[resolved] Considering an Upgrade. Plz Help!

Cloud_Strife · 04-07-2005, 06:15 PM

Currently my system is an
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1.84Ghz
1024MB DDR RAM
eVGA Geforce FX5500 256MB

and I am thinking about upgrading my video card to a Nvidia 6600GT 128MB DDR3. The problem I have is I know that when upgrading you can have the best vid card in the world, but if u have a 600Mhz Pentium III, it wont run at its full potential. So if I upgrade to the 6600GT 128MB DDR3, would my processor or RAM keep it back from running at its full potential. Also, is the 6600GT a good card, because I only have enough money for that upgrade, and not a processor and vid card. Thanx a lot.

**Sarkast** · 04-07-2005, 06:22 PM

Yes the 6600GTs are probably the "best bang for the buck" right now - under 200$ but very good performance.
It is true that the rest of the system (obviously) determines overall game performance but you obviously dont have a PIII 600Mhz.
Your system specs look like a 6600GT should give you a HUGE performance boost in 3D games -i'd still consider a XP2500+ a good midrange system.
EDIT: Asked for your RAM type but now saw it in your signature - so nevermind. ;-)

I have to add though that going to a 6600GT may require you to replace your power supply unless you are already using a 450W+ unit with at least 20Amps on the +12V rail. These new cards are extremely power demanding.

elf · 04-07-2005, 10:53 PM

I'm running an xp2600+ with 1gb of ram and a 6600gt and I can run any game out right now with decent graphics. I haven't tried hl2 yet because I can't afford it, but everything else runs with full graphics just fine.

p.s. I have used the same PSU for probably close to 3 years now. It came with my case and has had 0 problems...its not even an antec or enermax its a non-name brand. I didn't even need to upgrade it when I got 1gb of ram and a 6600gt...

**waffleweed** · 04-07-2005, 11:54 PM

hey cloud,

the 6600GT is definitely a good card and upgrading your videocard to that will give your system a definitely boost in nitro performance. i have the same cpu as you on an Asus nforce2 motherboard and 512megs of ram, i have the 6800GT and i can play CS source at max settings.

the 6600GT is definitely a good buy in the budget range. check out www.newegg.com for the hottest deals.

Cloud_Strife · 04-08-2005, 09:26 AM

Thanx a lot for your help. Now if I can sell my old card...

lol. Thanx again.

04-07-2005, 06:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cloud_Strife Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 51 OS: XP Pro	Considering an Upgrade. Plz Help! Currently my system is an AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1.84Ghz 1024MB DDR RAM eVGA Geforce FX5500 256MB and I am thinking about upgrading my video card to a Nvidia 6600GT 128MB DDR3. The problem I have is I know that when upgrading you can have the best vid card in the world, but if u have a 600Mhz Pentium III, it wont run at its full potential. So if I upgrade to the 6600GT 128MB DDR3, would my processor or RAM keep it back from running at its full potential. Also, is the 6600GT a good card, because I only have enough money for that upgrade, and not a processor and vid card. Thanx a lot. __________________ AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1.84 GHz eVGA Geforce FX5500 256MB 1024MB PC2100 Samsung DDR RAM 120GB 7200RPM HD

04-07-2005, 06:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	Yes the 6600GTs are probably the "best bang for the buck" right now - under 200$ but very good performance. It is true that the rest of the system (obviously) determines overall game performance but you obviously dont have a PIII 600Mhz. Your system specs look like a 6600GT should give you a HUGE performance boost in 3D games -i'd still consider a XP2500+ a good midrange system. EDIT: Asked for your RAM type but now saw it in your signature - so nevermind. ;-) I have to add though that going to a 6600GT may require you to replace your power supply unless you are already using a 450W+ unit with at least 20Amps on the +12V rail. These new cards are extremely power demanding. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch Last edited by Sarkast; 04-07-2005 at 06:24 PM.

04-07-2005, 10:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,038 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	I'm running an xp2600+ with 1gb of ram and a 6600gt and I can run any game out right now with decent graphics. I haven't tried hl2 yet because I can't afford it, but everything else runs with full graphics just fine. p.s. I have used the same PSU for probably close to 3 years now. It came with my case and has had 0 problems...its not even an antec or enermax its a non-name brand. I didn't even need to upgrade it when I got 1gb of ram and a 6600gt... __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

04-08-2005, 09:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cloud_Strife Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 51 OS: XP Pro	Thanx a lot for your help. Now if I can sell my old card... lol. Thanx again. __________________ AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1.84 GHz eVGA Geforce FX5500 256MB 1024MB PC2100 Samsung DDR RAM 120GB 7200RPM HD

04-07-2005, 11:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
waffleweed Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 629 OS: winxp	hey cloud, the 6600GT is definitely a good card and upgrading your videocard to that will give your system a definitely boost in nitro performance. i have the same cpu as you on an Asus nforce2 motherboard and 512megs of ram, i have the 6800GT and i can play CS source at max settings. the 6600GT is definitely a good buy in the budget range. check out www.newegg.com for the hottest deals.