Worth Upgrading?

[Mujuro]

I was wondering if it is worth upgrading. To start, I'll list my specifications.

ECS L7VMM Motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 1600+
512MB (256MB x2) Generic RAM
PNY GeForce FX5200 128MB
SoundBlaster Audigy LS
Generic 200W PowerSupply

I was thinking of upgrading my RAM by purchasing two sticks of Corsair ValueSelect 512MB (thus getting rid of my current RAM), upgrading to an Antec TRUE430 ATX 430W Power Supply, and installing an eVGA GeForce 6800 and unlock some pipelines. Now, I have a few questions.

1) How much of a bottleneck with I receive due to my processor?
2) I also have a CyberPower CPS900AVR 900AVR 500W UPS as a backup of my Generic 200W P/S, so is it necessary to upgrade my current Power Supply?
3) If so, is that PowerSupply compatible with my motherboard? You can view my motherboard's specifications here.
4) I only have one case fan, so should I go about purchasing a few more fans to ensure maximum performance without overheating?
5) Bottom of the line, is it worth it?

 

[duffers20]

1) Your cpu will cause quite a bottleneck I'm afraid. The memory bandwidth of the CPU will be quite low and will slow stuff down.

2) If you do decide to get your new gfx card, then I would recommend an upgrade because its going to draw alittle more from the PSU than your old one. I'll just say that the 6800 cards wern't released as anything higher for a reason, probably that they just won't work properly with the unlocked pipelines, so you may find that when you do unlock the additional pipelines, it doesn't work properly.

3) Should be yes.

4) Its worth getting a couple more, there is no harm in getting some more.

5) If this is whats available in your current price range, and you have a reason to upgrade, then yes I'd say its worth it. But if you wait, you could get a new Athlon 64 and a new motherboard, then a new gfx card. That would bring you better performance as the CPU wouldnt cause a performance bottleneck. It may be more expensive, but you will be happier with it in the long run, but its upto you.

 

[Mujuro]

Well, I am wanting to be able to play Battlefield 2 on at least medium-high.

 

[duffers20]

I'm not too sure how CPU intensive BF2 is. You might get away with just upgrading your gfx card, but I'm not sure. You should see if you can check out some benchmark results on a system similar to the one you plan on building.

 

[Mujuro]

Well, I can play Rome: Total War very well, and it is a very CPU intensive game, but as I've heard (http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST--2147-x-x-x&body_pagenum=4) Battlefield 2 isn't a CPU intensive, unless you are running singeplayer or are on a 64 player game, which won't be as I like small games (16-24).