Upgrading to a newer graphics card

wingzero_ac19x

wingzero_ac19x

New Member
I am doing research into a new graphics card for my computer. The system is two years old and behind the technology curve for all intents and purposes. I am just trying to figure out which card is the best deal and will not be bottlenecked too bad by my systems capabilities. My system specs are as follows:

Compaq Presario SR2039x (Heavily modified)
Upgrades include:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor (4200+) socket 939
4 Gigabytes of G-skill pc-3200 ram w/ heatsinks
OCZ stealth x-stream power supply rated at 600 watts w/ 120 mm fan
Arctic cooling Freezer 64 PRO heatsink and fan
Current graphics card is a Zogis 7600GS silent (512 mb of ddr2, pci-express version)
The motherboard only has one pci-express x16 slot so sli is not possible.
Finally I have added another DVD burner and a 500 Gig hard drive to it all.
Also, the system is running XP Media center edition 2005

I have been looking into nvidia cards since they are what I prefer between them and ATI. The three I have been looking at are 8800GTS, 9600GS, or a 9800GT. From what I understand, the 9800 GT and the 8800GT are basically the same card. The size of the card is not really an issue, I mainly just want everyones opinion on what will give me the best performance increase without bottlenecking the system extremely bad. I appreciate everyones time and responses.
 
Is this for gaming?
the 8800GS/GT 9800GT i'm fairly sure they'd bottleneck the CPU is fairly slow.
The 9600GS0 would possibly bottleneck.
But maybe an 8400 for equivalent balance?
Or upgrade your CPU...
 
Yes, this is for gaming. I am not a hardcore gamer or anything, but I do play call of duty 4 and I have COD: World at war which is where the problem is coming in. For some reason there is just a lot of lag playing it. I am pretty sure any newer card will be leaps and bounds better than my current 7600 GS. Although, I cannot complain with the 7600GS, it is a really good card, but just cant keep up with the newest games. As far as upgrading the processor goes, the 4200+ that is in it now is honestly the furthest upgrade that is really worth it. I paid 100 dollars for the processor which replaced a single core 3700+. Any faster 939 cpus are selling for hundreds which would make it more worthwhile to just buy a new barebone system. But given how much I have already put into this one, I am just trying to keep it going for atleast a couple more years.
 
Alrite man thats fair enough :)

Well i think the 7600GS and the 8400GS are fairly similar, in the fact that there both better in different areas, i dont think its worth the money, i doubt you'll notice much of a difference.
So maybe a 8500 or 8600GT, they shouldnt bottleneck but im not 100% sure.
 
Thanks a lot for the responses. I have seen different opinions on the effects of bottlenecks. Is it just a matter of the graphics card being limited and unable to reach its full output, or does the whole system suffer trying to keep up with the card? If its just a matter of the card not reaching its full potential, I will just go with a powerful card and whenever I build a new system I will just use that card in the next one and put the 7600GS back in this one. In case you are wondering, the cards I am looking at are:

Zotac 9600GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500070

PNY 8800GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133254

ASUS 9800GT MATRIX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121283

I know all of these cards are powerful compared to my system specs.

Also, I have noticed a decent 8600GT:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...?EdpNo=3244224&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs
 
I would get the 9600GT. The 8600GT isn't a great deal considering its performance, and the 8800/9800GT are just going to waste with your CPU. The 9600GT will still be bottlenecked somewhat, but it'll be a solid addition to that rig at a very agreeable price.

One way to think of a CPU bottleneck is this: If you get video card X or video card X2 (which is more powerful), they might perform nearly the same because card X2 doesn't get to reach its full potential because it's waiting on the CPU. So basically, you'd be spending more money on X2 for no gain over X.

*Edit: That 9600GT in your link is actually pricier than most. I've seen some go for about $100. If you're going to be almost as much as the 9800GT, you might as well get the 9800GT--you might be able to carry over that card to a new rig. If you can get the 9600GT cheaper, then do it.
 
Sorry for the delayed response everyone. I really appreciate the information, it has been really helpful. I have decided once I get a new card that I will go ahead and get a 9800GT, by the time I get the 9600 GT, it is almost as much as the 9800. Also, the 9800GT seems to be a good card for use in my next system even if it is a couple of years off. Thanks everyone!
 
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