opinions on upgrade

[richkev]

My current system:

-Intel Core2 6600 2.4GHz
-4GB RAM
-Radeon X1950 Crossfire Edition
-Running Windows XPpro

Question: I am thinking about upgrading my system in the next year. I have
the option of buying another Radeon X1950 to put in crossfire (my
motherboard supports this) for about $100. Is it worth it? Or should I just
save my money for when I decide to upgrade? I play a lot of multiplayer
games online with friends (currently COD4, but they want to get FEAR2 which
I'm not sure I can currently run), Will I get any benefit from crossfire?
Maybe I would be better off getting a new video card, altogether?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Rarius]

My current system:

-Intel Core2 6600 2.4GHz
-4GB RAM
-Radeon X1950 Crossfire Edition
-Running Windows XPpro

Question: I am thinking about upgrading my system in the next year. I
have the option of buying another Radeon X1950 to put in crossfire (my
motherboard supports this) for about $100. Is it worth it? Or should I
just save my money for when I decide to upgrade? I play a lot of
multiplayer games online with friends (currently COD4, but they want to
get FEAR2 which I'm not sure I can currently run), Will I get any benefit
from crossfire? Maybe I would be better off getting a new video card,
altogether?

Thanks for any input.

In general, both SLI and crossfire are both a waste of time and money. You
spend twice as much for two cards and get about 1.5 times the performance.

Looking at your current system I would:
1) Upgrade the CPU to a Q6600 if your motherboard will take it. I did and
improved ArmedAssualt performance immeasurably.
2) Upgrade the graphics card to something like a HD4850

Both of these will cost more than your $100, but any upgrade for that sort
of money you won't really notice the performance improvement.

Rarius

 

[Dave]

My current system:

-Intel Core2 6600 2.4GHz
-4GB RAM
-Radeon X1950 Crossfire Edition
-Running Windows XPpro

Question: I am thinking about upgrading my system in the next year. I have
the option of buying another Radeon X1950 to put in crossfire (my
motherboard supports this) for about $100. Is it worth it? Or should I just
save my money for when I decide to upgrade? I play a lot of multiplayer
games online with friends (currently COD4, but they want to get FEAR2 which
I'm not sure I can currently run), Will I get any benefit from crossfire?
Maybe I would be better off getting a new video card, altogether?

Thanks for any input.

For $100, I would not suggest buying another X1950. For $100, you could
replace your current video card and get better performance. You could get a
HD4830 (great card!) or for a little more, an HD4850, as someone else
suggested.

But looking at your current system, you've already got a dual-core processor
at 2.4GHz (this is a DUAL core, right?). And you've got 4Gigs of RAM. Your
current video card is a little older, but not terrible. Just a little more
video power might get you by for a while. I really wouldn't suggest doing
anything to that system other than upgrading video.

But if it was my system: First, I'd look at the power supply. IF the power
supply is a good name brand, with plenty of power and the right connecters,
I'd consider getting a used X1950 off of Ebay or similar. It's not much of
a risk. Your video performance will improve. You shouldn't have to spend
$100. I'd be aiming for about $60 delivered (watch shipping costs!). I
think this would be worth a shot.

The reason I'd try the used video card first is, you really can't
significantly upgrade your current system without starting over by replacing
everything. But OTOH, your current components are not that weak, hard to
justify the cost of a whole new system at the moment, unless you just want
to do it because you can.
The obvious thing to do would be to upgrade the video, but you don't want to
spend a lot of money on a card for your CURRENT system. Because in a year
or so, you will want to start over anyway. Thus I'd be looking at a cheap
video upgrade to get by the next year or so. Or, what makes the most sense
to me, if your system can support it...a used X1950. -Dave

 

[JR Weiss]

My current system:

-Intel Core2 6600 2.4GHz
-4GB RAM
-Radeon X1950 Crossfire Edition
-Running Windows XPpro

Question: I am thinking about upgrading my system in the next year. I
have the option of buying another Radeon X1950 to put in crossfire (my
motherboard supports this) for about $100. Is it worth it? Or should I
just save my money for when I decide to upgrade? I play a lot of
multiplayer games online with friends (currently COD4, but they want to
get FEAR2 which I'm not sure I can currently run), Will I get any
benefit from crossfire? Maybe I would be better off getting a new video
card, altogether?

You'd be better off with a 3850, 3870, or 4850 card. Crossfire may have an
advantage, but not with 1950s...

 

[jaster]

My current system:

-Intel Core2 6600 2.4GHz
-4GB RAM
-Radeon X1950 Crossfire Edition
-Running Windows XPpro

Question: I am thinking about upgrading my system in the next year. I
have the option of buying another Radeon X1950 to put in crossfire (my
motherboard supports this) for about $100. Is it worth it? Or should I
just save my money for when I decide to upgrade? I play a lot of
multiplayer games online with friends (currently COD4, but they want to
get FEAR2 which I'm not sure I can currently run), Will I get any
benefit from crossfire? Maybe I would be better off getting a new video
card, altogether?

Thanks for any input.

I agree with the others, crossfire isn't all it can be. IIRC, tests
showed the Crossfire and SLI less performance for the money than a single
video. A year from now they might put out even more advanced cpu,video
and mother board combos, ie, Intel and AMD adding better video support to
the cpu, so waiting a year (saving money) might be better. What costs
$100 now might be $50 a year from now or much better performance a year
from now.

As for Fear2 online, I'd try and see if it works with your current PC, if
it doesn't then you'll know what to fix.