Matt03 0 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 I want to upgrade my PC current video card but I don't have an AGP slot. Only got a PCI slot. If I were to buy another video card the same as my current would that help performance or just be a waste of money? Also any recomendations on the best PCI card. My current card is Radeon 7000 64MB. I wish I had some more money for an Alienware . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson 0 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 If I were to buy another video card the same as my current You'd end up buying another Radeon 7000. Advice - Save up enough for a new mobo with an AGP slot, and go from there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt03 0 Posted October 5, 2003 Author Share Posted October 5, 2003 I just going to save my money for an Alienware. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Alienware = 2-4 thousand dollars. Mobo+proc+ Vid and memory = less than 1200. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt03 0 Posted October 5, 2003 Author Share Posted October 5, 2003 Dream PC down to 2,900. That is doable for me. Might as well get the best and not worry bout anything for a while. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KRP 56 92 Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 Dream PC down to 2,900. That is doable for me. Might as well get the best and not worry bout anything for a while. Sounds like a good idea to me. I'm still chugging along with an HP 7965 running a TNT 2 64 PRO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RooK 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 The best is one is a custom built rig by your own hands. No prefab, even Alienware, can beat that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruin 17 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Epox EP-8RDA = $88 AMD Athlon 2400+ = $150 Sapphire 9500 Pro = $150 Good deal IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 ASUS A7N8X = $120 AMD Ath 2500+ = $95 Leadtek GF4 Ti4400 = $190 (At the time anways, now it can be had for around $130.) Ahh, still one upping you Ruin. RooK is right, if you take the time to get the right parts, put it together yourself, you'll end up happier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt03 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Author Share Posted October 7, 2003 Alienware --> 3.2GHz intel pentium 4, 1 GB DDR RAM, 120 GB hard Drive, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB video card. All for 2,900. Sounds good to me. Just need money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NYR_32 6 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 It may sound good to you but for $1000 less I was able to find quality parts that are comparable to the Aleinware...a3 .2ghzP4..1gig of Corsair Xms RAM (PC3200)...an Asus Canterwood Mobo....a Radeon 9800 128mb( 256mb marginally improves performance)... plus a120gb hard drive along with a case, optical drives and a good sound card.....but whatever you want to do is up to you...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 It may sound good to you but for $1000 less I was able to find quality parts that are comparable to the Aleinware...a3 .2ghzP4..1gig of Corsair Xms RAM (PC3200)...an Asus Canterwood Mobo....a Radeon 9800 128mb( 256mb marginally improves performance)... plus a120gb hard drive along with a case, optical drives and a good sound card.....but whatever you want to do is up to you...... Im with you. Alienware is great if you have money to burn, but if not, NYR_32 nailed it. Good luck to ya bro. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RooK 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Besides, if you want the fastest machine, you'd ought to be buying an Athlon64 3200 or FX-51. The 3200 is comparable (cheaper) in price and guts the 3.2ghz P4. A64 3200: $443 GA-K8VT800M: $110 1gb Kingston PC3200: $230 Radeon 9800Pro 128mb: $364 Total: $1147 Now, just gut your old system for other components and you're fixed up. Any way you look at it, even with a new case, nice speaker system etc, you're still going to land under the $2900 mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sgt Rock 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 I was thinking about building using a Shuttle SFF barebones. I'd prefer something smaller rather than a monolith to gaming. Anyone running one of these? http://us.shuttle.com/specs2.asp?pro_id=390 Only limitation is 1 AGP slot, so I can put in a good graphics card, but would have to live with the onboard sound. Grebyte Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt03 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Author Share Posted October 7, 2003 A64 3200: $443 GA-K8VT800M: $110 1gb Kingston PC3200: $230 Radeon 9800Pro 128mb: $364 Total: $1147 You got to buy more that that. Need case, power supply, fans, and other stuff like that. Everything you would need will bump it up to $2000. I know that Alienware overprices some of there stuff but it is worth it. I think I saw the creative labs 5.1 speakers over at their site for $250. I think I have seen the same speakers for much less than that. I think this same computer was about $3300 a few months ago. Like the speakers I would probably buy seperately. Maybe buy a moniter seperately too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stormcrow 0 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 The best is one is a custom built rig by your own hands. No prefab, even Alienware, can beat that. I agree , I have rebuilt my ######ty Packard Bell and it is a different machine completely. I was ready to throw the towel in on my machine, but it runs sweet as now, new GF4, 80G HD, ASUS mo-bo,Audigy Sound card......all for a minimal cost. I would go with the advice of Soto and the rest, save your cash and spend the savings on something else, not only that, you'll learn more about your machine and how to fix it. ASUS do some very sweet and cost effective mo-bo's Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zebb 7 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 My new rig is : Mobo: Asus A7V8X-X Ram: 1Gb Graphics card: Creative FX 5900 Ultra 256mb I still have my old 60Gb HDD but im on the look out for a new 120Gb version, and i kept my 5.1 creative live sound card, all of this new gear was bough off ebay or the web for a total of about £400.00 and installed by me with very little previous experience, although as long as you prepare everything before you start and work methodically anyone could do it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KRP 56 92 Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 A64 3200: $443 GA-K8VT800M: $110 1gb Kingston PC3200: $230 Radeon 9800Pro 128mb: $364 Total: $1147 You got to buy more that that. Need case, power supply, fans, and other stuff like that. Everything you would need will bump it up to $2000. Your right about that. I priced about every part that an Alienware system had at New Egg and you didn't save anywhere near as much as everyone seems to be talking about if you built it yourself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RooK 0 Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 Apparently you missed the whole bit below the prices: Now, just gut your old system for other components and you're fixed up. Any way you look at it, even with a new case, nice speaker system etc, you're still going to land under the $2900 mark. When building a PC, you save money by carrying over old, but good (not outdated) components and not buying ones you won't use. If you build it exactly like the Alienware PC with all new components, you'll probably spend the same amount, but still have a better PC overall due to it being custom built. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SealTeam6 0 Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 If you're both in the USA and UK and want to buy a new gaming rig, checkout Voodoo PC, if you want the best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KRP 56 92 Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 If you're both in the USA and UK and want to buy a new gaming rig, checkout Voodoo PC, if you want the best. Check them out alright just don't look at their prices or you'll faint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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