Comparing to see which is best

RSprinkel · 06-28-2008, 09:43 AM

Hi all,

New here and am seeking the pro's advice.

I want to start updating my hardware to newer stuff as I am having some issues with my old hardware. With the details of the new stuff, would it be best to stick with the current stuff I have now?

My old Hardware specs are:
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe MB
AMP Athlon XP 3200+ Barton
2.21GHz
1GB Ram
Radeon 9800 Series Video Card.

New Stuff I am looking at:
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Dual Core 1.8GHz
2GB Ram
Video Card - Unknown as I am not sure which one to buy.

I am kinda on a tight budget on this so if someone could recommend a good gaming video card to go with the new stuff that would be great.

Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

Ron S.

patriothntr · 06-28-2008, 10:23 AM

What is your budget? and what will you be using the computer for? These are helpful things to know when looking at components...

~P

RSprinkel · 06-28-2008, 11:10 AM

Sorry looking to spend around $350 total on all.

Will be used for gaming, COD4, N2K3, Arca Sim Racin, etc.

patriothntr · 06-28-2008, 01:35 PM

Look at an 8800gs or 9600gt if your budget allows

**Kalim** · 06-29-2008, 08:42 AM

Yep, you would fine a substantial increase in upgrading for those games and in general usage.

For those [modern] games the main thing you need to focus on is GPU which automatically means PSU as well.

Any Intel dual-core will pretty much be enough. My choice would be the 45nm E7200 at $130 because it's far better than the next cheapest decent dual-cores, 65nm E4600 2.4 GHz at $120 and the 65nm E4400 2 GHz at $110, and also newer with less power leakage and higher overclock potential if need be (~4 GHz).

Your gaming will become CPU limited very quickly below 2.2 GHz on the 65nm CPU's. All the testing I've seen and took part in portrayed Intel dual-core 2.2-2.4 GHz is all you need after which you become highly GPU limited even in low resolutions, en masse. Below that the GPU potential starts to be eaten into by the CPU processing power limitation.

I like your mainboard choice, although I have not used the EP35 series from Gigabyte apart from DS4, I did use most of their main and well received P35 boards before the latest ones and the GA-P35-DS3L, GA-P35-DS3P, GA-P35-DS3R were all top notch for most user needs especially after considering the good price. In the same category as the ABIT IP35 Pro.

GPU, your best buy will be around the EVGA 8800 GS for $80 after MIR or the HIS HD 3850 for $90 after MIR. Stock, the latter is better but not by far in raw performance until you reach higher resolutions.

Corsair PC2-6400 2x1GB 4-4-4-12 kit looks good to me at $33 after MIR.

The power draw for these parts won't be much under full load but you may very well need a new PSU. You should sell your old parts to recoup any cash though.

RSprinkel · 06-29-2008, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the help guys.

Kalim, Thanks for all the information. I did make an error on the CPU, it is a Intel Dual Core 2.2GHz so I am safe there.

Again I will look into the video card and hope for the best.

As far as my PSU, I just replaced it 2 weeks ago as the old one went bad on me. I had a 500 now I am running a 520, so hopefully that will be good enough, lol.

Me selling my old stuff, well with the stuff being almost 4 years old, can't see getting much for it but it is a good idea though.

Again thanks for all the help and information, much appreciated.

;)

06-28-2008, 09:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
RSprinkel Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro	Comparing to see which is best Hi all, New here and am seeking the pro's advice. I want to start updating my hardware to newer stuff as I am having some issues with my old hardware. With the details of the new stuff, would it be best to stick with the current stuff I have now? My old Hardware specs are: Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe MB AMP Athlon XP 3200+ Barton 2.21GHz 1GB Ram Radeon 9800 Series Video Card. New Stuff I am looking at: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard Intel Dual Core 1.8GHz 2GB Ram Video Card - Unknown as I am not sure which one to buy. I am kinda on a tight budget on this so if someone could recommend a good gaming video card to go with the new stuff that would be great. Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated. Ron S.

06-28-2008, 10:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: Comparing to see which is best What is your budget? and what will you be using the computer for? These are helpful things to know when looking at components... ~P

06-28-2008, 11:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
RSprinkel Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro	Re: Comparing to see which is best Sorry looking to spend around $350 total on all. Will be used for gaming, COD4, N2K3, Arca Sim Racin, etc.

06-28-2008, 01:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
patriothntr Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 321 OS: XPsp3, PCLOS, other	Re: Comparing to see which is best Look at an 8800gs or 9600gt if your budget allows

06-29-2008, 08:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	Re: Comparing to see which is best Yep, you would fine a substantial increase in upgrading for those games and in general usage. For those [modern] games the main thing you need to focus on is GPU which automatically means PSU as well. Any Intel dual-core will pretty much be enough. My choice would be the 45nm E7200 at $130 because it's far better than the next cheapest decent dual-cores, 65nm E4600 2.4 GHz at $120 and the 65nm E4400 2 GHz at $110, and also newer with less power leakage and higher overclock potential if need be (~4 GHz). Your gaming will become CPU limited very quickly below 2.2 GHz on the 65nm CPU's. All the testing I've seen and took part in portrayed Intel dual-core 2.2-2.4 GHz is all you need after which you become highly GPU limited even in low resolutions, en masse. Below that the GPU potential starts to be eaten into by the CPU processing power limitation. I like your mainboard choice, although I have not used the EP35 series from Gigabyte apart from DS4, I did use most of their main and well received P35 boards before the latest ones and the GA-P35-DS3L, GA-P35-DS3P, GA-P35-DS3R were all top notch for most user needs especially after considering the good price. In the same category as the ABIT IP35 Pro. GPU, your best buy will be around the EVGA 8800 GS for $80 after MIR or the HIS HD 3850 for $90 after MIR. Stock, the latter is better but not by far in raw performance until you reach higher resolutions. Corsair PC2-6400 2x1GB 4-4-4-12 kit looks good to me at $33 after MIR. The power draw for these parts won't be much under full load but you may very well need a new PSU. You should sell your old parts to recoup any cash though.

06-29-2008, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
RSprinkel Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro	Re: Comparing to see which is best Thanks for the help guys. Kalim, Thanks for all the information. I did make an error on the CPU, it is a Intel Dual Core 2.2GHz so I am safe there. Again I will look into the video card and hope for the best. As far as my PSU, I just replaced it 2 weeks ago as the old one went bad on me. I had a 500 now I am running a 520, so hopefully that will be good enough, lol. Me selling my old stuff, well with the stuff being almost 4 years old, can't see getting much for it but it is a good idea though. Again thanks for all the help and information, much appreciated. ;)