Worth upgrading?

[Brawler]

I have an older computer in the lounge connected to my LCD TV.

Would like to play a game or 2 on it. Wondering if I upgrade the graphics card will the cpu hold it back too much? could possibly upgrade the cpu/mb early next year.

Specs:
AMD 3800X2 dual core 2.0Ghz
2 GB Corsair vs
Gigabyte k8n-sli
MSI 8600GT OC 256ddr3

If I upgrade to a 8800gt/9600GT will I see a noticable differance? And what would be a fair price for the 8600GT? R500?(its about 5 months old)

 

[tinman]

I would put in a heavier CPU, like a AMD 6000 dual core. They are cheap now. Then id stick in a 8800gt.

If you were to stick the new graphics card in with the old CPU there would definitely be a noticable difference, but it would still be holding it back

 

[Brawler]

I would put in a heavier CPU, like a AMD 6000 dual core. They are cheap now. Then id stick in a 8800gt.

If you were to stick the new graphics card in with the old CPU there would definitely be a noticable difference, but it would still be holding it back

Its a S939 CPU. So no 6000+'s
It still is a decent enough processor but still...

 

[Nameite]

Overclock it and get a 3850/9600GT

It'll only hold it back if u play cpu intensive games...like those with hectic physics and AI

 

[Chevron]

You will see an improvement. Your cpu will be holding you back, but if you're getting more than 30fps who cares if you can get 50?

I say get a 3870 pre overclocked card from take2 or prophecy, they're like 1500/1600. You could overclock to 2.2Ghz.

Remember that early next year AMD are releasing their K10.5 desktop processors that support ddr2 and 3 and that work in current am2+ boards.

The processors also have 30% more performance than the phenomes clock for clock and are higher clocked too.

Considering you'll be able to use your old ram it's the cheapest option, plus when you go DDR3 you won't have to upgrade your cpu at the same time.

 

[charlie_82]

I would put in a heavier CPU, like a AMD 6000 dual core. They are cheap now. Then id stick in a 8800gt.

If you were to stick the new graphics card in with the old CPU there would definitely be a noticable difference, but it would still be holding it back

Yes and you may wanna upgrade your RAM too...
I noticed a significant increase in game performance when I upgraded my 2GB ram (also running at 8800gt)

 

[Brawler]

Anyone have a 3870? going really cheap here:
http://www.prophecy.co.za/force3d-hd3870-512mb-p-29583.html

 

[Chevron]

Anyone have a 3870? going really cheap here:
http://www.prophecy.co.za/force3d-hd3870-512mb-p-29583.html

That's a DAMN good price.

 

[charlie_82]

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/...2008/3DMark06-v1-0-2-HDR-SM3-0-Score,538.html

If you have a look at the benchmarks here, the 3870 is quite a bit better than the 8600gt you currently have. It's pretty much on par with the 9600gt which is slightly more expensive

 

[Nameite]

That's a DAMN good price.

Only thing is thats the DDR3 version...the gecube they have on there is a better option. GDDR4

 

[CrzWaco]

Only thing is thats the DDR3 version...the gecube they have on there is a better option. GDDR4

I am buying a Gecube but there out of stock
Will tell u how it performs when I get it hehe

 

[Chevron]

Only thing is thats the DDR3 version...the gecube they have on there is a better option. GDDR4

Not really actually. As long as it's not ddr2 on the card it's cool.

 

[GreatBigMouth]

Regarding your original post, the 3800+ will definitely hold you back. I had one and later upgraded to a 6000+. It made the world's difference - probably about 20 - 25 fps extra on certain games.

You could overclock it to 2.4Ghz with decent cooling though.