Upgrading for T:V

Right, im thinking of upgrading my processor from a Pentium 4 CPU 2.4 GHz. What would be the best bang for the buck precessor?

Edit: I also have 1536 (1.5 gig) Megabytes Installed Memory DDR PC3200 (2 256's 2 512's), and a RADEON 9800 PRO, monitor is a DELL E772c [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n 6418034731CP, April 2003).

2.4 GHz should be more than enough. What kind of vid card you got? How much RAM?

Just added that.

:jawdrop:

I'm just worried that my processor is bottlenecking the system.

I too am working on upgrading (er... well building a new box).

Athlon 64 3400 Clawhammer - $298
ABIT "KV8-MAX3" K8T800 Socket 754 - $139
Radeon x800 xt 256mb - $545
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10k - $180
RAIDMAX Black "ATX-822WBP" Case 420W w/3Fans - $53

s'what I've gathered so far. I'm looking for RAM to go with that motherboard but here's all the information says:

ABIT "KV8-MAX3" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL

Model# KV8-MAX3
Item # N82E16813127165

Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 754 AMD Athlon64 Processors
Chipset: VIA K8T800 + VT8237
FSB: 800MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR333/266, 2x DIMM for DDR400 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI Slots
Ports: 2xPS/2, SPDIF In/Out, 1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4), 3xIEEE1394a(Rear 1), Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 6-Channel AC97 CODEC
Onboard LAN: 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
Onboard SATA/RAID: 6x Serial ATA, 4 SATA RAID 0/1/0+1
Form Factor: ATX

I haven't really kept up with the technology and in searching, I haven't founnd DDR333/266 or DDR400 or which PC-XXXX they correspond to. And which is better? DDR333/266 or DDR400? Thanks!

Sopo: Your system is fine. The best bang for you buck intel CPU is the 2.4 :p If you're bored, you can get a 2.8 for $160.

JestrzPlague: DDR400 is faster than DDR333/266. DDR400 = PC3200, DDR333 = PC2700. Depending on what brand of ram you want, DDR400 is about $20 more than DDR333.

If you're going to spend that much for a CPU, you might as well spend $50 more and get the socket939 A64 3500+. Won't have to get a new mobo if you want to do a simple CPU upgrade in a couple years.

Sopo: Your system is fine. The best bang for you buck intel CPU is the 2.4 :p If you're bored, you can get a 2.8 for $160.

JestrzPlague: DDR400 is faster than DDR333/266. DDR400 = PC3200, DDR333 = PC2700. Depending on what brand of ram you want, DDR400 is about $20 more than DDR333.

If you're going to spend that much for a CPU, you might as well spend $50 more and get the socket939 A64 3500+. Won't have to get a new mobo if you want to do a simple CPU upgrade in a couple years.
Aright. Thanks!

btw, Will a 7.2k RPM hard drive (being the primary) bottleneck the system? I plan on placing all unimportant files on my other drive. Should I go with the 10K Raptor?

btw, Will a 7.2k RPM hard drive (being the primary) bottleneck the system? I plan on placing all unimportant files on my other drive. Should I go with the 10K Raptor?

I bought a 10k raptor two months ago. I love the thing. Helps all around. Windows runs better, benchmarks scores are higher, search times way faster, etc...

The title said "upgrading for T:V", since games don't tend to run from virtual memory it won't matter at all and 7.2k rpm is fine.

And i'd say Sopo should see how the BETA runs with his rig and then decide, it's not too bad at all.

The title said "upgrading for T:V", since games don't tend to run from virtual memory it won't matter at all and 7.2k rpm is fine.

And i'd say Sopo should see how the BETA runs with his rig and then decide, it's not too bad at all.

Yeah, but games load from your HDD to memory and my load times in TV are very fast. I just built my rig for TV and basically built the same system for my cousin, but he went with a larger 7200 drive. My 3dmark03 scores are quite a bit higher.

Yeah, but games load from your HDD to memory and my load times in TV are very fast.
I ofc agree on that, it'll reduce loadup time but i don't expect it to effect the game once it's up and running.
My 3dmark03 scores are quite a bit higher.
That's very surprising, but maybe there are other differences between your 2 rigs that caused it.

btw, Will a 7.2k RPM hard drive (being the primary) bottleneck the system? I plan on placing all unimportant files on my other drive. Should I go with the 10K Raptor?

Its not going to get you better FPS, but I have a 10,000 RPM Raptor and love it, Windows is very speedy. Just remember 10,000 RPM cost a lot more per GB.

Maybe I should upgrade my hard drive, its only 60 gb =/.

I think you should rather save up the money for the next generation CPU, vid cards, etc ... Your rig is pretty damn good and should last you easily 1-2 years.

what system do i need if i want to run tv on full details at a high res (1280x1024 or something like that) with 4xaa/af

im gonna wait for PCI-Express...so maybe upgrade will happen in december

what system do i need if i want to run tv on full details at a high res (1280x1024 or something like that) with 4xaa/af

Ummm I'm guessing anything with 2.4 Ghz and above, 768+MB Ram, but most importantly a vid. card with 256MB Ram either latest ATI or Nvidia.

That's what they have been telling us mostly, that you need lots of Ram for the textures.

Just a thought, im not sure if you trust eBay, but you can find some nice prices on some of the newer cards..

9800XT was going for $150 and some were lower on bid and even the x800 was going around 300 which is good for the retail prices at this time..