Hypothetically speaking...

[joule]

oK. Lets say, hypothetically, that I have the following system specs. And I have to choose what I want to upgrade.

Windows XP Home
P4 2.26 GHz
768 MB RAM
30 GB HDD
GeForce FX 5200 128 MB RAM
Compaq CV735 17" Monitor
Netzero Dial-Up Internet

Now what do you think would be the best upgrade?

Netzero Dial-Up Internet-->Verizon DSL (For 2 years)

or...

GeForce FX 5200 128 MB RAM-->This

Now I know that upgrading from dial-up to DSL does not improve game performance. But think, I can play game online now, and I can download and surf much faster.

Thanx for your help.
And remember, this is hypothetical. I am just a posing a question to you all to see what you all know and what you think is the best upgrade to go through with.

 

[Gajdycz]

dsl will help omline, and swindle some money out of ur parents

 

[Daegon]

oooh, that is a really hard one. I've had both and I can say that they are both incredibly useful. Let me ask you a question, which would you rather play, half life 2 single player or counter strike source/ other online games.

if I could only have one, i would probably go with the dsl, just for the sheer usefulness of broadband. But that card is rather nice...

 

[Z|insane]

oK. Lets say, hypothetically, that I have the following system specs. And I have to choose what I want to upgrade.


GeForce FX 5200 128 MB RAM


Now what do you think would be the best upgrade?

or...

GeForce FX 5200 128 MB RAM-->This

Umm I am confused here... Isnt that the same card?

Edit: Never clicked the link. I would go for the 9600, if you prefer single player games. But if you want multi get DSL

 

[joule]

oooh, that is a really hard one. I've had both and I can say that they are both incredibly useful. Let me ask you a question, which would you rather play, half life 2 single player or counter strike source/ other online games.

if I could only have one, i would probably go with the dsl, just for the sheer usefulness of broadband. But that card is rather nice...

To tell you the truth. I would rather play Half-Life 2 single-player, no doubt. But I want, hypothetically, DSL for online gaming and faster downloading.

 

[joule]

Umm I am confused here... Isnt that the same card?

Edit: Never clicked the link. I would go for the 9600, if you prefer single player games. But if you want multi get DSL

Um, it's a 9800 Pro. I'm taking that as a mistake.

 

[Z|insane]

*Puts on glasses* .... OOOOOOOOOO 9800 pro GET GET GET!!

Seriously though, its your choice, multiplayer or single.. what do you prefer

 

[joule]

*Puts on glasses* .... OOOOOOOOOO 9800 pro GET GET GET!!

Seriously though, its your choice, multiplayer or single.. what do you prefer

I prefer single-player. So, I think I'll go with the Radeon 9800 Pro 128 MB RAM, hypothetically.
But the poll in 50/50, and I can't really make up my mind.

 

[Z|insane]

9800 pro!! You can always LAN for multiplayer.

 

[joule]

9800 pro!! You can always LAN for multiplayer.

I guess so.

 

[Dedalus]

you'll get more love from your broadband connection than you will from a new graphics card. it's not like you're gonna be playing games all day everyday? or are you?

graphics card prices will drop over the next year or so anyway, and the rig you have now is more than good enough to run most games.

 

[Cyanide]

This is a no brainer for me. Broadband enables so many things. It will improve your performance in online games more than a 9800pro will, because even with the 9800pro, you'll get net lag in online games. Your computing experience will change completely once you get broadband. You'll never be able to go back to dial-up again.

 

[Asus]

I'll have to say broadband. Totally changes how you look at using PCs. So many more possiblities just because of switching to broadband. Most people will tell you that anyway.

The 9800pro wouldn't be a bad choice as it's the best performance for your money and it delivers a lot of performance. But like Dedalus said prices will go down and there is always something newer and better.

I could deal with a FX 5200 a lot better than I could deal with Dial-up. :\ Wow, did I just say that?

Your choice.

 

[B.Calhoun]

I would go with the 9800pro just because you prefer single player more. PLus you can always show your parents (if you are younger, i take it you are?) the usefulness of broadband and eventually get them to pay for it. And you could chip in money aswell for the broadband.

BTW, having a job helps, alot.

 

[Maxi]

I'd say this depends on what you do more. Do you spend most of your time on the computer surfing the net, downloading stuff or do you spend that time gaming? I would personally choose the DSL, but that's just cause i'm a web freak.

 

[DarkStar]

DSL all the way. I can't even imagine still being on dialup.

 

[bosox188]

I'll have to say broadband. Totally changes how you look at using PCs. So many more possiblities just because of switching to broadband. Most people will tell you that anyway.

The 9800pro wouldn't be a bad choice as it's the best performance for your money and it delivers a lot of performance. But like Dedalus said prices will go down and there is always something newer and better.

I could deal with a FX 5200 a lot better than I could deal with Dial-up. :\ Wow, did I just say that?

Your choice.

Hey, I've had to put up with my 5200 for almost 6 months, I've gotten the most I can out of it so far (which isn't much as it's so slow and I just found out mine's the 64-bit one). I would get the high speed internet, so much more you can do and stuff, you can download whatever you want without having to worry about how long it'll take.

 

[Varsity]

ADSL, no question about it. You can play most games with that card but a 56k just isn't the internet any more.

 

[joule]

Thanx for everything guys. I really appreciate it.

I'll be getting BOTH, hypothetically! :bounce:
Made a deal with my dad, and my dad got some extra cash. And $200 for the 9800 Pro and $30 a month for Verizon DSL. AWESOME!
But I think I'll appreciate the 9800 pro even more, because I am into single-player games a lot more.