$200 Gaming Comp. Upgrade Help

Dracknem · Jul 8, 2003

I am currently running games such as Battlefield 1942, War III, CS, and hopefully UT 2003 soon. I am going to be getting a $200 upgrade sometime this summer, or at least before X-mas and I was looking for input on what I should upgrade.

-Athlon 1800+ T-bred A with Thermalright SK-6+
-256mb Crucial PC-2700 RAM
-MSI Ti-4200 8x with 128 mb RAM
-MSI KT3 Ultra 2 Mobo (Can run up to 2400+ or 2600+, I forget which)

I'm probably going to get another stick of 256mb first, but I was wondering what else I should get. I haven't OC'd my computer yet, but I probably will push the chip up a little soon, what do you guys think would be a fair distance or temp. I shouldn't go above? I have 5 fans.

I just want opinions on what would make this PC better for running the above-said games and hopefully Half-Life 2 and Doom III.

AmigoThree · Jul 8, 2003

Yea definatly go with the ram. The next I would probably say processor because with the money you would have left after the ram there wouldnt be a video card worth buying that you would see a huge performance change with.

Dracknem · Jul 8, 2003

True, but I might not include the RAM into the $200 limit I have, I need to see how many jobs I get. Maybe I'll see what I can clock the chip to without getting it too hot.

Oni · Jul 8, 2003

What kind of system do you have now? That might help us out

Dracknem · Jul 8, 2003

Well, the main components I listed in my specs above. I also have a built-in sound card, 60GB WD 7200 RPM Drive, and........a Chieftec Dragon Case.

Umm, yeah I think I listed the current system above. Maybe you misread?

Oh, and I just touched the multi up .5x to make the chip run at 1900+ speeds, but my temp is already 37 C. Does this seem high? Should I rearrange my fans? Reapply thermal grease?

AmigoThree · Jul 8, 2003

You have plenty of room to OC. But you want to be going by full load temp when you measure temps after OCing.

A soundcard wouldnt be a bad idea. It will take some load off your CPU and sometimes you can also get a few games thrown in with it.

Dracknem · Jul 8, 2003

Well, that temp. was after playing Battlefield for over an hour.

Lord09 · Jul 9, 2003

Definately get the ram, I think another 256 will make a huge difference. Other than that your video card is fine for the games you play currently. You might wanna invest into some better cooling for overclocking.

Good luck...

funnyperson1 · Jul 9, 2003

your video card is fine as is your cpu after oc, i think just a bit more ram would be required

Dracknem · Jul 9, 2003

Ok thanks. So does anyone have any advice as to what I should try for an OC? Should I push FSB up a little or multi? I'm currently at 133x11.5 I think.

Sorry this has gone a little off the game topic........

But War III Rocks!

anvil82 · Jul 10, 2003

If you could sell your video card, I would get a Radeon 9700, or 9700 pro. That would give you the biggest improvement for the money. Especially for games.

Lord09 · Jul 10, 2003

Just experiment. Push the FSB as far as your RAM will take you, then do the multiplier...

OC Noob · Jul 10, 2003

funnyperson1 said:
your video card is fine as is your cpu after oc, i think just a bit more ram would be required

I was thinking the same thing. Overclock what you have and see what you can get. What is the chipset on that mobo and is it a good overclcoker?

If not upgrade that to a nice nForce2 board, which will also give you very nice sound too. Then again you may want to get the ram now and then upgrade to an Athelon64 CPU & mobo. It will probably be out when you get the cash.

I really like your system. Get more ram and overclock what you have (if your board is a decent o/cer) and you'll be sitting pretty. You could always sell the Ti4200 and buy a better card, but with an overclock your system will be very well balanced.

thalzaar24 · Jul 10, 2003

personally, i would recommend buying more ram. maybe buy a 512 stick if you can afford it. I don't really like to mix and match ram if possible, so if you know what type of memory you have, either buy 256 or 512 more, depending on your budget. O/C your computer won't make that huge of an impact that more memory can provide, imo.

TUK101 · Jul 11, 2003

Since you will be OC'ing the cpu I would invest in a bit better hsf. An SLK-800 and a 50cfm fan will run you around $35-$40. That should help you maintain reasonable temps if you do a bit of overvolting. Other than that, with the $200 you say that you will have to spend the ram would be a wise choice. Try to spring for a PC2700 or better 512mb stick if you can. If you cant get much of an OC then a Barton XP2500 should be within your budget. And by X-mas a 9700 might just be within your budget as well if you are able to scratch up a bit more dough.

Mystic77 · Jul 11, 2003

Definately upgrade the ram. As far as the video card, i've heard you can flash the bios on a radon 9500 to preform close to a 9700 pro. I just got mine and haven't tried it yet. That will save you a good 70 more for ram plus any you can get for selling the card you have

$200 Gaming Comp. Upgrade Help

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