New mobo or AGP card?

July 11th, 2006, 08:54 PM

Hi guys,

Ok ive been thinking recently which one of the options i should get. I was thinking of getting a new motherboard, but that would require me getting a new cpu and possibly ram? Or should i get a new AGP card? I have a 450W PSU 12V @ 16A i know it's not much.. should i upgrade my PSU and get a new AGP card? or do you think a new mobo supporting PCI-Express, new graphics card, new cpu, new psu?

And what do you guys think of the price differences? i mean i know getting all the new components for the new mobo is probably gonna be expensive, but what is the cheapest and efficient way to approach this?

Sorry for all these questions, it's just been wondering in my head for quite some time..

mainman · July 11th, 2006, 09:22 PM

Moved to proper forum.

Dyre Straits · July 12th, 2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trinz21

Hi guys,

Ok ive been thinking recently which one of the options i should get. I was thinking of getting a new motherboard, but that would require me getting a new cpu and possibly ram? Or should i get a new AGP card? I have a 450W PSU 12V @ 16A i know it's not much.. should i upgrade my PSU and get a new AGP card? or do you think a new mobo supporting PCI-Express, new graphics card, new cpu, new psu?

And what do you guys think of the price differences? i mean i know getting all the new components for the new mobo is probably gonna be expensive, but what is the cheapest and efficient way to approach this?

Sorry for all these questions, it's just been wondering in my head for quite some time..

Right now, in all honesty, I'm not encouraging anyone to do any serious upgrading. Replacement of blown video cards or other components, yes. But, think of it as 'patchwork'.

The reason being, in just a couple of months the DirectX 10 video cards will be hitting the market. Followed by Windows Vista around the new year.

Some of what you have in your current system will be usuable in a new system. BUT, rather than pour money down a hole (AGP) it would be better to wait long enough to go to PCIe and get a DirectX 10 card.

Your PSU is VERY weak with the 16A 12V rail. You need at least 20A. (Mine has 28A)

So, the long and short of the answers:

New Motherboard; new CPU, new RAM (MAYBE but most likely); new PSU; and new Video Card PCIe and DX10.

If you start your 'window shopping' now, you'll be able to find some good deals.

July 12th, 2006, 04:11 AM

Well currently, i have a 6800 DDR3 (With Silencer NV5 (Rev3)), which apparently can support both PCI-Express and AGP.. I tried installing this the other day onto my PC, however i got these stupid artifacts which kick me out coz of nv4_disp causing BSOD's and lockups. I then reverted back to my 9600XT and sure enough it worked, im assuming it's because of this weak powersupply i have.

I am thinking up of just upgrading to a 500W Antec PSU which, 12V @ 30A. Hopefully it'll work great with my current system for the time being.

Thanks so much for your help!

Current system:
P4 3.0 Ghz 530J Prescott
1gig RAM
9600XT (Have a spare 6800 with Silencer NV5 (Rev.3))
120Gb HDD
450W PSU +12V @ 16A (Intend to upgrade)

Attached is what it looks like when i have a 6800 in my current system playing heroes of might and magic 5.

MaStEr · July 12th, 2006, 12:35 PM

i think FSP Epsilon 700watt is beter chose. it is cost about 130 $

July 12th, 2006, 04:35 PM

hmmm im looking to spend around ~$100 (AUD not USD) for a PSU that has ~25+ Amps on the 12V rail. If anyone knows one let me know. And also whats with the dual 12V rails (eg Antec Smart Power 2.0 450W)? Does that have 2 fans or something? And do they run both at the same time?

MaStEr · July 12th, 2006, 10:24 PM

Epsilon have 4 virtual line 12V with 18A on each other.
when use PC cost 1000$ buy PSU for 100-130 is right.
look in stoores what they have and than think what is the best for you

July 15th, 2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trinz21

Well currently, i have a 6800 DDR3 (With Silencer NV5 (Rev3)), which apparently can support both PCI-Express and AGP.. I tried installing this the other day onto my PC, however i got these stupid artifacts which kick me out coz of nv4_disp causing BSOD's and lockups. I then reverted back to my 9600XT and sure enough it worked, im assuming it's because of this weak powersupply i have.

I am thinking up of just upgrading to a 500W Antec PSU which, 12V @ 30A. Hopefully it'll work great with my current system for the time being.

Thanks so much for your help!

Current system:
P4 3.0 Ghz 530J Prescott
1gig RAM
9600XT (Have a spare 6800 with Silencer NV5 (Rev.3))
120Gb HDD
450W PSU +12V @ 16A (Intend to upgrade)

Attached is what it looks like when i have a 6800 in my current system playing heroes of might and magic 5.

that kinda looks like video memory errors. have you tried just underclocking it a bit? even undercloaked, it would run much faster then the 9600. also check the temperture of the video card.

jbruneau · July 16th, 2006, 12:35 AM

I wouldn't think it is overheating, not with that cooler on it, unless it isn't seated properly.

Either way, the drivers would let you know if it were running too hot. They should warn you if you are running low on power as well (which I've seen before on my system).

I'd have a tendancy to think it would be drivers or something? Have you tried uninstalling the nV / ATI drivers, run Driver Cleaner Pro for both, restart, and then install whichever nV / ATI video drivers you need?

Does it happen in any other games, or just that one?

July 16th, 2006, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbruneau

I wouldn't think it is overheating, not with that cooler on it, unless it isn't seated properly.

Either way, the drivers would let you know if it were running too hot. They should warn you if you are running low on power as well (which I've seen before on my system).

I'd have a tendancy to think it would be drivers or something? Have you tried uninstalling the nV / ATI drivers, run Driver Cleaner Pro for both, restart, and then install whichever nV / ATI video drivers you need?

Does it happen in any other games, or just that one?

when i had my 6800gt, it gave me artifacts at 90C and crashed the comp at 95C and i never got a warning, it's worth checking it manualy in the control panel. i also had in mind that the contact of the cooler and the memory might not be good, so even if the core is cool, the ram on it might be too hot.