I just built another PC last night.

 

My Old PC (I built in 2003):

Athlon XP 2200+

1GB RAM DDR 266MHz

120GB HDD ATA100

Ati Radeon 9600 128 PRO

 

My New PC (built last night, finished installing software at 1:30am)

Athlon 64 3500+

1GB RAM DDR 400

120GB HDD ATA100

ATI Radeon x1600 512MB PRO

 

My old PC scored 9000 points in 3dMark2001 where my new PC scored 17500 points. Even though this is a vast improvement I was hoping for over 20000 points. Im wondering if this could be because of the graphics card. I got it for £100 which is a bargain and does deliver great performance for a low price.

 

Does anyone else have this card?

I'd say it's definitely the graphics card or the ram youre using.

 

I have a Athlon 64 4400+ with 1Gb Ram but a shit ATI x800 card. Let's the whole system down unfortunately, it's something I def need to replace.

 

At the end of the day it's just numbers, if it runs the games you like then don't worry! :)

I have a relatively old P4 CPU overclocked from 2.8 to 3.2 ghz, 1.5GB RAM. But with an ATI XT850PE gfx card the PC runs fine in all games.

I'd say it's definitely the graphics card or the ram youre using.

 

I have a Athlon 64 4400+ with 1Gb Ram but a shit ATI x800 card. Let's the whole system down unfortunately, it's something I def need to replace.

 

At the end of the day it's just numbers, if it runs the games you like then don't worry! :)

 

Its definately not the RAM as its made by Crucial and comes with a lifetime guarentee. I checked their website and is compatible with my motherboard. Also, it is at the correct speed, which is 200MHz Double Date Rate (400MHz) PC3200.

 

The x1600 graphics card is the best card I have found in the x1000 series that supports AGP x8. All the higher models are now the new PCI format.

 

I havent tried it with any proper games yet, gonna install Halflife 2 and Halflife 2 episode one tonight, which I know will work fine as it did on my last PC.

I will also try running the F.E.A.R demo, which was a bit notchy on my last PC!

Different RAM chips perform differently dude, if you want a really quick PC then you wana buy really expensive RAM.

 

But, since you mentioned the card it's definitely that. PCI Express is the way forward and while AGP is cheaper, it is inferior and will definitely affect your performance compared to a more expensive PCIE card.

 

What put you off PCI Express?

 

Good luck on your demos :)

I wanted to upgrade my PC to reasonable spec at a reasonable cost.

I also stayed with my 120GB ATA100 (100mb/s) hard drive. I could have gone for the SATA 150mb/s drive but again its more money!

 

I paid £280 for this lot:

 

Athlon 64 3500+

Gigabyte GAK8NS-939 motherboard

1GB RAM DDR 400

ATI Radeon x1600 512MB PRO

 

(BARGAIN)

 

I already had a new Antec Power supply, SB Live sound card, NEC DVD-RW, Sony CD/RW, Sorround sound speakers with sub etc. So I only needed the main components!

 

Its all running sweet!

the ATi X1600 is a good card but you won't notice a speed jump but it does hang in at higher res. Also 3Dmark01 is old hat your card is DX9 so try 3Dmark03, 05 and 06

 

I wouldnt be to bothered with Benches as they never tell you "real world" performance.

 

Put it this was your new rig should handle anything you throw at it, Oblivion, F.E.A.R etc...

 

Don't forget to up your AGP apparature in BIOS to 256MB

the ATi X1600 is a good card but you won't notice a speed jump but it does hang in at higher res. Also 3Dmark01 is old hat your card is DX9 so try 3Dmark03, 05 and 06

 

I wouldnt be to bothered with Benches as they never tell you "real world" performance.

 

Put it this was your new rig should handle anything you throw at it, Oblivion, F.E.A.R etc...

 

Don't forget to up your AGP apparature in BIOS to 256MB

 

Cheers for this mate

 

But why 256MB, surely I need to set the AGP apparature to 512MB?

hehe hadn't noticed you were using 3DMark01. As woody says, definitely use the latest one - it has a sick fight sequence video with loads of storm trooper stylee guys. then this badass machine gunner blows them all the **** up hehe :D

I was only using the old version (3dmark01) to compare it to my old PC as my old one was too old to run 3dmark05.

 

I did try 3dmark05 and scored 4100

 

But as you say, they're only numbers! :D

AGP APP has nowt to do with Graphics card memory it is to do with System memory, rule of thumb

 

256MB RAM = Get a life and a decent PC (LOL) AKA AGP 64

512MB RAM = AGP AP 128

1024MB RAM = AGP AP 256

2048MB RAM = AGP AP 512