Upgrading Computer

I’m planning to upgrade my son’s Pentium II computer with the following components. Please give constructive comments for improvements, realizing that this is my limit in regard to costs:

MOBO "“ MSI K7N2 Delta-L or MSI KT6V-LSR or MSI KT4VL

Graphics Card --
RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB DDR AGP 8X W/TV-OUT/DVI or RADEON 9600 256MB DDR WITH CRT/DVI/TV-OUT or RADEON 9800SE 128MB W/TV OUT

CPU "“ AMD Athlon 2500+ Barton

Thank you,
Barry

 

Get a good case with lots of fans.

 

Barry,

I think you need to "reframe" your perspective of what you're doing. Is there anything on the old machine that you're actually going to keep. Maybe the case...at most? You don't want to keep the power supply if it's out-of-date. The memory on your P2 won't work on your new system. So, it sounds more like your building a new system. You can even get a nice case for under $50-60.

You'll be fine with the parts you've selected. I'd go with the 9600 Pro (128MB) unless you need to cut your budget and get a 9600SE. But I'd avoid the 9600SE at all costs unless you don't game - and I'm betting you do based on your video card choice and the fact that it's for your son. A video card with 256MB will do nothing for you. It has a minor effect when running games under extreme conditions (1600x1200 resolution and all eye-candy on) but your rig won't be able to come anywhere near the specs needed for that.

MSI is a top-tier board maker and has many devout fans. You can get a budget Nforce 2 board for $60 and it will serve you quite well with good performance. Get at least 512MB of ram (at least PC3200).

If you need some part recommendations, I'm sure many here will oblige...

Gary

 

I had already bought him a new case with PSU, but wanted to buy some time and just put in my old mobo w/ PII. Unfortunately, I messed up the bios when I flashed it to accept his 80GB HD. I don't feel it is worth the $25 to fix the bios, so decided to upgrade the rest now. I already have the RAM, but I wanted to get recommendations on what would be most cost effective and give him the quality he is used to, using my computer. He is quite satisfied with that, but I can no longer find my graphics card. Is there a reason to upgrade his mobo beyond my KT4VL? The others I mentioned are similar in price. I was already leaning towards the 9600 Pro, but don't know enough about the others to know if they would be of value.
Thanks for the help,
Barry

 

I'd say Jr has a smart Dad - generous one too. Often its much smarter to head down the path you've selected vs throwing good money after bad. Disregard my last post in your BIOS thread even though it was meant as something to chuckle over.

 

Hi Barry,

I am researching video cards myself. From what I am reading the 9600 and 9600SE are not able to unleash the full potential of the graphics processor (GPU). The PRO model can. The PRO models now seems to be being phased out for the newer XT models and these seem to be similarly priced. So see if you can get a 9600XT if possible.

The 9800SE is a better GPU, but has the same limitation without the extra PRO/XT technology.

The information I read says that 128mb of RAM in a video card is fine for all current applications and 256mb is unnecessary (it made no difference under any testing).

Testing though, revealed variations between card manufacturers. If you don't want to take the time to research then maybe an ASUS brand would be likely to give good performance.

From ATI's data:
9600 and 9600SE run at 325mzh Engine Clock; 400mzh Memory Clock.

9600PRO and 9600XT run at 500mzh and 600mzh.(NB these will run hotter, so may need additional case fans.)


If you wish to do some reseach try www.tomshardware.com.

Matt