Help With Next Major Upgrade?

[IAIHMB]

If you had this PC, what would be your next major upgrade? Keep in mind, you only have 250$-400$ to spend, and you have installed an additional 512MB of RAM, and another 80GIG hard disk. All you really do on the computer is play games, browse the net, and you've just taken up C++.

I am thinking the video card should go, but:
-are they hard to install?
-do I have to buy anything with the video card?
-what card would you go with?

Are there any other cheap upgrades I should go with while I am at it? Thanks for any advice.

Edit: I've done some more thinking. What about sound cards, are they worth upgrading? Also, are there any decent online mailorders?

[ViRaL1]

The video card seems halfway decent; are you experiencing slowdown? If not, I'd scratch that off the list unless you just have to have the latest and greatest.

Sound cards can be upgraded, but it's a matter of preference. Is the sound quality unsatisfactory? If so, you might want to check out your speakers as well. You already have 6.1 audio, the next step would be a 7.1 card.

You might want to look into replacing your CD-ROM with a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. This will save wear and tear on your DVD burner from ripping as well as allowing you to burn CDs much faster than 16x.
~$40 @ Newegg.

I'm sure someone will suggest a faster or DL DVD burner. If you're comfortable with 4x (about 15min burn time per disc), stick with it while prices drop and compatibility goes up.

[redwudz]

I don't see your CPU speed or type listed. Other than that don't a lot of need for major improvements. Motherboard information would also be useful.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't see the link the first time. Seems like an OK system, can't think of any really desperately needed improvements.

[ViRaL1]

Click the link where he says 'this' PC.

It's a P4 3.0/800FSB

[thecoalman]

Video card, I've heard thr graphics on that card are terrible. If you plan on playing any of the next generation of games such as doom3 it would almost be a sin to play it with that one.

[IAIHMB]

Wow, I didn't expect so many responses so soon, thanks guys.

The video card seems halfway decent; are you experiencing slowdown? If not, I'd scratch that off the list unless you just have to have the latest and greatest.

My PC can only handle Far Cry on the lowest settings.

Sound cards can be upgraded, but it's a matter of preference. Is the sound quality unsatisfactory? If so, you might want to check out your speakers as well. You already have 6.1 audio, the next step would be a 7.1 card.

The only time the sound disappoints me is when someone is talking in the background in a game, eg a machine is running while I'm getting instructions. Happens alot in Far Cry and Doom 3.

You might want to look into replacing your CD-ROM with a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. This will save wear and tear on your DVD burner from ripping as well as allowing you to burn CDs much faster than 16x.
~$40 @ Newegg.

Aren't combination drives usually poo compared to regular drives? I do alot of PC game backups, I've been told that certain drives cannot cope with copying well, would a 40$ combo drive be decent?

I'm sure someone will suggest a faster or DL DVD burner. If you're comfortable with 4x (about 15min burn time per disc), stick with it while prices drop and compatibility goes up.

I rarely burn DVDs. I used to use it alot to make backups before reformatting, but now the seccond hard disk more than makes up for that.

Video card, I've heard thr graphics on that card are terrible. If you plan on playing any of the next generation of games such as doom3 it would almost be a sin to play it with that one.

This is what confuses me. I can play Doom 3 on medium settings, but I can only play Far Cry on low settings.

I've also been looking into changing my PC case. Is that usually a hard thing to do?

Thanks again!

[DVD_Ripper]

LCD monitor maybe... It's amazing how fast a machine can become when you format and do a fresh OS install.

[Treebeard]

I would definately get a new video card, the 5200 is crapolla. I dont even see how you can play doom 3 at medium, unless your using a low resolution size. get ati 9800 pro or nvidia 5950.

I would stick w/ a CRT monitor if you plan on gaming. LCD's just dont cut it for gamers.

[thecoalman]

This is what confuses me. I can play Doom 3 on medium settings, but I can only play Far Cry on low settings.

That's probably an issue with the game. ID has a lot of experience with 3-d. The newer cards will render better even if the settings are the same.

[rallynavvie]

I have two 5200s in the same computer and no problems with them at all. Dunno why everyone gets worked up about them. There are a lot of companies making crap versions of it though, just make sure to get a good brand and they're fine.

Doom 3 is OpenGL and FarCry is DX9/D3D. nVidia has ATi beat for OGL and vice-versa for D3D. This is probably why the graphics are better on one for you.

A good SB sound card is a must these days for gaming. Almost every good game takes advantage of EAX.

[Treebeard]

This is why 5200's get mocked, check out the charts. Its a proven loser to older cards. My Ti4200 beats the snot out of it.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/vga-charts-05.html

[rallynavvie]

But your 4200 isn't DX9 native, it's a DX8 card. I understand this all, my 4400 is still a workhorse of a card (not to mention I can sell it for more than a new 5200) but the 5200 isn't all that bad. And I wouldn't take everything on THG as gospel, especially some of their video card reviews. Also keep in mind that nVidia is constantly updating drivers.

[IAIHMB]

After a bit of looking it seems video cards go from $50-$250 then they jump to $350-$500. How are chain stores for these types of things (ie Best Buy, Circuit City, and Comp USA?) At Best Buy they have a

ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR AGP Graphics Card

For $250, is that a decent price, or are they trying to molester me again? I've also been hearing alot about different people making the same cards, does it really matter that much? If I were to buy from a chain store would I be able to tell where its from by looking on the box?

I kinda want to know what I am looking for before I go in, the people around here aren't the brightest. I went looking for a SVCD player and it took the whole Best Buy team to tell me that they didn't sell Walkmans .

[rallynavvie]

They probably were thinking SACD players. Nobody carries SVCD players that don't also play DVDs in the US :P

Look into the ATi X600 when it comes out or the nVidia 6800. If you want great get the X800XT or the 6800 Ultra. The lesser should be around $300, the greater about $500. Personally for the money I'd lean toward a 6800 Ultra since I've had good experiences with PNY nVidia cards.

Don't buy from local retailers, watch for deals on NewEgg. They're one of the best online retailers of computer parts, most of my two SMP systems are built on parts from them. Sometimes it's easier to buy direct from the manufacturer if they offer it.

[IAIHMB]

I guess I should have added part one of the story. :P When I was a newbie to encoding I said to hell with it and wanted to get a DivX player. I asked them if they had any in stock, and the guy said the only ones he had heard of were disposable and came from 7-11. :P I have lost all faith in them people. Thanks for the advice.

[IAIHMB]

Hrm, I just did some looking and the first card appears to be out. Any idea why the prices are so different?

http://www.newegg.com/app/SearchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0

Well, I look at the ATI Radeon Pro 9800. There are so many different versions, so I sorted by popularity, and this came up:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=0

Would this be a good card, will it handle all of the games to come within say a year at medium-high settings? Are they hard to install, should I by anything with the card (say, a fan?) Are there any cards better than this that are only slightly more costly? So confused, I just dont want to mess up.

[IAIHMB]

Well guys, I decided to hold off on the case for a couple of weeks, thanks for all of the help though. Now I have one final question, would this card be noticably better than the one I just posted:

ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL

I realise there is double the RAM, but I'm assuming a 450W PSU will still handle it. One day I will learn this stuff, and I'll quit bugging you guys. Until then, well, thanks alot!

[thecoalman]

More RAM is always better, I had a 9800 128. I replaced it with a Nvidiad 5950 256. Rendering time for 3-d animations were vastly improved.

The system requirements listed on the link state:

"RADEON™ 9800 Series of products requires connection to your PC's internal power supply for operation. Consult your system builder or OEM to ensure your system has an adequate power supply. Otherwise, ATI recommends a 300-Watt power supply or greater to ensure normal system operation where a number of other internal devices are installed. "

Guess your in the clear with the power supply. That is probably adequate for even the new cards, I'm not sure I forget if it was 420w or 480w that I was reading somewhere.

[SIRCOOKS]

check this out for an upgrade
case:-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44943&item=3497133166&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

video card:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-134-108&depa=1

along with your two sticks of ram and a prescott core 3.0 ghz processor, you will have no worries, ive tried and succedded, now i can encode my 2hour movies in an hour and a half tops, sometimes quicker....this board thouhg not well known is really great..i recomend...

[rallynavvie]

All that on a 300w supply? Ouch

[SIRCOOKS]

its 450w, i had one at home from my old comp
i just upgraded it

[IAIHMB]

OK guys this should be the last post before I order. I plan on ordering this video card:

ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL

and this power supply:

Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply

Now I have my last few questions. How can tell how hot my system is running, I have Sandra but it gives me temperatures in like 8 different spots. With the new video card and power supply will I need another fan, or should I take any precautions to keep my system running cool? Any other random tips? Thanks again for taking the time to deal with me, I believe the hell is over, for now. :P

[rallynavvie]

Motherboard Monitor is another good monitoring program, but you just need to keep an eye on internal temps vs ambient/intake temps so you know how well your thermal management is working. The video card has its own HSF so you can keep an eye on its temps as well.

For the money I'd recommend waiting for the X600 card to come out since that will be a better card than the 9800 Pro. The 9800 Pro will still last at least a year as a solid performer though.

[IAIHMB]

Hrm, I searched at NewEgg and there are 3 results for a x600:

http://www.newegg.com/app/SearchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0

Is that it, or are you talking about a card from NVIDIA?

[ViRaL1]

Look here...

http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx600/index.html

Also...X800

http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx800/index.html

X800 cards are out, but they're pretty expensive ATM.

[IAIHMB]

I'm looking at NewEgg and there are some X600s out. The specifications seem to be worse than the 9800 Pro also. Am I just stupid or are those just like pre releases?

Also, I looked all over ATI, is there a guesstimate as to when those cards will be out, and a approximate price? 266$ is really as high as I want to go.

[rallynavvie]

Specs may look worse (lower clock/mem speeds) but benches are similar to better. X600 also has the newer instructions and engines onboard which the 9800 won't have. Basically it's the entry-level card to the latest gen ATi GPUs.

[IAIHMB]

Is there a reason why the X600 is cheaper, and is the one at newegg the one you guys are talking about? Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it.

Oh yah, X600 or 9800 Pro with 256MB?

[IAIHMB]

I'm looking and the card is a PCI Express, were does that plug in to? Sorry for the stupid question. I have a HP Pavilion a450n if it matters.

[IAIHMB]

Sorry about the tripple post. 3 PCI slots, with 2 free, is that where one of those x600s would go?