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Thread: What should I upgrade?

  1. #1
    Lushious leg end
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    What should I upgrade?

    So what should I get to improve my gaming performance, current spec:

    WIN XP -
    XP2100
    384MB DDR 2100
    GF MX440 (overclocked)

    I'm thinking the biggest impact would be graphics card, ATI 9500Pro say... what do you lot think?

  2. #2
    By-Tor with sticks spikegifted's Avatar
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    RAM
    Caution: Cape does not enable user to fly. - Batman costume warning label (Rolfe, John & Troob, Peter, Monkey Business (Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle), 2000)

  3. #3
    I can't get no sleep
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    I would have thought your graphics card. Might depend on whether you’d just be adding RAM or whether there is potential to use faster RAM. I was recently forced to go down from 512MB to 256MB of RAM in my PC for a few days, and was surprised at the little change in performance. It might help to know what motherboard you’ve got and how overclocked your GF-MX is though.
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  4. #4
    slave of the hypnotoad
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    definately the graphics card, will make miles more difference than anything else, you'll have trouble tracking down a 9500pro now, but a 9600pro is a fine alternative.

  5. #5
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    I would also say a 9600 pro, it would be a world of difference.

    No-Name - The Name That You Can Trust

  6. #6
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    Video card dude

  7. #7
    smells
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    ditch the GF4 MX440, i just sold mine and got a R9700 Pro, best thing i ever did!

  8. #8
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    • Re-Invented's system
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    Ur whole computer but single thing then as every1 says gfx card

    Lee

  9. #9
    Senior Member joshwa's Avatar
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    computer looks completely fine to me.

    only problem is gfx card. i suspect a GF4 ti4200 would double your gfx performance. 384mb is plenty

    josh

  10. #10
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    Yep, XP2100+ is still a mighty fine CPU and more than powerful enough for any game or gfx card. PC2100 is slow compared to modern RAM but with a 266FSB CPU (like XP2100+) there's no need for anythign else and the price you'd pay wouldn't bring that much in returns. As said 384MB is plenty enough and the diffs between 256MB and 512MB aren't overly huge for most home users.

    But GF4MX440 is BAD, even hideously overclocked you're slower than a £50 Rad9000-9200, GF-FX5200 or GF3 which all have DX8+ which is well worth having. A cheap upgrade would be GF4TI4200 pref with 128MB, they're £70ish and worth every penny. If you want a better card Rad9600PRO is it, pure speed isn't much faster but you get full DX9, better speed in the latest games and excellent AA+AF. Depending upon your mobo you could use a TbredB or Barton CPU (unless your XP2100+ is TbredB) as these have a lot of headroom in them. No doubt though, gfx card should be upgraded, a Duron 1ghz can max out a GF4MX (DX7 GF2 based) so your XP deserves more.

  11. #11
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    I'd also try and get 512mb ram - shouldnt cost much with pc2100 (£20 for a 256mb dimm?).

  12. #12
    Lushious leg end
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    My thoughts exactly on the GFX card, its been in my system since new (2 years nearly?) and its heavily overclocked with no added cooling - mem 440mhz, core 324mhz - the poor thing.

    The cpu wasn't really an issue altho I liked the sound of those 2500 that overclock easily to 3000+ + +... however, the 9600Pro is probably my best bet over a cpu even tho its more money.

    XP the memory hog, 512 would be the sweet spot but I can't see it improving performance more then a GFX card or even a bigge CPU to be honest, a 128mb jump isn't that big of a difference these days.

    So a 9600pro it is, anyone got some links to good prices anywhere? I know overclockers do a powercolor or a sapphire for around the £140 mark.

  13. #13
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    ebuyer have a nice tyan card for £117.50 here

  14. #14
    Lushious leg end
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    • Bleek's system
      • CPU:
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    Originally posted by Re-Invented
    Ur whole computer but single thing then as every1 says gfx card

    Lee
    I missed that you cheeky git.

    Epox 8K7A+ is showing here age but she's still alright, been overclocked for 2 years and had no probs so I can't moan really. No extra case fans either (once-upon-a-time there was a plenty!), I'm a naughty boy!

  15. #15
    Lushious leg end
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    • Bleek's system
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    Originally posted by Byatt
    ebuyer have a nice tyan card for £117.50 here
    Oh Tyan, good make at a good price, cheers m8.

  16. #16
    Lushious leg end
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    • Bleek's system
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    I just made the purchase of a Tyan Tachyon.

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