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is it worth it to upgrade MOBO?
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Posted by: oderus1671
I want to upgrade my video card to the newer 8x ones, but my Shuttle ak31 mobo only supports 2x/4x agp. Would it be worth my time and expense to upgrade the mobo just to have the 8x option? Or is there still some really good 4x video cards out there? I am looking to get the most speed out of this current mobo to save the expense of getting/building a new computer. I have already upgraded the processor from an XP1600 to XP2000, RAM from 256mb to 1.2 gig, sound to Audigy platnium, havent upgraded video yet. Here are my specs:
Shuttle ak31 v.3.1 mobo
1.2 gig RAM (crucial and kingston)
GF3 Ti200
SB Audigy Plat
Western Digital 40gig 7200 rpm hdd
What Im trying to get at is this: Is this system worth upgrading any further, or are there newer options on newer equipment that would outweigh holding on to it? I use this 'puter mostly for high end gaming and internet. Thanks guys in advance!
Posted by: redwench
you really should contact whoever makes shuttle (or ati) and find out if the higher end cards will work on that board. if a 9700 pro or 9800 pro will work, id say grab one, it will transfer to your new comp when you get around to building it. the size of the power supply will be an issue as well.
if you cannot run those cards, id say go for a gf4, ti4200 or 4600.
if your ram would work with the newer boards, id say it was worthwhile to buy a new board. but i dont think your ram is new enough.
Posted by: oderus1671
Thanks for the fast reply redwench. My current RAM is of the pc2100 flavor. (ddr266 i think?) Should work with newer mobos. Getting usable info from Shuttle is as painful as a root canal, so I almost have to rely on user opinion. I really want to switch out the mobo, but Im not too saavy on this because I've never done it before. I think the best I can go on a video card is a GF4, (dont know the ATI comparable), but the specs on the GF3 and the GF4 arent very different. This is my problem. I do know that the 8x video cards are much faster than the 4x ones. Do ya think its worth the trouble swapping out the mobo? Also, i think my power supply is 400w. Know of any ways to check this without tearing the 'puter apart?! Mobo chipsets are also puzzling to me. Nforce, VIA 400, SIS? WHats it all mean! LOL Thanks again!
Posted by: redwench
yes, if youre running 2100 ram, its worthwhile deep sixing that motherboard and getting a new one.
the power supply should be marked on its exterior, either on the back of the case or the side just inside the door. shouldnt require too much hunting. there might be an rms value and a max.
Posted by: Ocean
redwench is dead on
Posted by: The-AoD
Ok, here's the lowdown. You're not sure whether to stuff a new motherboard in there or not depending on the difference between the top end 4x AGP and the topend 8xAGP?
Well figuring you're only running a 2000+ and 266mhz DDR. If I was in your situation I'd go with the best 4x video card you can. As for getting a new motherboard, while using a 266mhz bus, which almost all of the newest boards that support the socket A cpu's can run at 266, it's still quite a drawback. It's the second to lowest DDR bus out there. Whereas 400mhz is faster. Your CPU and RAM will work in them, though just for getting an AGP 8x card would be a difficult choice. Here's the idea, which is a better benefit to you.
Spending 100 bucks on a good motherboard and 300-400 dollars on a new video card.
--OR--
Keeping your current system, and buy the best 4x AGP card you can get for around 150-200 bucks, and have 10-15% lower video performance or so.
Personally, I'd go with the 4x, as it's alot cheaper and you can start saving up towards a complete system later on. Wherein you can build the system around the video card that you want. I personally run an XP 1700+ with a GeForce 4 Ti-4400 and I can play every game title to date with excellent playability. I have no need for an upgrade of a video card just for the "not so major" performance gain .
Either way it's up to you. Figure out exactly what you want to do. If you're willing to buy a motherboard and a video card, just make sure you leave the headroom for higher FSB's and a more powerful processor whenever you want to upgrade those later. Either way is a smart choice. Me, being the budget minded, would still take the lower end video card for now.
Posted by: oderus1671
Thanks for the info ya'll. You have been very helpful. I think, after doing a bunch more searching on the net, that I will just hold on to this system as it is now for a while longer, and just buy/build a new system later on. Im not exactly sure that Im ready to do a mobo swapout just yet. I heard some scary stories about things goin wrong! Besides, my wife says we should pay off the Christmas credit card debt off first! I suppose shes right! Guess that means I will have more $$$ for the new 'puter when Im ready, right? You guys are great! Thanks
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