I'm still using a Geforce Ti4200 with my P4 2.4 on an ASUS P4PE, 1 GB RAM, 350W Q-TEC power supply. Now that the 9800 pro is obtainable for about

Hi John, a 9800pro will function perfectly well with your mainboard chipset and 4xAGP shouldn't make much of a difference. The only thing which is holding you back a little bit -and I bet you know- is your CPU. Compared to your Ti4200 it will definitely be an upgrade and you will be able to use AA as far as your CPU allows. The only 'but' I can think of, are MSI's 9800pros. About a year ago they used over 100W and were running extremely warm. Maybe MSI has corrected this? A beauty is HIS' IceQ model which pushes the hot of the adapter out of the case (and covers the neighboring PCI slot). Hope this answers your question. Good luck and kind regards Jaap

Hi JaapThanks for the reply and advice. So is that a no to the 6600gt?The 9800 pro I have seen going cheaply is the Sapphire version. As far as the CPU is concerned, one thing I've never been clear about, is it possible to just whack in another CPU without reinstalling Windows. I would have thought not, and even though I did build the present rig myself I wouldn't risk trying without knowing I'd plenty of time on my hands and everything backed up.John

Hi John >>So is that a no to the 6600gt?<< Well, not necessarily. Technically it would be the easiest if you went with another Geforce so you wouldn't have to swap drivers, etc. OTOH, the 6600 and 6600GT are only 128-bit cards and the 9800pro is a 256-bit model. Personally, I think it's better to have a 256-bitter taking it to the resolution you're looking at (and opinions are controversial!). The Sapphire should be ok. Another detail is both GPU-types have shortcomings, Atis have a tendency to shimmer and Geforces don't like AA-ing clouds and sometimes have troubles with water textures. Updating P4PE mainboards requires a bit of investigation. Some boards will not support later P4s. Besides, taking it to say 3GHz will not make a huge difference and result in maybe 1.5-2.5 extra frames if you're getting 20fps now. Btw, changing the CPU does not require a fresh OS install. I'ld say, save the CPU money for a real upgrade and the display adapter is indeed the best thing you can do. Here's a site where you can check GPU-specs, if you scroll to the bottom you'll find a link for the same in Nvidia: http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?locat...&var1=88&var2=1When swapping Nvidia --> Ati or the other way around, please always make sure you completely clean out the old drivers if you don't want to encounter anomalities. Greg 'Soarpics' has written a couple of excellent posts on the subject. Maybe your shop agrees to let you test a 6600GT and bring it back if there isn't much of an improvement? Please feel free if you have further questions. Good luck and kind regards Jaap

On a 2,4 pc you will see some difference in not so complex airplanes and very little in more complex ones. After having gone that route I'd say its better instead to put your money in a cpu upgrade and keep your card for a while if you can. On my old system going from a 4200 to a 6600gt did little until I got my new cpu. Having said that I think that a 6600gt is better than the 9800pro. At least according to the benchmarks. Plus its one generation newer.Oh, and hi Jaap :)Regards,

Well I took the plunge and bought the 9800pro for

Hi John, thanks for the feedback, great news. I'm glad it all went well and met your expectations. The PSU shouldn't be anything to worry about, just make sure you connected the display adapter to a seperate lead. I wish you heaps of fun, good luck and kind regards Jaap