New CPU or new GPU?

alex_mit · Nov 4, 2007, 08:16 AM

Hello everybody.

My PC is far from the modern ones:
Athlon Thoroughbred 1800+ @ 1.85GHz
768MB DDR400
GeForceFX 5200 128MB 64Bit

It worked for me great in games untill last 1-2 months. The newest games are unplayable, even my favourite NFS. And because of Pro Street I decided to make a little upgrade, but I don't know what to do because I have to choose between a new cpu (C2 DUO E2140/60 probably) with a motherboard ASROCK 4COREDUAL-SATA2 (thus I would use my ram and video) and new videocard like x2600XT DDR3 for AGP.
i want to play games but maybe x2600 is too strong for my Athlon!?

What would you advise me?

***temeteus82*** · Nov 4, 2007, 08:27 AM

I would say that you need new CPU and GPU and RAM to be able play NFS. So it's not small upgrade. Because both your current CPU and GPU are really old and out of date. So if you just upgrade to Core 2 Duo then the GPU would be huge bottleneck and and vice versa. So there is no easy way to you to get those games running well.

Partizan · Nov 4, 2007, 08:48 AM

For newest games, you will have to buy a new computer:

1. CPU:
Go for a cheap Core2Duo like E2160 (which is a great overclocker)

2. Motherboard:
P35 chipset: Abit IP35-e is a good affordable motherboard

3. Memory:
Get yourself some 2x1Gb Crucial 667 memory with Micron D9GMH chips, real cheap and overclocks like hell.

4. Graphic card:
Bestbuy or musthave at this moment is a nVidia 8800GT.

5. PSU
Don't forget a solid 550W PSU. LC power 6550G v2.0 is more than enough.

I know it's a big upgrade, but if you want to play the latest games, you'll have to do it.

alex_mit · Nov 4, 2007, 09:02 AM

ok guys. I know my pc is for the museum, but I wondered if I could give it vital power for one more year

I'm not sure if I will be able to do it but If I could get now C2 DUO E2140/60 with MB with integrated x1250 graphics and new ram (1GB ddr2), and eventually get a low to middle class dx10 video (100-120$) after Christmas, would it be enough for NFS and the other games?
(Of course I am not thinking to play on ultra high settings on 1600x1200

))

***temeteus82*** · Nov 4, 2007, 09:44 AM

That sounds good

alex_mit · Nov 4, 2007, 10:45 AM

Ok, so that will be. Thanks for the advises!

alex_mit · Nov 4, 2007, 06:23 PM

I forgot something.
When will be MBs with PCIe 2.0 (cheaper ones) and video cards on the market, and is it woth buying a PCIe 1.1 one now? As I know PCIe 2.0 cards will not be compatible with the old MBs...

***temeteus82*** · Nov 4, 2007, 06:29 PM

as far as I know there isn't much difference in PCI-E 1.1 and 2.0 only the number of the lanes that can be used is increased to have dual X16 slots

alex_mit · Nov 4, 2007, 06:33 PM

So it an advantage only for SLI/Crossfire and doesn't matter for a single card?

***temeteus82*** · Nov 4, 2007, 07:01 PM

correct

dipstick · Nov 4, 2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex_mit

I forgot something.
When will be MBs with PCIe 2.0 (cheaper ones) and video cards on the market, and is it woth buying a PCIe 1.1 one now? As I know PCIe 2.0 cards will not be compatible with the old MBs...

PCI 1.0/1.1/2.0 are all compatible and can be used with any pcie board. 8800GT's (and new 2x00 ATI cards I think) are pcie 2.0 and you can use them on any older non 2.0 pcie mobo

The major differences I see with the 2.0 spec is double the bandwidth (5Gbps vs 2.5) and double the power (150w vs 75) while maintaining the same 16 lanes as previous revisions. Not a big deal imho unless you are going to be running the absolute most high end next gen cards.
As for what to upgrade first, I'd have to say the cpu/mobo/mem would be my first choice as it would benefit the most in everything you use your PC for and not just gaming like a video card would.