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I am interested in upgrading my computer to a point where it will be compatible with the current generation of games, aswell as the next generation of games in the coming years...but all within a budget. I have a spare $150-200 a month.
I already know I must replace my video card, that is certain. Also, more RAM will improve overall performance, and isn't too expensive to do that.
I have settled on purchasing an ATI Radeon video card, but am too computer illiterate to understand which video card would give me the best performance for my money. I am not afraid to pay a bit extra for increased performance, but am not willing to pay an extreme amount of money for a video card.
If there is any information needed to determine what video card I should purchase, please inform me.
Thanks.
You have to provide more info on your current system. If it's a Compaq, it's definitely not gonna hold you over to "the next generation of games", but you may be able to extend it's usefulness for a while. High power gaming cards require a decent power supply...most of them have to be plugged in directly because they can't get enough power from the AGP slot alone. I assume your board has an AGP slot?
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP1
0 
As far as the video card, you'll probably be safe with an ATI x850XL or XT (Platinum Edition, if you can spare the extra few bones), for current and many future titles. I personally think that XL gives the most bang for the buck out of all video cards.
However, those are just my standards. I'm sure there is a less expensive card that others will recommend, that will fit your needs just fine.
If you wait a little while on the video card, the price will surely drop. That's the benefit (and sometimes the back breaker) of slowly building a system over time like you're doing. When I was on a tighter budget, I always purchased the CPU and video card last in hopes that the prices would drop dramatically, considering the rate at which new tech is released. Luckily, it always did.
Good luck.
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How the heck can you recommend a card without knowing the system specs?
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP1
0
It's kinda lengthy, but here is a recent system summary report.
Mainboard
Manufacturer : ASUSTek Computer INC.
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : Kamet2
Version : 2.01
Serial Number : MB-1234567890
System BIOS : 11/27/2003-KM400-8237-6A6LYA0DC-00
Chipset : VIA KT400/A, KT600On-board Devices
Other : Other (Enabled)
Video Adapter : Video Adapter (Enabled)
Ethernet Adapter : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)
Sound Adapter : Sound Adapter (Enabled)System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
Bank0/1 - A0 : None None None None DIMM 512MB
Bank2/3 - A1 : EmptyChipset 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc KM400 CPU to PCI Bridge
Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz data rate)
Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 2x 166MHz / 2x 200MHz
Width : 64-bit
IO Queue Depth : 4 request(s)Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : V-Link
In/Out Width : 4-bit / 4-bit
Multiplier : 2/1x
Speed : 8x 66MHz (528MHz data rate)
IO Queue Depth : 9 request(s)Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 256MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-7 2CMD
Bank 1 : 256MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-7 2CMD
Shared Memory : 64MB
Bank Interleave : 4-way
Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 1/1x
Width : 64-bit
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : NoAPIC 1
Version : 0.03
Speed : 16MHz
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : YesMemory Module 1
Manufacturer : Hyundai Electronics
Model : HYMD264 646B8J-J
Serial Number : 1C1DC147
Type : 512MB DDR-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(32Mx8)
Speed : PC2700U 2.5-3-3-7
Date of Manufacture : Tuesday, December 15, 2048
Set Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.0-2-2-6Environment Monitor 1
Model : Winbond W83697(T)HF ISA
Version : 6.00
Mainboard Specific Support : NoTemperature Sensor(s)
Board Temperature : 35.0°C / 95.0°F
CPU Temperature : 43.0°C / 109.4°F tdCooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
CPU Fan Speed : 2058rpmVoltage Sensor(s)
CPU Voltage : 1.65V
+3.3V Voltage : 3.34V
+5V Voltage : 4.95V
+12V Voltage : 11.07V
Standby Voltage : 4.82V
Battery Voltage : 3.25VAGP Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 3.05
Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 1/2x
Fast-Writes Enabled : No
Isochronous Mode Enabled : No
Addressing Enabled : 32-bit
Aperture Size : 64MBPCI Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.10
Number of Bridges : 1
PCI Bus 0 : PCI (33MHz)
Multiplier : 1/5xLPC Hub Controller 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT8237 PCI to ISA Bridge
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes
Multiplier : 1/4x
Speed : 8MHz
DMA Multiplier : 1/2x
DMA Speed : 4MHzUSB Controller 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : NoUSB Controller 2
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : NoUSB Controller 3
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : NoUSB Controller 4
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : NoUSB Controller 5
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT6202 USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 8
Companion Controllers : 4
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 32-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : NoFireWire/1394 Controller 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc VT6306 VIA Fire II IEEE-1394 OHCI Link Layer Controller
Version : 1.00
Interface : OHCI
Enhanced Support : No
Channels : 64
Speed : 400MHzSystem SMBus Controller 1
Model : VIA VT823x SMBus
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No
Speed : 16kHz
0
You need to upgrade psu before anything. As for whether you can, i dk, because osme mobos are proprietary. SO you may be stuck. If you save for 4 months, you can build a new computer.
ASPIRE ATXB4KLW-AL Antec 400W
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
AMD 3700+ San Diego
Corsair 1GB 2x512
eVGA 6600GT
250GB Hard Drive
Sound Blaster Audigy
Windows XP HOME W/SP2
0
Hindu Holy cow! +12V Voltage @ 11.07V thats dramatically low on the amprage there, my PSU Manual states that it will automatically shut it self down if it drops below 11.47 volts, well I guess that manufactured computers for ya!
CHIPSET---i865pe
CPU-------Prescott 2.8ghz @ 4004Mhz 286x14
FSB-------@ 1144Mhz
RAM-------512x2 in dual config @ 430mhz
GPU-------PNY 6800 16x1,5vp
OS--------WinXP SP2
HDD-------36
0
Well, for your spare income you can get a decent motherboard and CPU for the first month. Doesn't have to be top of the line, but I'd recommend any with an nvidia chipset and AMD processor compatible.
Processor speed wise you wouldn't need to go higher than 2.0GHz.
Abit do some good motherboards.
AMD Athlon XP 1.8GHz
1GB RAM
120GB HDD SATA
GeForce 4 Ti4600 128MB
Nvidia nforce2 chipset w/ soundstorm
Pioneer DVD/RW
ABIT NF-7S Rev 2 Motherboard
0
Certainly didn't need ALL that info, but some of it's useful. It appears you have an OEM version of an Asus KM400 based board...probably the A7V8X-MX or A7V8X-MX SE.
I see you appear to be using the onboard graphics (64MB?), so that's knocking the useable RAM amount down to 448MB. You have 2 DIMM slots, but since you're only using one, you could add another stick of PC2700 to double the amount to 1GB.
The board only supports 333FSB CPUs & the 3000+/333FSB Barton is the only upgrade available. The cost isn't worth the minor clock speed increase.
You have an 8X AGP slot, so you have a lot of video card possibilities, but there's no point in going to high end. Your semi-outdated system will hold back a high end card, plus as was mentioned by damasta55r, a power supply upgrade would probably be necessary. And if your system is proprietary, a Compaq replacement would have to be used.
Since you want a Radeon, I'd suggest getting a 9600XT 128MB (less than $100)...I believe anything beyond that would require a direct connection to the power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125124
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP1
0
Well, I will probably just check out websites that can custom build a gaming PC for me. I'll have to save money for a few months, but it should be worth it; probablt cheaper, if not safer. Does anyone know of a reputable company?
Again, thanks for all of your help.
0
Not going against Jam or nothing, but my own opinion would be to do the following, assuming you can get your hands on $200 a month.
1st Month: CPU and Mobo (AMD Athlon and a Nvidia chipset motherboard).
2nd Month: a couple of good 512MB sticks of DDR dual channel RAM and a decent PSU
3rd Month: Decent graphics card - preferably Nvidia, because it will compliment your processor and chipset nicely.
4th Month: (If your still going) A good Hard disk. If you get a Mo/BO with SATA Raid, you could get a hard disk of this type. You want at least 80GB.
AMD Athlon XP 1.8GHz
1GB RAM
120GB HDD SATA
GeForce 4 Ti4600 128MB
Nvidia nforce2 chipset w/ soundstorm
Pioneer DVD/RW
ABIT NF-7S Rev 2 Motherboard
0
The question was about upgrading the current system, not building an entire new one.
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP1
0
check his last post...
AMD Athlon XP 1.8GHz
1GB RAM
120GB HDD SATA
GeForce 4 Ti4600 128MB
Nvidia nforce2 chipset w/ soundstorm
Pioneer DVD/RW
ABIT NF-7S Rev 2 Motherboard
0
I know, but it seems I may be able to get a new gaming PC for the price it would take to upgrade my current one.
0
If you can find a decent gaming rig for $125 (approx cost of 9600XT + 512MB RAM), I'll take 5 of em...lol
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP1
0
Slow upgrading over several months you end up cheating yourself in the end. Couple of key points to remember.
#1, your current computer functionally intact has resale value of probably more than the sum of the parts.
#2. Prices on hardware generally go down. Buy the same hardware over a two month period vs buying everything two months from now, generally you spend less money doing the latter.
#3. To make new equipment work with current hardware, you may end up making less wise investments. For example, you would have to get an AGP video card to work with your current motherboard. Had you just bought everything at once, you could have gone PCI-e. Other similar things could include your hard drive or possibly memory.
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