Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games

Computing.Net > Forums > PC Gaming > Good enough?

Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to start participating now! Also, be sure to check out the New User Guide.

Good enough?

Reply to Message Icon

Name: csampson01
Date: March 31, 2004 at 02:30:49 Pacific
OS: Windows XP
CPU/Ram: XP2000+ / 512MB DDR
Comment:

Hi all,

I have kinda been out of the PC gaming loop for a while now, and basically got the urge to get back in after picking up a copy of PC Gamer this morning.

I basically want to know how my PC would fare with some of the newer games out there. I have an AMD XP2000+ CPU, 512MB DDR266 and a Nvidia 32MB M64 graphics card.

Now I would probably say that the CPU and RAM are OK to play most games, but i'm not sure about the graphics card.

What do you guys think? If there is a piece of kit that you think I would need to replace, any suggestions? I'm not on the biggest budget, so low-mid range decent stuff.

Cheers,
C



Sponsored Link
Ads by Google

Response Number 1
Name: Hooner
Date: March 31, 2004 at 02:57:35 Pacific
Reply:

Your CPU and RAM will do you fine for all modern games, although you may still want to look into overclocking that chip to 2600 speeds.

The only thing you need to change in my opinion is the video card, get yourself a shiny new Radeon 9600 Pro, or even the XT if your budget can stretch that far, that will set you up NICELY :-)

I don't suffer from insanity, I embrace it.


0

Response Number 2
Name: csampson01
Date: March 31, 2004 at 03:37:35 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks for the reply,

Hmmm.... don't have the £90 - £100 + to spend on a card right now (don't think the missus would appreciate it), although I have just had a look on ebay and some people are selling the 9600 Pro for as little as £45.

Are there any decent cheaper cards about that would do the trick? If not then I will probably make the effort to get a 9600 pro soon.

Cheers,
C


0

Response Number 3
Name: Avarik
Date: March 31, 2004 at 08:17:13 Pacific
Reply:

The GeForce FX 5200 is about $100 US but its not a very good card, anyhow it's 128MB and better than what you've got.

-Avarik
nomoresnsleft3 - AIM


0

Response Number 4
Name: j3r3my_07
Date: March 31, 2004 at 12:39:03 Pacific
Reply:

I have an ATI RAdeon 9800 Pro w/ stock core/memory and scored almost 5000 (it's 4989) in 3DMark 03 and I got it for $199.99 at bestbuy.

I have the same CPU as yours but mine is a P-mino core and combined w/ 1GB PC133 RAM :=( since I can afford a new mobo lol...well maybe you may want to upgrade to 333MHz DDR ram (PC2700) and OC that lil 2000+...and since you're on a budget...9600pro/XT will do just fine for your system...

good luck,
MAX


0

Response Number 5
Name: j3r3my_07
Date: March 31, 2004 at 12:44:39 Pacific
Reply:

you may find a very good card and cheap at ebay like ati 8500 128mb (not LE) or GeForce Ti4600... both cards, i think, outperformed fx5200 cards...


0

Related Posts

See More



Response Number 6
Name: Baz.
Date: March 31, 2004 at 13:26:23 Pacific
Reply:

Chris, if you have a small buget go to www.novatech.co.uk , they sell there own brand cards, well there either leadtek or creative labs ones that they send you, there Geforce fx 5200 128mb, all brand new, have done for all the computers in my house (ive got 4 of them), run all games nice and smooth, and are at a ridculously low price of £39.99. And before all the ATI fan boys start flaming, yes some cards are better than others, i doubt hes gonna get a geforce fx5200 or any other dx9 compatible card brand new for under 40 quid.


0

Response Number 7
Name: rick152
Date: March 31, 2004 at 14:09:41 Pacific
Reply:

Ti4200..Fx5200..9600 pro..bah

look for a 9500 pro. 9500pro's are much better and they are cheaper than 9600 pros.

B.T.W you cannot overclock palomino or tbred processors.

Aspire X-Dreamer II
Thermaltake 480W Silent Purepower PSU
Asus P4S800 MoBo
Pentium 4 2.6ghz @ 3.0ghz
eVGA Geforce FX 5900 SE
Creative SB Audigy LS


0

Response Number 8
Name: jeandan12
Date: March 31, 2004 at 19:08:19 Pacific
Reply:

You cannot oveclock palomino or tbred ?? So my XP1800+ tbred (A) running at 1900 mhz is a miracle.


0

Response Number 9
Name: rick152
Date: March 31, 2004 at 19:27:09 Pacific
Reply:

I know for sure that palomino cannot be overclocked. i heard that tbred can't either, but i could be wrong. After all I have no experience with AMD Processors.. =P

Aspire X-Dreamer II
Thermaltake 480W Silent Purepower PSU
Asus P4S800 MoBo
Pentium 4 2.6ghz @ 3.0ghz
eVGA Geforce FX 5900 SE
Creative SB Audigy LS


0

Response Number 10
Name: csampson01
Date: April 1, 2004 at 04:46:47 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

I have had a look on the Novatech site, and also on eBay. Novatech also do a card for under £40, it's a Radeon 9200SE, is this just a big pile of pants, or would it do the trick?

I also found some seemingly good deals on ebay, although I guess I would be quite lucky to get a very decent cart that ends on a low price, but you never know!

Cheers,
C


0

Response Number 11
Name: csampson01
Date: April 1, 2004 at 04:57:12 Pacific
Reply:

Hmm...

My motherboard is an Asus A7A266, and the AGP slot is AGP Pro/4X/2X/1X, will I need 8X to use any of these cards?

Cheers,
Chris


0

Response Number 12
Name: Hooner
Date: April 1, 2004 at 05:13:14 Pacific
Reply:

No, all 8x cards are backwards compatable with 4x.

The 9200SE is indeed, as you so eloquently put it, a large pile of pants, probably soiled pants in fact.

But having said that, it is better than my card (GeForce 4 MX440), and I have minimum trouble playing the latest games (BF: Vietnam, Far Cry, UT2004, Max Payne 2, etc.), although I do have to lower detail somewhat they are all perfectly playable.

The 9200SE will do you for now, but don't expect more than 30 FPS in Far Cry and similarly tasty looking titles.

Looking at Novatech, I'd be more inclined to go for a 9600 Pro, or a Ti4200, for a few quid more, or in 2 months time you'll be left wondering why you didn't buy a better card.

I don't suffer from insanity, I embrace it.


0

Response Number 13
Name: Ed2289
Date: April 1, 2004 at 07:15:29 Pacific
Reply:

the new tbred chips cant be overcloked...

id say get a 9500 too


0

Response Number 14
Name: Hooner
Date: April 1, 2004 at 07:25:15 Pacific
Reply:

Any chip can be overclocked by altering the FSB, doesn't matter if the multiplier has been locked down or not.

I don't suffer from insanity, I embrace it.


0

Sponsored Link
Ads by Google
Reply to Message Icon

Anti Aliasing Farcry crashes



Post Locked

This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.


Go to PC Gaming Forum Home


Sponsored links
Ads by Google


Results for: Good enough?
Is this a good enough system? www.computing.net/answers/gaming/is-this-a-good-enough-system/2851.html

is this good enough?? www.computing.net/answers/gaming/is-this-good-enough/5959.html

bad fps in ravens sheild..good comp www.computing.net/answers/gaming/bad-fps-in-ravens-sheildgood-comp/380.html