New MB/CPU or new GPU?

[Mize]

Just another 'what should I do' thread...

I'm trying to decide where to spend my xmas wishes...
A new mb/cpu *and* a new GPU are out - not worth a divorce.

Sooo...do I upgrade the A7N8X + XP2400+ to a NF3Ultra+A64 3200+ (939 of course)
OR
Replace the 9700 Pro with a 6800GT?

The goal is D3/HL2 capability for the next 6 months.

I'm leaning toward the MB/CPU, but the bummer is either route locks me into AGP for a while longer...

 

[Tim Murray]

Wait and see if nF4/whatever the Via PCI Express chipset is/Radeon whatever the chipset is called is out before Christmas?

 

[Mize]

Wait and see if nF4/whatever the Via PCI Express chipset is/Radeon whatever the chipset is called is out before Christmas?

But then I need BOTH the MB/CPU & new video card (PCIe) = death by wife strangulation.

 

[digitalwanderer]

I'd put off the CPU/mobo upgrade and get the 6800 GT, depending on what speed you run your 2400+ at. (I have a 2400+ too, at 12x200. )

 

[trinibwoy]

But then I need BOTH the MB/CPU & new video card (PCIe) = death by wife strangulation.

Wow you guys really make marriage sound like hell. I could never imagine a woman telling me what to do with my money. Maybe when it comes to buying a house or car - but a video card

 

[Mize]

I'd put off the CPU/mobo upgrade and get the 6800 GT, depending on what speed you run your 2400+ at. (I have a 2400+ too, at 12x200. )

Which mobo you got Dig?
My A7N8X with Corsair 3200 LL won't go above 194 MHz!

 

[digitalwanderer]

I had an Asus K7N2-L I got in a trade, but it wouldn't do over 175FSB so I got an Abit NF7-S rev2 as Hanners and Baron both seemed a bit bonkers over it....


....and I am too now, schweeet mobo!

(Oh, and my 2400+ is actually a 35w mobility Barton with a 7000cu on it....so I'm kind of cheating. )

 

[RussSchultz]

The goal is D3/HL2 capability for the next 6 months.

I've got a 2400+ and a 9800 vanilla; HL2 plays just fine.

 

[Mize]

The goal is D3/HL2 capability for the next 6 months.

I've got a 2400+ and a 9800 vanilla; HL2 plays just fine.

Okay, okay I admit it...I just want to upgrade SOMETHING!
It's been ages since my last upgrade!

I haven't played a game in over a year! My computer is plenty fast enough for everything and HL2 and D3 were just and excuse to upgrade and tweak...I miss tweaking

 

[RussSchultz]

Heh. I know the feeling.

I ended up buying new ram (necessary), but I'm holding off until I absolutely need it to upgrade my processor and/or video card because of the PCI-E thing.

I don't want to buy a new MB without PCIE, and I don't want to buy a new video card without PCIE, but I don't want to buy both right now, either.

 

[Mize]

Heh. I know the feeling.

I ended up buying new ram (necessary), but I'm holding off until I absolutely need it to upgrade my processor and/or video card because of the PCI-E thing.

I don't want to buy a new MB without PCIE, and I don't want to buy a new video card without PCIE, but I don't want to buy both right now, either.

Damned logic!
Add to that the new A64 stepping with SSE3 that's due in January and give NF4 (or x200 etc.) at least a while mature and you're talking Summer before upgrading isn't too risky!

Ahhh! Maybe I'll just get an NF7-2 to hold me over...

 

[Druga Runda]

buy the cheapest S939 mobo and A3200+ ... that way you will upgrade the mobo again when you get the new shiny NV50 or R520 PCI-E...

The extra mobo cost for a year shouldn't be too much, and the difference between platforms is huge in day to day tasks.

So clearly this is what you need, more than PCI-E gfx.

 

[RussSchultz]

Will the new PCI-E athlon MBs use 400Mhz DDR or the new 533Mhz DDR-2?

 

[Mize]

Will the new PCI-E athlon MBs use 400Mhz DDR or the new 533Mhz DDR-2?

AFAIK the NF4 is just NF3-Ultra with PCI-E tacked on. The new ATI chipset and NF4 were both benched over at PC Perspective using DDR...

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=88&type=expert&pid=3

 

[Xenus]

They will use ddr until they make a processor revision that has a memory controller that supports ddr-2. You have to remember that the memory controller is on die in the A64's.

 

[RussSchultz]

Ahhh, right.

Ok, good. The 400mhz ram I just bought is good for a while, then.

 

[Xenus]

Though you may need to change motherboards when it comes out I am not sure wether ddr-2 requires a different slot and for all we know when they suppeort it it may be on a processor with a different amount of pins.

 

[Mize]

But then I need BOTH the MB/CPU & new video card (PCIe) = death by wife strangulation.

Wow you guys really make marriage sound like hell. I could never imagine a woman telling me what to do with my money. Maybe when it comes to buying a house or car - but a video card

Marriage *sound* like hell???

LOL!

I make a LOT of money but somehow there's only money for toys restaurants and new clothes from Victoria's Secret!!

 

[RussSchultz]

I didn't know victorias secret sold toys...

 

[Xenus]

Or restaurants