My FPS rate really, really sux... (CS: Source)

[DonNagual]

Yah, that is a pretty nice system alright. If you can afford that system, the only change I'd recommend is a different PSU. Aspire is known to make questionable PSUs. Get something like this and you can't go wrong:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15513&vpn=TPII-480&manufacture=ANTEC

If you want to make some price cuts, start with the PSU/case combo. Here is a good one with a very reliable PSU in it at a decent price:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15422&vpn=SONATA II&manufacture=ANTEC

Another thought: Downgrade your graphics card to a 6600GT with plans to upgrade later?

 

[Lt. Xenodite]

Yea...but I'd really like to get a clear-panel case like the Aspire X-plorer so nice lol

I wanted the X-Discovery at first but NCIX doesn't have it.

And I'm pretty sure I don't wanna have to spend more money upgrading the video card later after buying a 6600GT.

Thx again for all your help tho.

 

[Lt. Xenodite]

Ok the Athlon 64 3200+ S939 Venice 2.0GHz...

What is the processor speed? 2.0GHz, or is that the FSB speed? My current Celeron is rated 2.4GHz with 400MHz FSB. I don't want a slower CPU (2.0 vs. 2.4GHz)...

Crap...do I need XP 64-bit version too?

Will my current IDE hard drive work on the new SATA2 mboard?
What about my current IDE optical drives?

Anything else I should know before buying anything?

Thank you.

 

[kirock]

The FSB is 200MHz for the 64 series Athlons, then there is the CPU multiplier, which for the 3200 case is 10, thus the 2.0GHz. (200X10). The thing with AMD CPU's is they do the work and speed of a P4 at a lot lower frequency, so much so that the device naming (nomenclature) that AMD uses reflects this. Thus the Athlon64 3200+ is equivalent to the P4 3.2GHz at least. This will blow away your 2.4GHz Celeron.

"Crap...do I need XP 64-bit version too?" No WinXP 32 bit is what everyone uses right now.

Will my current IDE hard drive work on the new SATA2 mboard?
What about my current IDE optical drives?
Yes , but just check how many IDE slots your new mobo says it has.

Cheers.

 

[Lt. Xenodite]

Just in the meantime, should I flash my BIOS to see if anything improves?
Motherboard = DFI NB72-SC
EVEREST says my Award BIOS is dated 11/14/2001 (but manufacturer is Phoenix...) and recommends updating it.
Is this (2nd file) the right one?
http://us.dfi.com.tw/Support/Downlo...D=1004&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&STATUS_FLAG=A&SITE=US
Anything I should know before flashing BIOS? What if it screws up?

 

[kirock]

Hmm, or is it the fourth file escription Support P4 1.6A/1.8A/2.0A/2.4B & P4 Celeron CPU.

If something goes wrong, like a power failure while it's in the middle of this process you're screwed. That's the risk of updating BIOS. If the BIOS is corrupted the PC will not POST. You would then need to take it in and have the Eprom flashed.

If your CPU is running at 2.4GHz I wouldn't bother with the BIOS update. Usually these are for mobo which need an update to support a higher CPU or it gives it a little extra features in the BIOS for small tweaks. If you're good at OCiing and running around in the BIOS then maybe go ahead and update it. If not then prob best to leave it alone.

Cheers.

 

[Lt. Xenodite]

How long does flashing BIOS take? Like if it's like one minute, I'm gonna go for it because I don't think a power outage will come at that exact time that I'm flashing BIOS lol

And I consider myself a PC nerd so I think I know most of what I'm doing in BIOS

I'm probably using this computer as a dedicated Source server when I get my new one so I want it to be pretty good. Still, keeping updated could help my performance a bit.

One more thing:

How long will it take for this PC to get "old"? I don't want to buy a computer, then have to buy another one in like less than a year to keep up w/current technology and game requirements