Want to upgrade. But to what?

[Supreme_Lagger]

Hello all. I'd like to upgrade my pc slightly so that I can play Supcom without it lagging so bad. My question is what to upgrade without causing a bottleneck? My pc specs are as followed; Amd Athlon 64 3200 2.01 GHZ, 1.00GB of Ram, Radeon 9800 Pro. Any suggestions?

[crisis]

personaly i would get rid of the CPU and upgrade mboard and cpu to a pentium, maybe the pentiumd 2.8ghz processor

[Budfred]

personaly i would get rid of the CPU and upgrade mboard and cpu to a pentium, maybe the pentiumd 2.8ghz processor

That is already a pentium level chip and AMD chips run faster than Intel, so it is already faster than the one you are suggesting...

Supreme_Lagger,

Hang on and some of our hardware experts will be coming along... My guess is that it is a matter of upgrading the video if it is for game playing...

[crisis]

That is already a pentium level chip and AMD chips run faster than Intel, so it is already faster than the one you are suggesting...

Supreme_Lagger,

Hang on and some of our hardware experts will be coming along... My guess is that it is a matter of upgrading the video if it is for game playing...

i have got a few systems with AMD chips in them and also have a couple with pentium chips in them and i aslways find that the pentium's run alot better than the amd's, as for gaming the pentium d i find stops the lag as they are core duo chips just my opinion, but hey each to there own

[Budfred]

i have got a few systems with AMD chips in them and also have a couple with pentium chips in them and i aslways find that the pentium's run alot better than the amd's, as for gaming the pentium d i find stops the lag as they are core duo chips just my opinion, but hey each to there own

If you want to offer an opinion, that is fine... However, please make an effort to be clear... If you are recommending a specific brand, say that... Pentium is generally used to refer to the level of the chip, not the Intel brand... Also, if you are recommending a massive overhaul when the question is for a minimal upgrade, you need to be recommend something that is at least faster than what the person already has... However, it would be best to address what the question actually asks...

[crisis]

If you want to offer an opinion, that is fine... However, please make an effort to be clear... If you are recommending a specific brand, say that... Pentium is generally used to refer to the level of the chip, not the Intel brand... Also, if you are recommending a massive overhaul when the question is for a minimal upgrade, you need to be recommend something that is at least faster than what the person already has... However, it would be best to address what the question actually asks...

i take it this is an american forum? because over here in the uk, we don't refer to pentium as a level of chip we refer to it as a intel pentium chip,and a amd as an amd chip, im a member on a few other boards just need time to get used to the way you people talk, and like i said i personaly think that the pentium d (intel) chip is alot faster than the amd chip he has already got, also i was making an effort to be clear but like i say you refer to things differently than than i do

[Supreme_Lagger]

Thx guys. I really appreciate the help. I'll hang out and listen up for more suggestions. Keep em coming please. Would upgrading the video card cause a bottleneck issue?

[Budfred]

Thx guys. I really appreciate the help. I'll hang out and listen up for more suggestions. Keep em coming please. Would upgrading the video card cause a bottleneck issue?

That is something the hardware experts will need to address... Video cards are usually the crucial element in gaming if you have a basically good CPU and RAM... Without specific specs, it is hard to say, so I suggest you post more detail about the specs of your system... What type of RAM, what CPU (dual core or not)... The more you can tell us, the more likely someone can pin down some recommendations for you...

[Supreme_Lagger]

Thx Budfred. I'm a pc noob but here it goes. All I know is the processor is an AMD 64 3200+ (not sure if it's dual core), RAM is DDRAM 1 GB TWINX 1024-3200 C2. Motherboard-VIAK8T800 ATX ( Hope that helps ).

[saphalline]

crisis - WTF is up with the PD recommendation?? A simple upgrade to an Athlon64 X2 would blow away a PD 820! If you want to recommend Intel, at least go for the jugular! Core 2 Duo all the way! The C2D's wipe the floor with the PD's as far as gaming, and most everything else, too. The "Pentium" name in general died off when the Core 2 Duo's were released. They run cooler and perform better than the slapped together PD's could ever dream.

Supreme_Lagger - Your main problem is that you're trying to play a late-2006 game with old 2003 hardware. With a 3 and half year old hardware, I'd recommend just saving up the money for a total upgrade. If you want to keep up with gaming and play the latest games, you have to expect to upgrade at least every 2 years. You are far overdue. I can recommend some upgrades for your current system, but it would be more like a band-aid than a fix. The performance wouldn't be outstanding, and you'd still be looking at an entirely new system by year's end.

It's up to you how you want to proceed, but your budget will be the prime factor.

[jlreich]

we don't refer to pentium as a level of chip we refer to it as a intel pentium chip
Not trying to come down on you or anything, but I was thinking pretty much like Budfred when you said "Pentium". The Pentium name is dead and will no longer be used for new Intel chips. The Core/Core 2 chips are not Pentium's. If you had said "get a new Core2" it would indeed have been an upgrade, even if it is at a slower clock speed.

[Supreme_Lagger]

Sorry for the late response Saph, and thx for the info. If I decided to go with a whole new pc, would I be able to buy one that's upgradable and DX10/Vista ready, or should I wait a few months? Hope that makes sense....

[SufferWell1396]

If it has Vista pre-installed, dont go for it... Wait a few months if your going for one that has Vista pre-installed... I'd atleast wait til Windows Vista SP1.

[George Hallam]

i agree with suffer your best off saving up bt wait 4 sp1 so they sort out all the bugs and mote DX10 card wud of cum out by then and be cheaper

[Supreme_Lagger]

Thx guys. My current video card is only 128 MB, would upgrading to a 256 card cause a bottleneck? And if not, any recommendations for a Gigabyte K8T00 MB?

[saphalline]

Most custom computer builders are still offering WinXP Pro as an installation option. I don't know why all of you are so anti-Vista SP0 when a perfectly good alternative already exists! It's not like WinXP died on January 30th! It's still out there and available. No one looking for a new system right now has to wait for Vista SP1.

Supreme_Lagger - What's your budget? $800 or $2500? USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, etc? Can't start looking until I know a price. Afterall, it's pointless to recommend an 8800 (the only D3D 10 vid card right now, by the way) when you can't afford one.

[Supreme_Lagger]

2500$ sounds like a good number. Is there a system I can build now for that price that will be Vista/Directx10 compatible that won't be obsolete in 6 months?

[Dr Dmoney]

Well, if you learn you could build a computer of your dreams and be well in your budget. It is just a thought though. I am about to make my first build and it is around $1600 with a 8800. Vista/direct x compatible. Also, if you don't want to build you can get a pc shop near to do it for you and you pick out the parts. It will be much easyer to upgrade and less expensive.
For a good computer well in your price range:

Computer Specifications
*Note* The number beside the type of unit is the volume, and the price of the unit is the price of one unit not two units (Only applies for the the units that have two or more), shipping nor rebates not included. *Note*

Power Supply Unit - 1
HIPER HPU-4B580-MS ATX12V 580W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128002) - $89.99
Motherboard - 1
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131028) - $194.99
Central Processing Unit - 1
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003) - $315.00
Graphical Video Card - 1
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130071) - $389.99
System Memory - 1
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231114) - $209.99
Harddrive Disk Unit - 1
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701) - $74.99
DVD-Rom - 2
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106049) - $32.99
Keyboard - 1
Logitech G11 Silver & Black 104 Normal Keys 29 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126009) - $58.99
Mouse - 1
Razer Diamondback Acid Green 1600 dpi (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826153004) - $39.99
Television Tuner - 1
KWORLD PCI Interface TV Tuner Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815100129) - $27.89
Case Fans - 2
MASSCOOL 9025B1M3/4 90mm Case Fan - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150031) - $3.49
Heatsink and Fan - 1
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118003) - $47.99
Fan Controller - 1
SYBA CL-RM-35FD 3.5" Front Panel (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811998007) -$17.99

Initial Cost $1,534.76
Shipping $30.94
Rebates -$30.00
-------------------------
Total Cost $1,565.70
Without rebates $1,535.70

Note this computer was built for my specifications, I would go and get a 8800gtX is stead of a 8800gts with $2500 as your budget. Also I would get a different psu than the one I have picked out for my build. It is a good psu for a smaller budget.

[Supreme_Lagger]

Awesome, thx Doc. What do you think of the new motherboards with SLI technology?

[dafink]

Hey Supreme, definitely have to suggest going with a dual core if you want to play Supreme Commander.

I have a AMD 64 3200+ myself, 1gb ram, X800 card and when I was in the multiplayer beta for that I seriously had to shut down everything I could, save for the critical programs. It's good to shut down everything you can anytime you're playing a game but for supcom especially.

The game can feature up to 500 units PER SIDE...that's alot of processing power. Not to mention it's got the google earth feature where you can zoom out to almost a world display or as close to see an individual unit. It works on mine obviously but was configured to really take advantage of dual core.

Once I find my pc gamer i'll post the minimum requirements and recommended...Chris Taylor (Gas Powered Games) says they designed the game to work on a variety of systems but if you want it looking beautiful and kick ass then we'll both need new systems

[Dr Dmoney]

Well, Sli is not as good as it sounds. You see sli as two video cards. Now you think that two video cards will increase your performance two times.Infact it doesn't. There is actually very low performance boost especially with the 8800 series. If you get yourself the 8800gtx then your pc will be a high performance pc and by high I mean extreamly. This is one of the best machines that you could own without the highest price possible. Things I would do is get the gtx, bigger harddrive and a raptor for windows and faster loadings. Later today I will help you out some more. You will also need a case. Just look at newegg go to the search and look for yourself a full tower case without psu(power supply). Look for the one you like best.

[Dr Dmoney]

ok, Sorry for double post but now I got some time to change some of the parts to meet your budget a little more.
Psu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153039
GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814186010
case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133149
Cooling - http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16835100007
I like that case the best for the price, just remember that the disk on the outside or interchangeable so you don't have to have purple. You will just have to look around for some color disk. If you want High quality cases then look for one that have a $200 price tag or lian li or Thermaltake. The Cooling paste is worth it to decrease cpu temperatures.

[saphalline]

SLI does better than you think if the game is optimized for it. The problem with SLI is that there are too many "if's". If you can afford a second identical vid card within 6 months, and if you play primarily high-end modern SLI-capable games, and if you don't mind being limited to certain hardware, etc. SLI systems can be very powerful, but you need the money and expertise required for effectively using it. I've got an older SLI rig myself and my two OC'ed 6600 GT's together are shamed by the latest single vid cards. I usually advise people to forget SLI and CrossFire and instead focus on building the best system for their budget. If SLI or CrossFire happen to satisfy that, then so be it. But do not dwell on it.