB of ram if possible, for only $12 more. You probably still have time to make order changes. :p

That Athlon x2 250 has some nice motherboard combo deals I hope you took advantage of.

Stock heatsink comes with paste that works fine. Or if you have a friend that messes around with computers get some from him. No reason to spend extra money.
 
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Yep, I went back and grabbed the 4GB kit.

I just realized I had a Quadro FX 380 card collecting dust. I know these are not classified as "gaming" cards, but would that be an improvement over the 7600GT? Or is that collecting dust for a reason?

***Update***

Disregard my last question, those cards are pretty weak.
 
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I just realized I had a Quadro FX 380 card collecting dust. I know these are not classified as "gaming" cards, but would that be an improvement over the 7600GT? Or is that collecting dust for a reason?
Click to expand...

The fx 380 is based on the 9400. Not an upgrade at all.
I would go with the 5670. That 240 linked is a joke. It would be an upgrade but was made for low power consumption and hd playback more than for games. The 5670 is a beast for a budget card.
 
Honestly if you haven't purchased a vid card yet, just use your existing one with the new parts. You may be pleasantly surprised. Save up a few dollars and pickup a midrange card later on.
 
lloose said:
The fx 380 is based on the 9400. Not an upgrade at all.
I would go with the 5670. That 240 linked is a joke. It would be an upgrade but was made for low power consumption and hd playback more than for games. The 5670 is a beast for a budget card.
Click to expand...

i disagree the GT240 compares to an 8800GS which I had and I was never at any time disapointed I went from a 7600GT oced to 650/1700 to the XFX 8800GS and at stock got 2.5x the preformance and the GT240 is equal to an 8800GS if its a decent price its quite nice. Shader count and shader clock are equal and it has more memory and bandwith than my XFX 8800GS did which oced to 2000mhz DDR3 on a 192bit bus with 384mb of DDR3,while a GT240 has a 128bit bus with GDDR5 runs at 850x4. Id grab a GDDR5 GT240 if its a good price
 
I see used 4850's for like 40 bucks quite often. Are you opposed to buying used?
 
Omegas said:
Honestly if you haven't purchased a vid card yet, just use your existing one with the new parts. You may be pleasantly surprised. Save up a few dollars and pickup a midrange card later on.
Click to expand...

I agree with this.
 
Honestly if you haven't purchased a vid card yet, just use your existing one with the new parts. You may be pleasantly surprised. Save up a few dollars and pickup a midrange card later on.
Click to expand...
Think I will take your advice, at least until I save some coin for a video card upgrade.

Thanks all for your help. I will keep you posted on my progress.
 
The GDDR5 version of the GT240 is a bit slower than the HD5670 [GDDR5], but they are close together in performance.

The GDDR3 version is a fair amount slower.
 
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