rec.autos.simulators

System: P4 2.2, 512Mb, WinXP etc.
Current video card: GeForce 4200Ti

There's up to 150 in the pot but I want to spend it on something that's
well matched to this system. I'm looking for improved frame rates/resolution
in F1C, GTR (when it arrives) etc. Also has to be AGP so the latest GF6600
and ATI X700 are out. Beyond that what do you suggest? Should I wait for
these two cards to push prices on other cards down?

Any responses appreciated, as is any advice on where to source in the UK
(high street or internet.)

Thanks in advance

Rick.

imo right now I'd wait for an AGP 6600 but you can easily afford an
nVidia 5900 or just about stretch to a 128Mb ATi 9800 pro. Either would
comfortably take anything a 2.2 P4 can throw at it and more.

otoh the 4200 is a good card & probably not fully stretched by your CPU.
See what the January sales bring ;-)

Malc.

Really? I thought that the 4200 was the component most in need of upgrading.
Would any of the newer cards  give me enough extra power for the money, or
would it be better spent elsewhere within the system?

Cheers,
Rick.

This is just imo, but if upgrade the CPU or the graphics card (one but
not the other) you'll still be disappointed.

Assuming your mobo can take say a 3.0 or 3.2 P4 that'll cost you about
150 ish too, but you'd probably get more of a boost by spending your
150 on a low-spec (ie features) but top-range (ie GPU) graphics card.

I guess you'll probably end up wanting to upgrade both assuming your
motherboard allows for it.

I went through a similar upgrade a while back. I had an Athlon XP2000 &
Gf4200, I bought my current XP3000 to replace it & although 3dmark &
everything said my PC was faster, it didn't feel much different.
Eventually I upgraded the graphics to a 5900 & right now everything is
good. Tried the old XP2000 with the 5900 & it was subjective, but of the
two 120-odd upgrades the graphics card gave more of a boost on it's
own, but both together transformed my PC.

You have a good match with your 2.2 P4 & 4200 and either a CPU or
graphics card would be a good choice, but if it were my system I'd get
the graphics card first but only as the first part of a two-part
upgrade. 512Mb RAM is fine, but then RAM is cheap so upgrade that if you
find you need it as & when.

If your mobo won't take a faster CPU (or not enough of a step up to make
it worthwhile) you're looking at another 80-100 for that plus major
surgery on your PC. If you are at the stage where you are considering a
mobo, CPU & graphics card upgrade you may as well wait to for it all in
one go & take advantage of the latest technology. If you only plan to
change one thing though, graphics card is the way to go imo.

Malc.

If you motherboard allows it you could just overclock your 2.2 rather than
buying another CPU. It's nearly certain it will run at 2.7, very possibly
at 3.0 as well by just changing FSB. No voltage adjustemtns needed.
Personally, I'm a bit cautious about changing the voltage, so I stay
conservative and don't overclock more than 50%.

Alex.

SO here I sit, wondering... change the MB, or go ahead and try one of the
newer gfx cards, as my 4600 does a nice job, I just would like some more
"eye candy" at times...

Rick Catton enlightened us with:

    So the newer cards arent too "limited"  by 4xagp slots then either I
hope?  I sure like the "promise" of the 6600 Gf cards...  Hop it al comes
out that way.

So another question, back in the day, Xtasy cards were decent built and
priced, so who (brand) took thier place?  I use pricewatch so I see some
brands are cheap, where ASUS is usually high end.  Id like middle of the
road, I guess.

Ken MacKay enlightened us with: