Is it worth upgrading?

Associate
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8 Jul 2006
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5
I currently have had this PC for 2 1/2 years running Hyperthreading and Dual DDR mode.

Intel P4 3ghz 512K cache SK478.
Abit IS7 800FSB DDR400 Memory 8x AGP Mobo.
1gb (2x512mb) Samsung 512 Pc3200 DDR400 Mem.
Hercules 128mb Radeon 9800 Pro.
Sata HD, DVD RW, Case, Power etc etc.

Is it worth putting a new AGP graphics card in or upgrading for about £400-450? Are the Dual core processors really worth it? Or should I just get a faster AMD 64? The 3800 is half the price of the X2 version.

I'm looking to play UT2007 without everything turned off! Any advice?
 
Man of Honour
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Welcome to the forums, it will probably depend at what resolutions you play at but my initial suggestion would be to try it out and see. If the system does all you want it to and plays UT2007 ok then I'd stick with it, no point spending money for nothing.
 
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OP
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I run games in 1024 x 768. I notice for about £200 you can get a 7800GS AGP card, which might transform my struggling machine?

I tried the demo of Darkstar One and was struggling even on low settings.

What is 'conroe'? Do we know if games will support dual core processors? I don't really multi-task so if they don't I can't really see the point?
 
Man of Honour
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Conroe is Intel's new CPU, better, faster than anything they have made before etc etc. In is a great CPU though and at fairly reasonable prices. Games will start to be coded more to take advantage of dual-core CPUs as they become more and more common, they are definitely hitting the mainstream in a fairly big way now.

If the 7800gs is a Gainward one then I'd go for it as it is effectively a 7800gt in AGP format but if it is from another manufacturer then it is about the same as a 6800ultra which you should be able to pick up secondhand for nearer to £120 or thereabouts.
 
Associate
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Hey mate, ive read on other forums that UT2007 will be playable with a 6800 on or near max settings, so i hope this will help you to be able to gauge what you need :)

There engine also enables a large range or scalability for people who dont have high end systems to run the game.

I'm also waiting for that game, dont see any other FPS at the moment that looks any good and intense and appeals to me.
 
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OP
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Cheers guys for the input.

I did spec out a system for £500. Can't remember exact details, but something like:

AMD 64 3800
1gb (2x512mb) DDR 400
Asus mobo
Geforce 7900 GT 256mb.
200gb SATA 2 HD.
Case, Power, DVD Dual Layer RW.

Incidently my PC is starting to get confused on boot and complains about the CPU speed being wrong. So a new PC might be my only option if it's on the way out.

Is it worth getting 512mb for video or will 256 be enough?

I haven't played an FPS on the PC since UT2004. Played that for a good 6 months. Hopefully UT2007 will be longer lasting.
 
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