Re: Gaming Upgrade Advice Needed

Replies inline...

"jaster" <jaster@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:BBXtf.4729$4o7.2554@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 11:42:56 -0800, WaterWatcher thoughtfully wrote:
>
>> Happy New Year all! I'm trying to decide on a budget upgrade path for my
>> computer. Basic computer was: Athlon XP2000 processor, MSI mobo, 2x256mb
>> PC 2100 Kingston ValueRAM, Chaintech 4200ti video card, Seagate 200mb
>> UDMA
>> 100 hard drive, SoundBlaster Live!. For Christmas I was given an MSI
>> 6600GT AGP card and two sticks 512mb Kingston ValueRAM. Testing on Doom
>> 3
>> (demo1 usecache) yields the following results: Before any upgrades: 26.7
>> FPS, after 6600GT install: 34.2, after new autoexec.cfg recommended by
>> Upset Chaps Doom 3 guide: 41.4, after RAM upgrade: 43.9. Game is
>> definitely more playable, but settings are only lowest resolution and
>> medium quality.
>>
>> Next upgrade would be processor and mobo. This time of year cash is
>> short
>> so, looking at the local Fry's specials, I see an ECS 755-A2 mobo with a
>> Sempron 2800+ for only $79. I realize this is the outgoing socket 754
>> and
>> AGP setup, but would this be worthwhile as an upgrade for a year or so?
>> Or, should I hold out for a socket 939 Athlon? Does anyone have any idea
>> what the FPS increase I could expect with either the Sempron 2800 or an
>> Athlon 3200 (939 version), from my current setup?
>>
>
> Tomshardwaregroup mother of all cpu charts
>
> http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/21/the_mother_of_all_cpu_charts_2005/page24.html
>
> Not bad THG says the 754 has trouble above 1g ram.
>
> I recommend the Sempron 3000/3100 because those are 32/64bit
> processors for $89 plus fan and the 2800 was not.
>
> But that is not entirely true as an AMD comparison shows it depends on the
> CPU stepping number
>
> http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/Default.aspx

Ahhh, now I see why it was so cheap! It's the 32 bit only version (BA)
>
> 939 promises bigger bang but cost is your factor, so two questions:
> Is Doom3 playable for you?

Yes, but I also have Quake 4 that I haven't tried yet. I don't know if it
is more demanding or not.

> Will you have another $80 in a month or two?

Yes, probably. I think I will pass on the Fry's deal, though. Thanks for the
excellent references, they
were really helpful.

Ray



.

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