My 9800 is bottlenecked, what should I get?

[The.Spiral]

I have a ATI AIW 9800 Pro, but my current CPU (AMD Athlon XP 1700+) pretty much bottlenecks it. I don't have much money, so what could be the the minimum I should get so my video card could show it's full potential? (CPU, Motherboard, and RAM)

Thanks! :thumbs:

 

[SidewinderX]

Well, Socket A is a very versitile socket. You cna put alot in there. What kind of mobo and ram do you have?

 

[The.Spiral]

I have 512 Mb of SDRAM 266 (!) and a MSI K7T266 Pro2 motherboard. I wanted to change my motherboard to have AGP 8x.

 

[theGreenBunny]

AGP 8X isn't worth it yet. I'd upgrade that CPU to something like an XP2500+. Not very expensive either.

 

[SubKamran]

You know what's sad? I have a 2.96Ghz and 9800 Pro and Morrowind still gets me at 17FPS in some places on 2xAA/16xAF @ 1280x1024. That's sad. And I can't even max out the settings on it otherwise it'll run 17 average.

 

[Tarkus]

You know what's sad? I have a 2.96Ghz and 9800 Pro and Morrowind still gets me at 17FPS in some places on 2xAA/16xAF @ 1280x1024. That's sad. And I can't even max out the settings on it otherwise it'll run 17 average.

not only thats sad but strange as well... i can have everything pretty much maxed (except for drawing distance, something like that), with only an fx5600 and a amd1200.. try and put that res in 1024x480.. could work things a bit, and disable that AA and stuff, with a resolution like that, why do you needd AA?

 

[SubKamran]

not only thats sad but strange as well... i can have everything pretty much maxed (except for drawing distance, something like that), with only an fx5600 and a amd1200.. try and put that res in 1024x480.. could work things a bit, and disable that AA and stuff, with a resolution like that, why do you needd AA?

Because it looks smoother I know with 1024x768 it'll run fine...but everything's too big on my 21" monitor I like 1280x1024 and up. It basically runs at 25FPS average with my mods (All the visual pack mods, GOD they rock so much, amazing sharp textures, new doors, new everything).

 

[Gunner]

I have a ATI AIW 9800 Pro, but my current CPU (AMD Athlon XP 1700+) pretty much bottlenecks it. I don't have much money, so what could be the the minimum I should get so my video card could show it's full potential? (CPU, Motherboard, and RAM)

Thanks! :thumbs:

I have the same problem here, more of a dilemma; I have a 9800 pro flashed to XT and I just I could get so much more out of it if I had AGP x8 support on my mobo.

Sidewinder what would you recommend between the following two choices:

- upgrade the ram: Samsung DDR PC2100 1GB (two sticks) 133MHz

or

- upgrade the mobo: i845D FSB 100MHz / Bus 400MHz / AGP x4

Processor itself is a P4 2.2GHz. What to do?

 

[SidewinderX]

well, what's your budget? I could price something that's better than that, probably for the same price range.

And, no, you won't get more than 1 or 2 frames outta 8xagp

 

[Gunner]

Budget is around 200 euros, that's like 220 bucks? I'm not sure. But I'm really surprised that AGP x8 would make no difference, is it because of my setup? or something else

 

[blahblahblah]

CB | Para - Upgrade the RAM, you intel processor will love the extra memory bandwith. If your motherboard supports dual channel memory, make sure you pick up 2 sticks of RAM. You may want to buy faster RAM (ie PC3200) which will allow you to upgrade at a later date (and it may be cheaper than PC2100). As always, check for motherboard compatability.

The.Spiral - I would recommend a AMD Athlon XP 2500 + (Barton Core), and a 1 GB of RAM. I've also heard good stuff about the Asus A7N8X motherboard series (however, they are picky on what type of RAM they will take)

 

[SidewinderX]

If you're on a budget, an Abit NF-7 is a great buy (mine)

 

[Maxi]

the S version is even better. I'm wearing a frog

 

[blindvomit]

Budget is around 200 euros, that's like 220 bucks? I'm not sure. But I'm really surprised that AGP x8 would make no difference, is it because of my setup? or something else

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-127-166&DEPA=0

Proc: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=0

Mem: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-219&depa=0

Total $240 american, free shipping on everything.

 

[Gunner]

Thanks for the advice fellas

 

[The.Spiral]

The.Spiral - I would recommend a AMD Athlon XP 2500 + (Barton Core), and a 1 GB of RAM. I've also heard good stuff about the Asus A7N8X motherboard series (however, they are picky on what type of RAM they will take)

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewprodu...-127-166&DEPA=0

Proc: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-379&depa=0

Mem: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-146-219&depa=0

Total $240 american, free shipping on everything.

-Between the Asus A7N8X and the Abit NF7-S, which one would be the better choice?

-What kind of memory does the A7N8X takes?

-Is there such a difference between 512 Mb and 1 Gb of RAM with my card?

edit: Oh, and does newegg ships to Canada?

:thumbs:

 

[blahblahblah]

For the price, the Abit NF7-S looks like a very good choice.

Here is a list of RAM that is compatable with the NF7-S. However, I find that list to be really confusing. Here is some value Kingston RAM that will work with the NF7-S motherboard. For really expensive RAM, Corsair XMS recommends TWINX1024-3200C2. There is not much of a difference between cheap RAM and expensive RAM. Some people like to go all out when they are building a computer. I would highly recommend the Corsair XMS RAM if you plan on overclocking.

I would highly recommend 1 GB of RAM for that computer as newer computer games are requiring 1 GB for the best performance. You computer could easily benefit from a 1 GB of RAM with a fast processor (like the XP 2500+) and your 9800 Pro.

And no, Newegg does not ship to Canada. ;(

 

[The.Spiral]

Thank you very much for the advice, but there's one more thing: the RAM you suggested me seems a little too expensive. If I buy 2x blindvomit's suggestion, is there a big difference?

 

[blahblahblah]

The Kingston RAM I listed was for a 1 GB of RAM. Blindvomits suggestion is only 512 MB of RAM.

The Mushkin RAM Blindvomit linked to should work. I haven't found anything that said that memory won't explictly work with the NF7-S, so you should be okay. If you do get the Mushkin RAM and the XP 2500+, in your bios make sure the RAM is running at 166 MHz (not 200 MHz). Athlon processors run faster when the RAM is matching its FSB speed.

 

[B_MAN]

barton 2500

 

[The.Spiral]

The Kingston RAM I listed was for a 1 GB of RAM. Blindvomits suggestion is only 512 MB of RAM. The Mushkin RAM Blindvomit linked to should work. I haven't found anything that said that memory won't explictly work with the NF7-S, so you should be okay. If you do get the Mushkin RAM and the XP 2500+, in your bios make sure the RAM is running at 166 MHz (not 200 MHz). Athlon processors run faster when the RAM is matching its FSB speed.

I thought the FSB of the 2500+ was 333 Mhz..?

I meant that if I buy 2 sitcks of 512, I will be cheaper than 1 Gb of the Kingston, but will it make any difference? Will my 9800 still be at it's full potential?

 

[Warbie]

And make sure you get a xp-m 2500 and not an xp 2500 It's considerably faster than an xp 3200 and will have absolutely no trouble 400 mhz (mine does 420 without breaking a sweat. Don't settle for 333 - even my old xp 2500 could do 400)

If you're just planning on 400 mhz (which you should be with that chip) then it's worth considering Geil Golden Dragon pc 3200. Not bad timings (2-3-3-6) and a decent price.

(IMO It's only worth getting the more expensive brands (kingston, corsair, mushkin, ocz etc) if you plan on overclocking them, or if you're into benchmarking. At stock speeds, you'll notice no difference between 1 gig of corsair xms and 1 gig of Golden Dragon while gaming)

I pretty much have the same pc you're planning on buying, except I went with Asus instead of Abit. I've built pcs with both mobos, xp-m 2500's and 9800 pros. Gimme a shout if you want any advice.

 

[Warbie]

-Between the Asus A7N8X and the Abit NF7-S, which one would be the better choice?

-What kind of memory does the A7N8X takes?

-Is there such a difference between 512 Mb and 1 Gb of RAM with my card?

- Both mobos perfom very well - the difference between them is minor. From experience the Asus seems a little more stable, but doesn't overclock quite aswell as the Abit (having said that, I overclocked my xp- 2500 from 1.8 to 2.6 gigs very easily on the Asus)

- The A7N8X has run any memory I've thrown at it. From generic no name stuff to Corsair and Geil.

- 512 ram should be fine Although 1 gig will certainly help keep a more stable frame rate (which, imo, is as important as a high one) Memory will become a bigger issue with future releases, so 1 gig is certainly preferable. If your budget is tight, buy a single a stick of 512 and get another some way down the line.

 

[7h3-7w34k3r]

I am getting a NF7-S v2. I looked at the list for DDR400 but didn't find the ram I am going to get. 512mb (2x256 kit) Kingston Hyper-X PC3200 will work with the NF7 won't it?

EDIT: Kingston RAM

The CPU I am getting with this board is a AMD Athlon XP 3000+ Barton Core (400mhz FSB 512k cache) This board is supposed to support up to a 3200 but in the list I only see up to a 2700+. I'm confused :x

 

[Warbie]

I am getting a NF7-S v2. I looked at the list for DDR400 but didn't find the ram I am going to get. 512mb (2x256 kit) Kingston Hyper-X PC3200 will work with the NF7 won't it?

EDIT: Kingston RAM

The CPU I am getting with this board is a AMD Athlon XP 3000+ Barton Core (400mhz FSB 512k cache) This board is supposed to support up to a 3200 but in the list I only see up to a 2700+. I'm confused :x

It'll support pc 3200 fine


(at the risk of repeating myself - get an xp-m 2500 instead of a xp 3000! These are far better chips and only cost $88 http://www.newegg.com/app/SearchProductResult.asp?DEPA=0 (2nd from top) xp-m's only default to 266 fsb because they're intended to work in laptops. They'll work fine in that mobo and reach 400 fsb easily, just takes 1 second in the bios .

Basically, Athlon make loads of Batons, the fast ones become xp 3200's and the slower ones xp 2400's etc. The best of all of those become xp-m's (you'll want the ones that run at 1.45 v) Trust me - i've made 5 pcs with these chips, the slowest one i've come accross runs at 2.4 gigs @ 400 fsb, 300 mhz faster than a xp 3000))

 

[PvtRyan]

If you're on a budget, an Abit NF-7 is a great buy (mine)

I second that.

And before you start buying stuff, check whether that 1700+ you've got is a T-Bred B JIUHB, it should say it on the cpu itself, but there's some programs that can do it too (not sure which ones). If you do have a JIUHB stepping, you can easily clock it to 2400-2500+ with your current cooling (assuming you've got a very standard one) and even further with a good aircooler (3000 should be possible).

I've got that and combined with the NF7-s it's a killer combination :thumbs:

But your gonna need some new RAM if you got 266 Mhz DDR.

 

[The.Spiral]

Hey, thanks for all the support guys! You rock!
:cheers:

Is the XP-M is the same ting as the Athlon MP? (like here) (go on your right to find CPU, and it's the first group listed)

If you have anymore suggestions, feel free to post again... :thumbs:

 

[blindvomit]

It's better to have 2x512 than 1x1gb because you take advantage of dual-channel which is way faster. So buy one 512mb and later buy another of the same, or if you have the cash buy two of them.