Need some tech help

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AutoEuphoria

Experienced Member
Joined
31 October 2004
Messages
404
Location
Midland, MI
Well, I'm trying to figure out some computer upgrades I need pretty badly...well, OK...I don't NEED them, but I want them. I'm looking to upgrade AT LEAST my video card, and possibly my PSU and motherboard, too (trying to keep the processor I have now because I think it works fine - it's a 2.5 GHz Pentium 4). This will be mostly for photo editing, watching video and some video editing, school work, and games. I was really big into online PC games a few years ago, but then all the games went a step beyond what my computer could run, so I've been out of the loop for a little bit. I'm asking for some advice on products.

Right now, as far as video cards go, I was looking at the Geforce 6800 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card or the Radeon X800 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card. Anyone have any experience with either of these? Can you recommend one over the other?

I also currently have a Shuttle AS45 mainboard, and it came with the system when I bought it. I have no idea if it's good or bad LOL. My main concern is if it will work with the new video card. I have an nVidia GeForce TI4600 installed right now, but I'm not sure if it will still be OK for whatever new card I get. I'd really rather not changing this if I don't have to, but if I do...it's not a big deal. If I do need to upgrade the mainboard, PLEASE give me a suggestion as to what I should get. I will be running a CD/DVD drive, CD-RW drive, need firewire, at least 4 USB ports, a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card, and probably at least 1GB of memory. I would also like the mainboard to have PCI-E capabilities, and cost under $200 if possible.

So, any help would be greatly appreicated.
 
I've been building high-end PCs for about 8 years now, most recently for HD video editing, 2d compositing, and 3d modeling\rendering.

Your motherboard does NOT have PCI-X support, so you'll definitely be needing a new one if you want either of those cards. I don't know particulars about either of the cards you mentioned, but I've always preferred ATIs offerings.

I'd suggest looking at Abit for motherboards, and one of the AMD Athlon 64 chips as a CPU. For memory, I've had GREAT luck with Corsair XMS - one of my systems right now is running 4gb of DDR400 with a FSB of 150mhz, amazingly stable stuff.

Oh, and if you're planning on doing extensive Photoshop and\or video work, at least 2gb of RAM should be your minimum. My primary PC has 4gb, and my G5 has 8gb.
 
Few months ago I bought the Intel Mobo D915PGN with PCI-E, with 3.0Ghz P4, and E-Geforce 6800 256mb vid card. Paid a lil over $500 for those and it came with free 512mb of memory. There are probably better deals out now. I've been happy with it so far playing the higher end games.
 
Not "needing" an upgrade is no excuse not to upgrade. :D

How much RAM do you have? I would upgrade that first, as this helps with overall performance. If you haven't got 1GB RAM, that's a cheap upgrade. If you're serious about video editing, you want more.

As for video cards... like <B>nchopp</B> points out PCI-E is not an option for you: only AGP will work for you. There are still some great options out there though. If you want a wise price/performance upgrade get an nVidia 6600GT video card. If you want more on the performance side, there's a new nVidia 6800GS. But note a new video card will only boost gaming.

I'd think twice before upgrading your CPU. That means you basically need a new system: new CPU, mainboard, RAM, video card... and for what you're doing, stepping up only a few hundred MHz may not be worth the cash. The only benefit would be from Hyperthreading or dualcore... but again, it's a lot of money for not much improvement.


If you're upgrading for upgrading sake, <B>can I suggest a new monitor.</B> Large LCD monitors are quite cheap, or if you have some extra money go for a widescreen LCD. Widescreen LCD's are totally MAD!!! :D You'll get the enjoyment out of a new monitor all the time - even when the screen is turned off. ;)

Hope this helps; let us know what you go with.
 
That helped a ton, and thanks for the suggestions. I will look into the video cards you suggested and just start saving up for a total overhaul in the next few years. An LCD screen with a new video card will work just fine for now I think...I just want to be able to run my copy of BF2!
 
AutoEuphoria said:
The GeForce 6800GT is in my price range, but what company is better?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1067909574&Subcategory=48&description=&srchInDesc=&minPrice=&maxPrice=&ATTR2=&ATTR3=2010380048+1067909574&ATTR4=&ATTR5=&ATTR6=&ATTR8=&ATTR9=&ATTR10=&ATTR11=&ATTR12=&ATTR14=&ATTR15=&ATTR16=&ATTR17=&ATTR18=

there are 4 types there...one is out of my price range (the $500 one), the others are OK as far as price goes. Which would be the better card overall? I'm not good at reading specs unfortunately :(
Click to expand...

First. Does your Motherboard support PCI-Express x16 or AGP? Those cards are all for PCI-Express.
 
AutoEuphoria said:
Well, I don't think it does PCI-E. I guess I'll have to look around again

EDIT: I searched for the wrong thing...looked at 6800GT instead of 6800GS. Here are the ones that would work with AGP:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1067918817+1069609639&Subcategory=48&description=&srchInDesc=&minPrice=&maxPrice=&ATTR2=&ATTR3=&ATTR4=&ATTR6=&ATTR7=&ATTR8=&ATTR10=&ATTR11=

So which (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 on that page) would be the best (price not an issue on those choices)
Click to expand...

My personal preference is eVGA. I've never had a problem with them. I'd say #3.
 
Most nvidia cards copy the nVidia reference board design and even the cooling solution - meaning all cards are the same.


If it were my money, i'd go with the this one:

<B>eVGA 256-A8-N397-TX Geforce 6800GS 256MB GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail</B>

This one comes overclocked out of the box, so you're getting a little more punch without the risk of voiding your warranty trying to overclock it. :D My next choice would be the BFG.

because all the cards are pretty much the same, another factor on deciding what the purchase is what free games are bundled with the cards. For example, Leadtek supplied a full version of Splinter Cell Chaos Theory with their 7800 Line. :) I couldn't find anything on eVGA or BFG's software bundle.


Just some sound advice: if you're planning a motherboard upgrade anytime soon, don't upgrade your video card. Buying AGP is not a good long-term investment. But with that said, if I were in your shoes I would probably buy the AGP card because CPU speeds aren't really going anywhere at the moment IMHO.

IMPORTANT: What spec is your power supply. You really need a 350W or higher.

ps. buy a widescreen lcd... you know you want too. :D
 
Yeah, right now I'm looking at the video card, a new monitor (looking for the widescreen LCD in my price range), and a new power supply, Another small ass part I need is that tool to take off the connectors (to sleeve the wires). Know where I can find one of those buggers?

EDIT: man, you would think something like a power supply could at least be easy to understand. What type do I need? LOL (ATX, ATX/BTX, ATX 12V, ATX12V/EPS12V, ATX12V/MicroATX, EPS12V, MicroATX, SFX, SFX12V, or TFX12V) <--WAY too many choices!

Edit 2: Read through the MB manual, says "ATX power supply with 20-pin connector", so that's what I need to look for, right? Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182008

One more Q. For the system requirements for the video card it says at least a 350W power source and "An available 4-pin Molex hard drive power dongle ". Does that just mean a regular 4-pin connector, like something you would hook a fan up to? (could be for the card's fan I suppose). I also found a good 19" monitor (non widescreen) that I like. I opted to go with the non widescreen because the 19" widescreen I found didn't have a high enough resolution (compared to the regular one) and the 20+" widescreens were far outside my price range for now.
 
Last edited:
AutoEuphoria said:
Yeah, right now I'm looking at the video card, a new monitor (looking for the widescreen LCD in my price range), and a new power supply, Another small ass part I need is that tool to take off the connectors (to sleeve the wires). Know where I can find one of those buggers?

EDIT: man, you would think something like a power supply could at least be easy to understand. What type do I need? LOL (ATX, ATX/BTX, ATX 12V, ATX12V/EPS12V, ATX12V/MicroATX, EPS12V, MicroATX, SFX, SFX12V, or TFX12V) <--WAY too many choices!

Edit 2: Read through the MB manual, says "ATX power supply with 20-pin connector", so that's what I need to look for, right? Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182008

One more Q. For the system requirements for the video card it says at least a 350W power source and "An available 4-pin Molex hard drive power dongle ". Does that just mean a regular 4-pin connector, like something you would hook a fan up to? (could be for the card's fan I suppose). I also found a good 19" monitor (non widescreen) that I like. I opted to go with the non widescreen because the 19" widescreen I found didn't have a high enough resolution (compared to the regular one) and the 20+" widescreens were far outside my price range for now.
Click to expand...

On the power supply, you might as well buy the one that has the option of 20 or 24 pin which is how mine came. Incase you need it when you upgrade again. I bought an Allied 500 watt PSU from pcclub.com a while back for like $40 I think, they always have different specials going on.

The connector on mine looks like this.

LPK2-30-500-watt-power-supply-master-2.gif
 

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