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Video Card or Processor?

I

ikellensbro

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 14, 2004
Messages
1,410
I have a 1600+ XP with an FX 5200 & 512 2100 DDR.

I have 200 bucks for upgrading, so what should I get?

Oh yeah, last time I checked, 9800XT's were above $200, so any suggestions?
 
i'd save right now, untill Socket 939 A64's come out..that way you'll have more money and can do a better upgrade (i.e. new system).

you don't really need to upgrade unless you feel you need to (i.e. games == no work)., no point in just throwing $$ away
 
depends on what you do. if you are a gamer go for a radeon 9800 pro they have them circut city for about 200 after rebates. you probley dont want to upgrade your memory since then you will most likely need a new mother board added on. processer is deccent and same thing about memory probley need new mobo if you want a faster proccer. what video card do you currently have in there
 
For gaming, you'd be smart to buy a new videocard rather than a new CPU, for obvious reasons.

It depends on how long you can wait, as always. New technology is unavoidable in this business, and when a new release happens, the price drops for everything previously released. You can wait for the next gen videocards, or buy now/soon.

For under $200 I would advise buying an nVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 XT/SE. You have quite a bit of options.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=5900XT

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-179&depa=1
 
Probably most newer video cards your gonna get arent going to get their full function with that processor. A 5600 ultra, or a 9600 (not SE) would probably fit right in with that computer.
 
get a used 9800pro for $200 shipped from [H]'s forum or Anandtech's ...

If not, get a 9500pro if u can find one! Save the rest of the $z for March - Far Cry, Solder, etc. :D
 
I agree with those that said to wait. However, if you're absolutely looking to do something right now, I'd consider upgrading both:

AMD Barton 2500+

$83.00 with free shipping (retail)

Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600

$102.00 with free shipping (retail).

You'll want to check your motherboard compatibility on both of them, but those give you a pretty decent boost for $185 total.
 
BTW, my mobo is a K7S5A, but I dont wanna really ugrade that though... but I dont know if that will work with the newer 9xxx's, so if you know up to what cards will work... well, that would be good.
 
Well, I checked ECS's webpage on your K7S5A motherboard. There appear to be two revisions, but that doesn't seem to matter with your particular questions.

In any case, your motherboard appears to be limited to 266 MHz and lower FSB. That would rule out the Barton 2500+ processor upgrade. The best you could do would be an Athlon XP 2200+

As far as the video card, yes - the 9600 will work with your motherboard. However, it will only run at 4x AGP (again - your motherboard is the limiting factor).

Given that you have the motherboard that you do, if it's at all possible, I'd hold off until I could afford a more overall upgrade. However, if you can't wait (for whatever reason) then go with the 2200+ and the Radeon 9600.
 
I'd hold off for the CPU/motherboard upgrade because you will need new RAM, mobo, and CPU. If you're a gamer, grab a 9600 and wait to upgrade the CPU/RAM/mobo. If you're not, I'd save up and get a core upgrade before upgrading your GPU.
 
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