upgrading a really old pc

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SnareBear

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Sep 17, 2006
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I just got a 1080p (1920x1080) monitor and I would like to run current games at that resolution. I have a 3 year old hp media center m270n
which is agp based. I don't plan on overhauling my pc because I will be going to college in two years and I won't be bringing it over because I'm getting something newer when I leave. I plan on just upgrading my video card and powersupply, but if i can get away with pci-e for roughly the same price I would. The price range I'm considering is from $100-200 since it will only last me for 2 more years. What should I do, go pci-e or stick to agp?
 
If you went pci-e you would have to make a new build. For 200 dollars I dont think thats realistic
 
yes for $200 you will not be able to play well at all at that resolution, but depends on the game you want to play. you will need either a geforce 6 and up video card or a x800 and up i believe to utilize hd resolution
 
I just don't see myself spending so much for something that I won't be using in a few years. If it was somewhere around $400 to change over to pci-e, I wouldn't mind as much; but then again, i have socket 478 cpu and old memory that would have to be upgraded.
 
SnareBear said:
I just don't see myself spending so much for something that I won't be using in a few years. If it was somewhere around $400 to change over to pci-e, I wouldn't mind as much; but then again, i have socket 478 cpu and old memory that would have to be upgraded.
Click to expand...

at that resolution, nothing AGP will be able to play current games without dropping a lot of the settings to medium or below. The fastest AGP cards are the 7800GS (the gainward cards if you can find them) or the X850XTPE. However, those cards are beyond your budget.

If you were planning on gaming at that res and wanted to play at a reasonable quality level, I wouldn't suggest anything lower than a 7900GTX/1900XTX. SLI would be preferable.

Exactly which games were you looking to play? Perhaps the titles could be playable depending on their age...
 
For that price, stick to AGP. 7800 GS is good, but out of your range, never mind the fact that you'll have to beef up the PSU on top of the vid card.

this or this or this plus a decent PSU - say this one.

That'll keep you under your 200.00 limit, and probably let you play at those resolutions. Just no AA and fairly low AF.

BB
 
BB Gun said:
plus a decent PSU - say this one.
Click to expand...

He can drop to the AX400-PN, that'd be more than enough juice.

However, all the cards you listed will struggle at that res....I suppose if he's really willing to drop the detail levels then go for it.
 
Depends on what games. If you're talking older games, or non-cutting edge games, you can do it.

I play Guild Wars at 1920x1200 maxed out on my 24" FW900 CRT on my x850xt. Ditto for UT2004.

But if you're talking FEAR, Quake4, etc that's a different story. You'll have to move to PCIe for that.
 
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