Considering Upgrading

[Da Rabid Duckie]

So yeah... I figured it was about time. I know I've got a lot of techie peers here, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask for additional input.

It's been getting to me for a while because I'm the type that's just got to run everything at full spec or I'm not happy. I'd thought about it when Doom 3 came out, really considered it when I played FEAR, and Oblivion was the kicker.

Here's my current rig:

Processor: AMD Athlonâ„¢ XP 2800+
Mainboard: Gigabyte GA-7N400-L
Total Memory : 1GB Corsair DDR400
Video Card: RADEON 9800 PRO
Power Supply: 520W
Hard Drives: Western Digital 80GB, 120GB, both IDE
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy (yes, the first model)

So here's the real question: I've had my 9800 Pro for nearly three years now, so upgrading the video card is definitely the main choice. However, I was thinking... I could save money by getting an x800 Pro AGP, but given how I am about upgrading, I think it's time to make the jump to a new mobo with PCIe.

What I may just do is this: get a new processor and mobo now, and then just get a new video card in August.

Sooo... any recommendations on video card/cpu/mobos? I tend to prefer ATI cards, AMD processors (I'm considering an Athlon64), and I'm generally open for mobos that support aftermarket cpu fans as well as a good layout. My budget is around $400 total, though I can be conviced to put in $50 more if the benefits are obvious.

[Da Rabid Duckie]

I didn't realize this until someone pointed it out to me, but if I'm going PCIe I have to upgrade them all at once. Yay.

Anyway, still taking recommendations on parts.

[glitch1501]

you wont need to upgrade them all at once, just most of them

i would say, get a
nvidia 7800gtx (or if financially possible a 7900) (i am generally an ATI person myself, but this generation of nvidia cards blows the 1800xt's away)
some type of pci-e asus mobo (just my personal preference)
and an amd athlon 64 X2 4200+ (or a 4800+ if possible)
another gig of ram (or 2 gigs of faster ram)

if you get that kind of stuff, you wont need to upgrade for a while, but its not cheap

[Da Rabid Duckie]

[quote="glitch1501"]you wont need to upgrade them all at once, just most of them ]And um... what part of "my budget is $400" means I can get all of those? That's at least $1000 of hardware! I agree, it's all sweet stuff, but it goes WAAAAAY past my budget.

Actually, at this time I've got the following picked out:

Athlon 64 3500 (socket 939)
ASUS A8V-E SE mobo

That's about $250. Add a $200 video card, and I'll be rolling. I'm looking at the HIS ATI Radeon X800 GTO IceQ II Turbo 256MB, and thinking that might fit the bill.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

your specs seem pretty decent. The ATI Radeon 9800 series is still pretty good for high-end gaming.

I'd just save money XD

[Mithrandir]

This is probably not what you wanted to hear, but...

I actually gave up on PC based gaming because of the expense involved in getting new hardware. I'm waiting for the PS3 to come out, then I'll go that route. I used to have to upgrade my PC every 2-3 years to be able to play the latest games.

Now I just wait 5-6 years and buy the consols (1995 for PS1, 2000 for PS2 and 2006 for PS3). Even if the PS3 ends up being a grand, I've still saved over the long run.

Just a though.

[Da Rabid Duckie]

This is probably not what you wanted to hear, but...

I actually gave up on PC based gaming because of the expense involved in getting new hardware. I'm waiting for the PS3 to come out, then I'll go that route. I used to have to upgrade my PC every 2-3 years to be able to play the latest games.

Now I just wait 5-6 years and buy the consols (1995 for PS1, 2000 for PS2 and 2006 for PS3). Even if the PS3 ends up being a grand, I've still saved over the long run.

Just a though.

Very wise advice, indeed. This isn't a typical upgrade for me though, as I usually do it in cycles, often spending no more than $150 a year on upgrades. This time, I'm making a format change, which unfortunately spikes the cost a bit. Yet next year I'll be going back to my standard cycle, so I'll be good again.

Besides, I love PC gaming too much. By far, I have the most PC games out of any of the systems I own, and I have a lot of them.

[glitch1501]

oh! sorry i didnt read that part, i just got so excited looking for the most expensive stuff lol....
i have an x800xt, its a great card, but your not going to be able to max out all the settings in oblivion (big deal lol?) it also doesnt support HDR (at least in oblivion)