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[Vieo]

I really want to build a new PC, but I've been holding off and waiting for a couple of things: 1)Windows Longhorn(i forget the official name) to hit the market and replacing XP. 2)For CPUs to be sorting themselves out. (64bit and Dual Core the new norm?) 3)For PCs being twice as fast or faster than my current one to be "average".

I'm also holding off for the "next generation" of PC games. The problem is, I don't when this will be or if it already started. Next gen for consoles is next year. Is it the same for PCs or is it when the new video cards come(or the ones after those)? When I say new video cards, I mean the ones that will be replacing the current ones like how GeForceFX series was replaced by GeForce6000's-7000's. What's the next line going to be after the current ones?


Here are my specs:

P4 2.4GHz (533MHz FSB)
1.5GB of DDR333 memory
GeForce6800GT 256MB DDR (4x AGP)
60GB IDE HDD (I think 7200rpm)
Windows XP Home


I've pretty much been able to run HL2 with high settings and no hiccups with this setup. The same goes for Battlefield 2 and GTA:SA. When will my system start showing it's age(The new UNREAL engine?) and could I build a PC twice as fast as my current one without using SLI?


EDIT: And no overclocking. =P

 

[ArcadeStickMonk]

You've got a real GPU bottleneck going on with that CPU.

Faster and on an 800 bus would be better.

 

[Borys]

Heh I think you'll have to wait for another year or so.

My rule of thumb is to upgrade my whole PC if there are PCs at least 3 times faster (in benchmark numbers).

There's really no need to upgrade your rig. No need AT ALL.

On a sidenote - I would like some revolution in PC graphic cards, like say - jump to raytracing cards?

 

[SyNapSe]

Seriously, if you can run all those games with no problems.. then what would you be upgrading for? Is there something you can't run as you would like?

I would wait for one of the "launch" Vista PC's. Hopefully by then the multicore 64 bit processor deals will be set. I really doubt you could get any huge upgrade for now.. more FPS and stuff is about it.

 

[RaymondCarver]

I've got his system except multiple hard drives and an Athlon Barton 2500 non-overclocked. So far, I don't even see the need to purchase an Athlon 3200.




Ideas? Thoughts?

 

[SKluck]

I'm still using Athlon 2800+, 9800pro, 1gig mem. Runs EVERY game in 1280x720 just fine. Why waste money?

As a general rule of thumb, don't upgrade until you HAVE A REASON TO. As in a game that you want to play. IMO if performance at 1024x768, med details is below 20fps... upgrade.

 

[Deku]

Since we're on the subject I might as well post mine

3.0 GHZ P4 HT
Radeon 9600 Pro 128 MB
512 MB DDR PC3200