Kaolian (or another tech boi)Follow

I have made some minor changes to my system but it has have a very nice performance increase for both WoW and EQ2.

My main system:
Intel D865GBF mainboard
3.0 GHz P4 w/ HT
2 Gig RAM DDR 400 (upgraded from 1 Gig)
ATI x1600 w/ 512MB (upgraded from ATI 9600XT w/ 128MB)
120 GB SATA HD (eventually I'll get another and Raid them)
SB Audigy 2 Plat.

For under $250 (after tax) I have seen a great performance increase. Granted Im still using an AGP card but to move to a PCI-E I would have had to replace the mainboard, processor and probably the memory as well, and for a lot more money.

/drool Asus, but to get all the components on my new rig, I had to go with Intel. However guess who I will call if I have any issues...

System won't display my last post ~_~

Meant to ask, processor recommendations? I'm not looking to have the PC develop AI and take over the world (though that would be cool), just something that is more current and works well.

A good choice for a new processor is the Intel Core 2 Duo E6400, retailing around $223.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004
It has a relitivly low price point, good performance, Socket 775, and very low heat output compared to some of the single core chips.

Don't let the lower clock speed throw you off. Even though that one clocks in at 2.13 GHZ per core it will outperform a single core 3.4 ghz processor (even one with hyperthreading) by a huge margin.

You have a Fry's electronics near you? In the past, when upgrading processors, I have gotten a good deal on a porcessor/mainboard combo...sometimes its as cheap or cheaper than the proccessor alone. Then I will save some more and upgrade the mainboard I really wanted. Just make sure it has the right memory compatability to match your ideal mainboard. It can get you up and running while you save up to assemble the Ubersystem you were wanting.

Also if you are in the San Francisco area, The Robert Austin Computer Shows at the Cow Palace and Oakland Expo Center have some good deals. Haven't gone to one lately so not sure when the next one will be.

Check the paper for their ad Friday Morning. Fry's runs their sales Fri-Tue.

Edit:
Oh and 1) don't take an open-box item 2) their sales people rarely are knowledgeable so know what you want when you go. Just look at the specs for the things Kao recommended and see if they have anything that comes close.



Edited, Jan 4th 2007 3:36pm by BloodwolfeX

Oh, well theres your problem. Ditch that piece of crap card and get a real video card

One step at a time, Kao. I don't have the $$ to do a full upgrade in one swing
(though I would if I could.):)

First, I do the processor and motherboard (and a new case if the MB doesn't fit into it, which is possible).

Then a new HD, then the vid card, a new monitor, and after that, all that's left is to do some RAM upgrades (it's sitting on 1gb for now).



Edited, Jan 5th 2007 8:38am by Althrun

Then I'll be limited to the on-board video in the interim, which considering that I've not been MMOing recently, I'm not too concerned about it.

$$ says that current on-board video is better than my many years old card anyways. It's all good.




Tbo, it has run EVE, FFXI, WoW, etc, with no problems of slowness on my end, so it's not like I'm clawing my eyes out wishing I had better. I'm a patient person :)

Edited, Jan 5th 2007 10:17am by Althrun

jesus, my system is so ******* outdated. Trying to find a motherboard with DDR333 compatability that would be considered an upgrade to my current MB is impossible. Hell, my current MB has more PCI, AGP, and RAM slots then the ones I found on newegg :P

Ok, so RAM, CPU, and MB get done before I do the rest. This is going to take awhile...

and for $440 (+tax) I can get This, the processor mentioned by Kao, and a stick of 1gb DDR2 667, and not have to upgrade twice :) And by then, maybe they'll be having a RAM sale or something and it'd be less.

I can wait a month or so, there's no rush unless the system utterly fails.

So, once these are out of the way, video card suggestions?

so maybe one of these?

And now for a monitor, to top it all off. (Looking @ $660 pretax with the system itself X_x)