If I have a P4 3.06GHz HT processor...

scaramanga_goldengun

scaramanga_goldengun

New Member
...is it enough to upgrade integrated graphics to a 8800GTS? I also have 2 x 512MB RAM, which I plan to upgrade to 2 x 1GB RAM upon buying the video card. Some people say that I should have a Dual Core processor for that card, but isn't it true that most games still use single-processing? I really want to upgrade my graphics, and I don't want to spend $200 on a good DX9 card when I can go up about $80 and get better graphics that will last longer.
 
Ya, why not.

Even if you cant get the full potential with the p4, at least you have a good video card that you can plunk into your next pc, when the time comes.
 
well its like this the faster a graphic card is the more CPU it will take for it to run smoothly. for example, i have a 3.2 GHZ pentium 4 with HT. before i was using x800 when i am not doing much on my pc the CPU is mostly below 10 %
after i changed to a sapphire x1950 pro agp 512mb my cpu always hang around 60 %
so this should give you an idea

and remember always get a big fan for your graphic card like right now my x1950 is using the stock cooling fan it gets overheat very fast and runs slower than my x800
 
I have two PCI-e x16 slots, so that's not a problem. I have heard about the heating problem with the bigger cards, and I'll definitely buy some. As for the PSU, how can I check without opening the case (if possible)? If not, can I just buy a 500W supply? Because I have a feeling my PSU is 320W or less.
 
Quick question, do I buy a fan for the card, or the case? Because I can't find any fans specifically for the 8800GTS. Can anybody just recommend me a good fan (not too expensive)?
 
Your card should come with a cooling system and I find that its sufficient for stock and moderately overclocked speeds.
 
It'll come with a fan fully assembled and it should be adequate cooling. I'm sure there are aftermarket options to modify it for better cooling but I wouldn't worry about that unless you have it clocked to the moon. I run mine at 600MHz core speed and the memory at 830MHz and temps run in the high 60's or right around 70 degrees celcius under load. Of course it could clock higher but I don't have a desire to go there.

Your P4 3.06 will push it but you'll be leaving FPS on the table compaired to something stronger. It is true that almost all current games are written for single core and wont take advantage of both cores in a dual core. However in a dual core all background tasks are relegated to one core while the game runs on the other uninterupted so there is that advantage. My Athlon X2 @ 2.4GHz benchmarked higher then my single core Athlon @ 2.4GHz with the same graphics card, not by much though. Can you overclock that P4 or does BIOS have you locked in? Is it socket 775? If so the socket 775 P4 3.4 is $85 on newegg...should be a direct swap if you're interested in that.
 
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If you get an 8800, your CPU will be your limiting factor. HT is redundant now with Dual Core CPUs, so I suggest you upgrade to a true dual core system before upgrading to an 8800, otherwise you will be wasting your cash by not running your 8800 to its fullest potential, and ain't that be a shame?
 
I'm not sure about the overclocking thing...I've never overclocked anything, and neither has my dad (who is kind of advanced with computers), only because I fear breaking it. Although I could replace the processor like you said with about $100 (which I could get in about a month), I'd rather not risk it. However, after upgrading, I will make it a priority to upgrade the processor, and possibly the motherboard (if it doesn't support dual-core).

And thanks for the fan advice, that's going to save me about $30-$40.
 
Did you buy this computer or did someone build it? If it's store bought you actually don't have the overclocking features in the motherboard's BIOS. That's their way of getting you to buy new computers instead of tweaking the one you have. Your only option at the point is swapping the chip. Your motherboard might support Pentium D but I highly doubt it'll support a Core 2 Duo. If your comp is store bought and you swap motherboards Windows will think you swapped your hard drive into a new computer and might screw up on you. There's ways around this, you'd have to format the hard drive, reinstall windows, call Microsoft on the phone and tell them you swapped motherboards and get an activation code, then since you formatted the HD you have to reinstall all of your software. If you want to run an 8800 with your existing chip go ahead and do it...just remember that you are going to bottleneck at the processor and leave some performance on the table. You'll have a solid graphics card that should last you a few years for a future comp though so it's not money totally wasted.
 
I just found out yesterday that I only have PCI-e x1 slots, which means no 8800GTS. Is there a really good single PCI-e card, and is it possible to have two running at once (without SLI or Crossfire)? The only good one I found was the following:
Click to expand...
There is no "good" (or even "worthwhile") card that runs in PCEx1. PCIEx1 cards are budget cards designed simply to fill the market void introduced by motherboard manufacturers who decided to make a board with a PCIEx1 slot and no PCIEx16 slot heh
 
scaramanga_goldengun said:
So is there any way to use PCI-e x16 cards without getting a new motherboard?
Click to expand...

The only way to use a PCI-E x16 video card is if you have a PCI-E x16 slot. If you dont, then you cant use it.

Just as a side note however, you can use a PCI-E x1, x4, x8, etc in a PCI-E x16 slot.
 
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