pete159

Hi everyone. i just got the ghost recon demo and its clear I need to upgrade. i'm hoping its just a better video card i need, right now i have the ATI 9600XT 128 meg all in wonder radeon as i like watching tv on the comp to so keep that in mind when advising
here are my current system specs and i want to spend less then $500 canadian, or 400 usd

Operating System System ModelWindows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Processor a Main Circuit Board b3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. P4P800SE Rev 2.xx
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Drives Memory Modules c,d370.08 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
161.71 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8162B [CD-ROM drive]
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

ST3120022A [Hard drive] (120.03 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 5JT1GEAZ, rev
Slot 'DIMM0' has 512 MB (serial number SerNum0)
Slot 'DIMM1' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM2' has 512 MB
Slot 'DIMM3' is Empty Local Drive Volumes c: (NTFS on drive 0)41.94 GB5.43 GB freed: (NTFS on drive 1)250.06 GB94.60 GB freef: (NTFS on drive 0)41.94 GB32.38 GB freeg: (NTFS on drive 0)36.14 GB29.29 GB free
DisplayStandard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] ALL-IN-WONDER 9600 SERIES (Omega 3.8.231) [Display adapter]
ALL-IN-WONDER 9600 SERIES - Secondary (Omega 3.8.231) [Display adapter]
BenQ T903 [Monitor] (19.1"vis, March 2005)Bus Adapters MultimediaATI Remote Wonder Controller
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D7
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller ATI T200 Unified AVStream Driver
Creative Game Port
Creative SB Audigy 2 (WDM)Communications Other Devices1394 Net AdapterMarvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T Adapter, Copper RJ-45[color=green] [/color]Server: Physical Address: 00:11:2F:22:0ED : OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Logitech-compatible Mouse PS/2
USB Root Hub (4x)

Dyre Straits

I upgraded from my 9600 Pro to the current X800 XL and have been tremendously pleased. I'm sure you can do even better within the budget you've set.

The X800 XL has 256 MB onboard and 16 Pixel Pipelines. I'd suggest at least the 256 MB VRAM and the most number of P/Ps you can afford.

I've played some pretty demanding games on this rig in my sig.

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Falstaff

got an 800 as well...
but ya know for a few sheckles, you could switch to an Nvidia product that might please you, not that I want you to think that either is a good or bad choice, the fact that you have an ALL in Wonder right now begs a large number of questions...
like why did you get one in the first place?

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pete159

well i watch Tv on the computer with it, as well as capture video, but mainly its just being able to hook up the cable tv and have full access to TV as well as gaming.
Should i also get more RAM? 1 stick of 1 gig or 512x2?
What kind of ram do i need im not even sure
im thinking of this video card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14075
and here is a list of RAm, what are some suggestions?
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...minorcatid=105

Dyre Straits

I also have enjoyed all the AIW cards I've had over the years. If I didn't have two computers, my only one would have an AIW, too!

I think that AIW 800 would be a good choice.

Also, I'm very eager to get another 1 GB of RAM for my own game rig. Prices are so tempting now, I don't feel it would be a bad option to consider.

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niceguyrichy

I've got an X800XT AIW 256mb that does the job nicely, but if there's any chance you could upgrade to pci-e then an X1800XL AIW is well within your budget, and would be a huge upgrade

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Falstaff

ditto.....PCI-e

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nicnik

even the 1800xt would be within that budget + pcie board, think i saw a very cheap 512mb oem version the other day on newegg.

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pete159

Will this RAM work with my system?, right now i i have 2 slots of Non-parity DDR PC3200 512x2

http://search.ncix.com/displayproduc...acture=CORSAIR

and i'm thinking of this video card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=ATI

Dyre Straits

Please excuse me if you're already aware of this, BUT, you cannot install a PCI Express video card into a motherboard that only supports AGP. So, while it's a good suggestion to move to a PCI Express system, that would entail a new motherboard and likely a few other things. That would, in turn, likely push you over your budget.

As mentioned above, the AIW X800 you were considering would be a nice upgrade from your current 9600. But, to go to PCI express, you're talking more money.

Just to make things clear.

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pete159

doh!, ok well no pci card then.
how about this card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=ATI

and do i need more then 1 gig ram?, what is compatible with the ram i have now which is Non-parity DDR PC3200 512x2
the ram is about 2 years old will it be campatible with ram i buy today?, should i get all new ram? i have an AUUS P4800 SE motherboard by the way.

Tipstaff

That video card would work for you (good price too).

As for the ram, while you don't really need it, it can help in some situations. Now, since you are already using dual channel (2x512mb in slot 1, and 3) you would need to buy 2 more 512mb in order to keep the dual channel (by that I mean if you buy a 1gb stick, and put that into your system it will kick over to single channel mode, and you'd lose the speed advantage). Also, exactly the way you typed it is what you should be buying (DDR PC3200, non-parity).

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pete159

how does this ram look
http://search.ncix.com/displayproduc...(BY%20KINGSTON)

Dyre Straits

In all honesty, I had Kingston prior to getting my current Corsair. The Kingston went bad after only about 3 months. I've had this Corsair for over 10 months now and am totally pleased with it. I'm not saying that Kingston RAM is a bad choice, though. I'm only saying that mine went bad very soon.

Corsair TwinX XMS is really good.

However, if it were me, I'd try to find the same thing that you currently have in your system. Otherwise, you might risk disabling the Dual Channel mode.

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Tipstaff

I would even go with Corsairs Value lineup such as the VS1GBKIT400 kit which is a 2x512 kit, with ram CAS timings of 2.5 (they also have a VS1GBKIT400C3 kit with CAS 3.0 timings). Unlinke eveyone elses Value lines (with the exception OCZs) these don't suck.

Kingstons Value line is ok, but they are damn picky about the motherboards they run in (they work great with actual Intel made boards with the exception of the D101GGC board), and they are even more pickier about clock timings (the D101GGC board specifically has this problem). Even though they have kits they are NOT matched pair (ie. tested as such), but are rather picked and packaged toghether from the same batch the manufacturer sent to Kingston (Kingston doesn't make their ram btw, but rather gets someone else to make it for them, and as such their memory chips can be from different manufacturers from batch to batch). As I mentioned I'm running into this very issue with the Intel D101GGC board where the ram timings are just causing a problem when I put 2 sticks in (no matter what the size). Consistantly the system will lockup upon rebooting. Put in the Corsair VS1GBKIT400 sticks, and problem solved.

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OmegaRED

Pete do not get an X800 if you plan on playing GR: Advanced Warfighter it chugs...barely playable for me.

That AIWX800XT you posted is 359 CDN....and at tigerdirect they have a Geforce 7900GT for 339 Canadian! I'm getting that card so I can finally play Warfighter and get some decent eyecandy in Oblivion.

Use the extra cash to upgrade your Mobo or Power supply if needed. That card can overclock damn near to 7900 GTX levels and beats an ATi 1800XT but its way cheaper.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...Tab=0&NoMapp=0

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pete159

ok so I'll get this RAM
http://search.ncix.com/displayproduc...acture=CORSAIR
but if that ATI is not good enough I need something that will let me watch TV still as well as get good gaming. So what are my options, a gaming card and a seperate TV card?..also i cant use a PCI card im told it has to be AGP, here's a list of cards that are AGP, any suggestions?
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...bminorcatid=49

OmegaRED

The 7800GS is currently the best AGP card but if you upgrade to a budget motherboard like Asrock you can use your AGP AIW card and PCI-X 7900 at the same time. You could get a 7900GT+Asrock motherboard for under 500CDN

Don't worry about watching tv the 7900GT comes with a dongle for HDTVs or S-video connections.


You've got a gig of dual channel ram already that should be enough for any game till you have extra cash.

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Tipstaff

Only thing is there is no coax for cable support, which means running a VCR through the system, and so fourth.

I would say that you're better of sticking with the AIW you've choosen unless you are going to switch over to PCI-E (PCI Express). That would entail buying a new CPU, motherboard, and the video card. Now, this might not be a bad route to go since you'd get a newer motherboard that would support the latest CPUs, and a newer video card slot. You can even use the ram you currently have if you buy a board that uses it along with the newer CPU/video card sockets. The AIW X800XL PCI-E card runs about the same amount of money as the AGP version, and if you went Intel again a 3Ghz CPU (new socket LGA775), and motherboard would run you about $300-400 combined depending on the board you go with ($200 for the CPU, $100-200 for the board). So, for a little extra you'd be able to upgrade to more current technology, as well as insure the possiblity of future upgrade plans. As it is your very limited to what you can do.

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pete159

lets say i just do the RAM and video card now and not bother with anything else, whats the best way to get good gaming and TV watching ability.
[color=#800080]http://search.ncix.com/displayprodu...facture=CORSAIR[/color]

OmegaRED

If you are going to keep your current board and cpu I would get:

- 7800GS AGP
- ATI TV Wonder Pro tv tuner
- 2 more 512mb sticks of whatever ram you have to make it 2 gig total. I'm assuming you have dual channel ram and 4 sticks would still let you run dual channel.

I read a new AGP card is coming out from either the 7900 or X1800/1900 series from a 3rd party vendor if this is true it might be worth waiting and get that AGP card instead.

Or do like Tipstaff said and upgrade it all, in the longrun that is the better choice.

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pete159

ok this is what i think i'll go with, unless its a bd idea to get a "open box" video card instead of brand new?

Corsair Value Select PC3200 1GB 2X512MB DDR400 184PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit</FONT> [color=#669900][/color][color=#333333] [/color][color=#333333] [/color]$105.57can [color=black]Open Box/Refurbished [/color]ATI All In Wonder Radeon X800 XT AGP 256MB GDDR3 VGA DVI VIVO Video Card Retail</FONT>
OPEN BOX ITEM - FINAL SALE - This product has a 30 day warranty from NCIX.com. No returns or exchanges for this item. [color=#669900][/color][color=#333333] [/color][color=#333333] [/color]$305.44can

Dyre Straits

As long as they'll stand behind that 30-day warranty I see no reason to hesitate. Just be sure to hang onto your current AGP card just in case there is a problem.

Corsair RAM is a good choice...and I've come to prefer it over Kingston any day.

Go for it!!

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pete159

thanks for your help everyone, just paid for it, I'll let you know how it turns out

Tipstaff

Be sure to register the AIW card with ATI as soon as you get it (you can do so on their site). Even though you will only get a 30 day warranty from NCIX you may be eligable for the full warranty from ATI directly... even if it is a refurb.

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