Upgrading - hardware list

LandyMan

LandyMan

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Hi all,

Maybe the title of my other thread is the reason for not getting the responses I was hoping for. I am looking at buying some new hardware, but can only fit a specific list of goodies into the ShuttleXPC.

Please have a look here, as I need some help (I'm a bit dof with desktop hardware of late) ;)
 
Well, I think you should try find the fastest CPU (3.06), most ram, and best GPU as possible, if you're going to stick with it..
 
MrE said:
Well, I think you should try find the fastest CPU (3.06), most ram, and best GPU as possible, if you're going to stick with it..
Click to expand...
Yes, that is what I am planning ... but my knowledge of graphics cards is quite limited (result of using notebooks for the last 8 or so years).

So let's rephrase ... from that list, which graphics card do you guys think I should get?
 
LandyMan: do you already have the XPC? Caus to tell you the truth, it is running some old tech.

The mobo is for DDR, and it is also going to be quite a problem to get chip's for socket 478.

In terms of graphics, all depends on how much power you need: are you going to be playing games or not? If yes then go with something like the MSI GF6800GT, whick is the most powerful card in that list. Once again, there might be some issues finding a 6800GT in AGP as S478 boards dont support PCIe, but that list is far from complete.

Another option would be to get the ATI AIW9800 which is equally powerful as the 6800 (roughly) but the card also has a TV tuner all all those goodies. Dont know if you need that...
 
Hi mic_y,

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I bought the XPC about 4 years ago, just as it became available here in SA.

You are quite right, I am going to struggle my @ss loose to find the components (had a quick look at a Rectron pricelist). Up to now it has been used as print server at home, and a bit of gaming, but nothing hectic. I am keen on playing a few games again (BF2 for starters) so I have to keep that in mind.

I will have a look at your suggestions, thanks.
 
LandyMan said:
Hi mic_y,

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I bought the XPC about 4 years ago, just as it became available here in SA.

You are quite right, I am going to struggle my @ss loose to find the components (had a quick look at a Rectron pricelist). Up to now it has been used as print server at home, and a bit of gaming, but nothing hectic. I am keen on playing a few games again (BF2 for starters) so I have to keep that in mind.

I will have a look at your suggestions, thanks.
Click to expand...


hey land loper so hier kruip jy weg.....sê my hoeveel geld kan jy spandeer????
 
The Big Firefly said:
hey land loper so hier kruip jy weg.....sê my hoeveel geld kan jy spandeer????
Click to expand...
Ja hier is ek ou maatjie. Ek wil nie rerig baie geld spandeer nie, siende dat dit 'n print server is meeste van die tyd, en so af en toe 'n paar speletjies. So om eerlik te wees weet ek nie hoeveel ek wil spandeer nie :)
 
killadoob said:
dude a buy a whole new pc is my advice

what is your machines specs now?
Click to expand...
Specs:

ShuttleXPC FB51G (SFF)
CPU: Pentium 4 2.4Ghz
Memory: 512mb Transcend DDR333
Aopen CD-RW
I think a 100Gb HDD (not sure)
NVidia GeForce4 MX440SE 64Mb (AGP4)
VGA Onboard: Intel 845GE, performance 256-bit 3D engine
Audio: AC ’97
 
wel nuwe games vat graphics so dis goed om GOED op te gradeer...dan hou die rekenaar nog so 3 jaar....so kyk hoeveel jy wil spandeer dan lat my weet...:D
 
so jy kort nog n 512 ram
en n 256 kaart.....

meskien n nuwe motherboard ook want agp4x is maar bra sleg....al koop jy a 6800gt of iets gan die kaart nie tot vol hardloop nie omdat die kaart agp8x is...so n nuwe motherboard sal dalk ok goed wees....en ek dink die board wat jy het het usb1 wat as jy gaan print dit sadiger is as jy n usb printer gebruik was usb2 gebruik...

as jy n ander board gaan koop dan kry pci-e. die kaarte is ook goedkooper in pci-e.....
 
Minimum spec for a new gaming machine should be :
P4 3.0Ghz 930 dual core HT 2Mb L2 cache per core (Socket775)
1Gb RAM (prefibly 2Gb) DDR2-667
200Gb SATA2 or bigger
Nvidia 6600GT or bigger

Will set you back in the region of R8000 without a screen.

Some online retailers to compare prices:
http://www.sybaritic.co.za
http://www.dotcomputers.co.za (their site is currently down)
 
spiderz said:
Minimum spec for a new gaming machine should be :
P4 3.0Ghz 930 dual core HT 2Mb L2 cache per core (Socket775)
1Gb RAM (prefibly 2Gb) DDR2-667
200Gb SATA2 or bigger
Nvidia 6600GT or bigger

Will set you back in the region of R8000 without a screen.

Some online retailers to compare prices:
http://www.sybaritic.co.za
http://www.dotcomputers.co.za (their site is currently down)
Click to expand...

you crazy mate......R8000....?

R5000 without a screen is more like it.....

he just needs it for BF2 not oblivian on full graphics....R8000 is a lot of money and P4 daul core...most game dont even use daul core....an dAMD is better at this stage...:D
 
dotcomputers?Have you heard how much they put customers through???
I would not recommend dotcomputers.
 
How can you run a online shop if the website stays off anyway? It says 1 June...IS now the 9 June and its still down!:confused:
 
The Big Firefly said:
you crazy mate......R8000....?

R5000 without a screen is more like it.....

he just needs it for BF2 not oblivian on full graphics....R8000 is a lot of money and P4 daul core...most game dont even use daul core....an dAMD is better at this stage...:D
Click to expand...

I agree

Go for an AMD socket 939 single core now. The prices has just been slashed (50% drop on the single core 3800). With the AMD at least you will be able to upgrade to dual core for the next year or so, and use your exising RAM (just add some more)

If you are looking for a longer upgrade path go for the single Core 3500/3800, but in a AM2 socket chip. They are more expensive (as you will need to buy DDR2 ram), but you will be able to upgrade your CPU for at least the next 2-3 years to dual core or even Quad Core.

I did the same about 2 years back. I bought a Socket 939 moterboard when everyone told me it was slower and more expensive than socket 754. Recently I only had to buy a new Dual Core CPU and graphics and TADA! my PC is bang up to date again on a 2 year old board (R1500 well spent).

With Intel you have little or no upgrade path. Intel loves to change the motherboard chipsets so often. and the noise from the intel dual core fan will drive you nuts. Stick with the cooler Athlon X2. Conroe ,Intel nex gen CPU, is still a few months off and will take a while before they will become affordable.
 
Last edited:
Your graphics needs more guts

LandyMan said:
What do you guys think of this Graphics Card? It will actually work in my Shuttle:

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=74_75&products_id=6675
Click to expand...

It's gonna work in the shuttle but not for the games. The performance of the 5200 is pathetic. If you are on a budget (I guessing you are) look for a GeForce 6200.

It's avaiable for AGP and has more than tripple the grunt of the 5200
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=74_75&products_id=9204

If you can afford it a 6600GT would be my pick as a low mid range card.
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=74_75&products_id=9207

Don't worry if these cards are not listed by shuttle. There motherboards are built on standard desktop chipsets and should not have any problem running these cards.
 
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