[Bahlzeron]

My current machine is a P4 2.4 on a Biostar P4M80-M4, 1.5 g ram, and a GeForce 6200 256M 64 bit AGP vid. card. The video card is, well, rather lacking in performance (some areas in NWN2: MOTB I get between 8 and 15 FPS at lowest settings,of course I'm also pushing 1680x1050 lol). Newegg has a socket 478 mobo with PCI x16, P4M900M4 for bout $55. at which point I'd need new memory, and of course video card. I'm working with a TIGHT budget so I cant spend anymore than 180~190 after shipping on all three components... basically looking for the biggest bang for my buck on memory and video card, any suggestions? preferably through Newegg and GeForce card, and 2gigs of mem.


I'll be running XP home on it if that makes any difference..lol

Edited by Bahlzeron, 06 January 2008 - 08:49 AM.

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I did a bit of research.. and got a parts list together.. the memory is the only thing I'm sort of unsure about.. dunno if that mobo will run dual channel er not. but here's the list.. please let me know if something needs to be changed..ty.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138079 - mobo


http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820141211 - memory


http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125065 - video card.

Edited by Bahlzeron, 06 January 2008 - 02:11 PM.

[Bahlzeron]

I did a bit of research.. and got a parts list together.. the memory is the only thing I'm sort of unsure about.. dunno if that mobo will run dual channel er not. but here's the list.. please let me know if something needs to be changed..ty.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138079 - mobo


http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820141211 - memory


http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125065 - video card.

Edited by Bahlzeron, 06 January 2008 - 02:11 PM.

[james_8970]

Do you know what socket type your CPU is?
I'd advise you to wait on this purchase, you'll see very small gains for this upgrade.
James

[Bahlzeron]

It's a socket 478... yes I know the gains arent goin to be huge.. but I dont exactly have the money to be building a nice shiny new dual/ quad core system, so I have to make due with what I have.

[james_8970]

You'd be better of investing into a single GPU for your current system.
James

[james_8970]

My suggestion would be to purchase this card.
It'd come to $150 after rebate and before shipping.

Do you know anything about you PSU?
If not, can you tell me how many Amps are on the 12V rail and what the peak output of your PSU is.
This information can be found on the stick located on the side of your PSU.
James

Edited by james_8970, 06 January 2008 - 08:34 PM.

[Bahlzeron]

My PSU is an Antec Smartpower 500 watt, its got 2 12v rails.. rail one is 17 amps, and rail two is 19 amps. http://www.antec.com...hp?ProdID=26500


Just changing the card is a MUCH easier fix... the "oooohhh shiny" syndrome kicked in and I started making things more complicated than what was necessary.

TY for you opinion, my PSU should be able to handle the draw that thing will take..will it?

Edited by Bahlzeron, 07 January 2008 - 06:19 AM.

[james_8970]

Yes, that PSU should suffice.
James

[Bahlzeron]

sweet thanx alot James.

[james_8970]

Not a problem, glade I could help.
James

[Thebinaryman]

if i were you i would buy a video card like a 7800gs that are still available in agp, and rock that for a while until you can afford a new system. thats what i did. my skt478 p4 system with the 7800gs is still fast enough to play UT3 on highest quality.

[james_8970]

That's what he's already doing, except he is buying a 7900GS
James

[Bahlzeron]

though I do have a question.... (I'm tryin to figure the benefits of either route) for the price of the card (which is a really killer card) I can get the mobo, memory (which is DDR2 VS my current DDR), and vidoe card that's PCIx16 which performs better than AGP ever will. Doing just the card is the easier route.. but which will have the better benefits in the long run? I'm also thinking bout lookin into a dual core barebones kit er something maybe (still on same budget..lol, probably be ordering tomorrow.. or next couple days) This stupid P4M80-M4 is tickin me off too.. only one mem slot is registering/working.. no difference in performance whne I remove my 512 stick.. (leaving only the 1g stick) tried multiple sticks and/or cinfigurations, tried to flash BIOS and this retard board refuses to, I'm stumped.

Edited by Bahlzeron, 09 January 2008 - 07:18 PM.

[james_8970]

Since you have a socket 478 CPU, no matter what you buy now your going to have to toss during your next upgrade (excluding the DDR2 memory).
The gains are much higher if you bought the video card. Do you know the peak wattage of your PSU?
James

[Bahlzeron]

My PSU is an Antec Smartpower 500 watt, its got 2 12v rails.. rail one is 17 amps, and rail two is 19 amps. http://www.antec.com...hp?ProdID=26500