[Count Jackula]

Hello there. I am currently trying to upgrade my computer in the CPU, GPU and RAM department. I am mainly asking about the GPU, so I put it in this forum, but i have questions on the cpu and ram too.

At the moment I have:

ASRock 939S56-M mobo
Athlon64 3200 socket 939 (overclocked)
7300GS 256mb
512mb RAM
Windows XP (i wont be going Vista)

My budget will be around 300 at most probably.

After looking around I've decided 2GB of RAM is a definite buy, my motherboard says it can take DDR400 max, that will be ok right?

Along with that I was thinking of getting an Athlon X2 4200, which I will overclock.

Its the graphics that I'm not so certain on. Originally I was going to get a 8800GT, but after reading around I not sure if thats just a waste of power. My monitor is 1024x756 and I use Windows XP. Maybe a X1950pro instead?

I would really like to be able to play Crysis and such games at a good graphics level and smooth enough to play framerate.

Could someone please point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your time.

[Cattranz]

Hi Count Jackula
If thats what the Asrock web site says about your Motherboard i would tend to believe them concerning your Ram.
Considering your Screen size and Computer build out of the two GPUs you mention personally i would choose the ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/DVI (PCI-Express) as it runs 256MB-256bit 8 channel GDDR3 memory - 1.2GHz, also consumes 60W less than equivalent X1900 XT "it says at AIT".
The 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) running Shader Clock Speed of 1500MHz 512MB GDDR3 Memory running at 1800MHz and DirectX 10. The X1950 Pro will give you a good gaming experience suitable to your Computer and wont cost as much, "this is only my opinion "

[alex]

Originally Posted by Count Jackula Hello there. I am currently trying to upgrade my computer in the CPU, GPU and RAM department. I am mainly asking about the GPU, so I put it in this forum, but i have questions on the cpu and ram too. At the moment I have: ASRock 939S56-M mobo Athlon64 3200 socket 939 (overclocked) 7300GS 256mb 512mb RAM Windows XP (i wont be going Vista) My budget will be around 300 at most probably. After looking around I've decided 2GB of RAM is a definite buy, my motherboard says it can take DDR400 max, that will be ok right? Along with that I was thinking of getting an Athlon X2 4200, which I will overclock. Its the graphics that I'm not so certain on. Originally I was going to get a 8800GT, but after reading around I not sure if thats just a waste of power. My monitor is 1024x756 and I use Windows XP. Maybe a X1950pro instead? I would really like to be able to play Crysis and such games at a good graphics level and smooth enough to play framerate. Could someone please point me in the right direction. Thanks for your time.

Firstly, re the oc'ing, check the bios to ensure it has the options for oc'ing (Vdimm, Vcore etc) live and not greyed out.

As you're not going Vista you won't be DX10 gaming and with your budget I'd recommend going for the X1950. The 8800GT is massive overkill at the resolution you're gaming at.

I'd also recommend a look at the 7900GTX or 7950GT. These can both be had for around £100. Actually, thinking about it, those are both overkill as well, a 7900gs would also do you nicely. (Just giving you options).

The ram is fine, but try and go for CL4 as older AMD cpu's like a low latency.

[Count Jackula]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I know a 8800GT would be overkill, but I'm thinking along the lines of this:

In a few months time, what if a game comes out that I could only run on medium settings with a X1950pro or 7900GT but with a 8800GT it would run on high, would I not be better off buying the overkill just so I have that extra power if I need it? Does that make sense? Im not an expert on graphics cards, I dont know if thats true or not.

[Cattranz]

Hello Count Jackula
As Alex pointed out

As you're not going Vista you won't be DX10 gaming

I would stick with the ATI X1950pro its going to be good for some time and you will notice a difference as soon as you boot with it , Note software is usually trying to catch up with gaming hardware "eg" Graphics Cards.

[Count Jackula]

Ok, so I've been looking around and am very close to buying an X1950pro. But there is still one thing that keeps ticking over in my head, and that is I don't understand why I should'nt just buy an 8600GT. I know you guys say it is overkill, maybe its just my lack of knowledge but is it not more future proof, even if it is overkill am I not better off with it anyway?

Take oblivion for example, as this is a game I will play. Say I get an x1950pro and run it on high settings with 40fps, which would be fine i think. Would I not be better having an 8600GT which would also run it on high (i think) but at 50fps?

I don't know if thats the case or not, as I say I'm not an expert on this, which is why I'm asking you guys :)

Could someone please just clear this up for me.

[alex]

In your most recent post you listed 8600GT as the card, is this a typo? As we were discussing the 8800GT earlier?

By the way, the X1950 (which is basically just a slower clocked XT) is a far better performer in DX9 games than a 8600GT.

[Count Jackula]

No it wasn't a typo. I ruled out the 8800GT and was just trying to decide between a 8600GT and x1950pro.

I will just go with the x1950pro.

Thank you for all your help.