Upgrading Advice Needed

[PhilAnselmoiss]

Hello,

I have a fairly old system
Abit Kt7a
512 MB Infineon Ram
Rad 8500 Le 64MB
Amd 2100+ (1.66) ghz

I was looking into getting a new videocard. Spefically a rad 9600 pro 256mb.
I play mostly lineage2 or desert combat (bf1942) occationally some of the new games. I have a real problem with lag during huge raids where like 200 or more people show up its like a slide show. But i hear that frome everyone else that plays too. However i've seen videos that people record with fraps and they have good framerates. I'd like to be able to play bf2 and doom3 with nice framerate as opposed to the limited 800x600 low detail i have to run now just to keep it playable

I did a quick browse online for the 9600 pro and in DOOM3 it pumps out twice the framerate that my card does under medium 1024x768 settings. Problem is each website I go to that has reviewed it has neglected to include a cpu scaling. So Im really lost as to wether the 9600 will give me that performance upgrade or if my pc is just too old? The maximum my motherboard accepts is a 2100+ palamino even with bios upgade so I can only get a new videocard and some ram.

I have 1 more spot for ram, so im thinking another 256 with the 9600pro. I really don't have much of a choice. Will this be enough to stay up to date with current games or is this just a case of wishfull thinking? I'd really appreciate any real experience with an upgrade like this as opposed to theoretical results. Also what videocard would you suggest for a system as old as mine? Finally I do not overclock my system although I have heatsinks designed for it and 3 input and 3 output fans (includin power supply)

Cheers and best wishes,

 

[Shmuckety]

I had the same question a little while back. I am going with the 6800LE here

Here is my thread, give it a read.

 

[TheMostWantedPolishTwin]

well yeah - the difference will be noticable for sure.. and the card won't be held back like it would be if you got lets say 6800 of any flavour.. just make sure the card is a real 9600pro with 400 MHz core clock and 600 MHz memory (preferably BGA).

 

[cnick79]

I think you're due for a new computer, especially if you want to play BF2 and Doom3.