End-of-Lifecycle upgrade

[drone]

Just about ready to build up a new machine, and I'm looking at updating my old one so it's not as pathetic as it currently is. I've been mainly playing games on my SO's laptop lately, but this machine will likely remain in service as the network printer service and oldies game machine for for a while. Since I'm stuck with the motherboard (due to XP activation), I can get a faster processor, more memory, and a better video card, and I can get them pretty cheap since this is all old tech anyway. The motherboard (Asus A7V8X) is SocketA, with an AGP video slot.

Rule #1 - this box must be able to run MTW
Rule #2 - this box MUST be able to run MTW. I don't know if my new machine will be able to (Vista, video driver issues, etc.)

My mobo can support up to a Athlon XP 3000+, so I'll be digging around on eBay for one soon. I'll probably be kicking it up to 2GB RAM as well.

So that leaves the video card. I've been looking at the ATI Radeon X1650PRO 512MB AGP video card. Anybody know if this runs MTW, and if it's a decent card in general? Any other cards out there you can recommend?

As as aside, does anyone know of a laptop company that still offers XP? I'm debating desktop/laptop for my new machine. And, yes, I am a Vista hater.

[Ramses II CP]

MTW is very friendly to cards by today's standards. This is my old box and I put a bottom of the barrel Geforce 6200 card in it a few months ago that cost me $30 at Fry's and it does just fine with the first Med. Total War, and Shogun for that matter. As long as you aren't 'upgrading' to Vista on your old box that card is probably overkill for MTW.

[drone]

MTW is very friendly to cards by today's standards. This is my old box and I put a bottom of the barrel Geforce 6200 card in it a few months ago that cost me $30 at Fry's and it does just fine with the first Med. Total War, and Shogun for that matter. As long as you aren't 'upgrading' to Vista on your old box that card is probably overkill for MTW.

No plan to upgrade to Vista, like I said this box will remain for playing the oldies. My current video card (Radeon 9700 Pro) runs MTW fine, what I'm looking for is extra performance for other games, while not running into the driver problems seen in MTW with newer cards. I don't particularly want to upgrade to a new card and then be forced to run old drivers on it just for MTW.

[R'as al Ghul]

So that leaves the video card. I've been looking at the ATI Radeon X1650PRO 512MB AGP video card. Anybody know if this runs MTW, and if it's a decent card in general? Any other cards out there you can recommend?

As as aside, does anyone know of a laptop company that still offers XP? I'm debating desktop/laptop for my new machine. And, yes, I am a Vista hater.

Hi drone,

I've the ATI 1600 PCIe 512 (Hypershare memory, 256 MB real RAM).
I'm very satisfied with this card. It has shader 3 support and even runs M2 on almost highest settings. Medieval 1 runs without problems at all at 1600*1200. Generally I think that ATI cards give you fewer problems with regard to Total War games. BTW, get those 2 Gigs, you won't regret it.

I've bought an Acer notebook for my Girlfriend recently and it came with XP Prof. Asus and some others also offer XP. You won't be too happy with a notebook if you want to play a lot. Get a decent desktop and check out if the new Asus EeePC (or one of the new cheap subnotebooks) is something for you.

What's that about the XP activation?

R'as

[drone]

I've the ATI 1600 PCIe 512 (Hypershare memory, 256 MB real RAM).
I'm very satisfied with this card. It has shader 3 support and even runs M2 on almost highest settings. Medieval 1 runs without problems at all at 1600*1200. Generally I think that ATI cards give you fewer problems with regard to Total War games. BTW, get those 2 Gigs, you won't regret it.

I've had pretty good success with both the ATI 9*** and X-series running MTW. When I bought the laptop for my girl I made sure to get one with the ATI card. The X1650 should do well, and it should function as a decent second box for LAN games

I've bought an Acer notebook for my Girlfriend recently and it came with XP Prof. Asus and some others also offer XP. You won't be too happy with a notebook if you want to play a lot. Get a decent desktop and check out if the new Asus EeePC (or one of the new cheap subnotebooks) is something for you.

I don't get to play a lot, theoretically I'm an old man with responsibilities. The portability of a decent gaming laptop would help some, the missus won't complain (too much) if a laptop is set up on the den table. She complains loudly when I'm holed up in my office playing games, not so much when I'm doing it in front of her and listening (supposedly) to her talk. So the laptop decision is more of a domestic tranquility choice. I'll check out Acer again.

What's that about the XP activation?

I've heard you can't really change the mobo without getting another license, the XP activation thinks that too many devices have changed and balks. If this is not the case, feel free to chime in.

[R'as al Ghul]

I'll check out Acer again.

Check the 5220. We've that with one Gig RAM and it's decent.

I've heard you can't really change the mobo without getting another license, the XP activation thinks that too many devices have changed and balks. If this is not the case, feel free to chime in.

Hmm. Not sure there. If that is the first time you've changed the hardware and the first time you need to reactivate, then it should be okay?
Don't take my word for it, I'm not certain how that procedure goes.
What a hassle, you've a legit copy and a serial key....but still.
Makes you wonder if an evaluation copy wouldn't be easier to handle.
Anyway, certainly someone here has gone through a reactivation before?

R'as

[ReiseReise]

I am in the same situation you are.

Running AthlonXP 3000+, ATI 9800 Pro, 512 RAM

Looking to start from scratch in a few months and make this one my media box.

In the meantime, I REALLY want to be able to play M2TW in all its glory, so I decided to put some of my tax rebate towards a small upgrade.

Tomshardware says X1650PRO is the best AGP card for <$100 as of February. I picked one up yesterday at Newegg for $70 with free shipping. I also plunked down $80 for 2gb ram. Hopefully that will keep me happy until I build a new rig.

I only buy from Newegg, I will sing their praises all day. Same day shipping and their customer service is THE BEST. I bought a processor from them a few years ago which turned out DOA (well, it might have been slightly AFTER arrival ) and it was an absolute breeze to get a replacement. Plenty of their customers reviews are of the tune "I bought such and such, it died after 2 months, Newegg was awesome and sent me a new one without a hassle." You can't beat a 12 month replacement guarantee on almost everything they sell. Their slogan is "Once you know, you newegg" and it is very true.

[drone]

Tomshardware says X1650PRO is the best AGP card for <$100 as of February. I picked one up yesterday at Newegg for $70 with free shipping. I also plunked down $80 for 2gb ram. Hopefully that will keep me happy until I build a new rig.

I just did what you did Tuesday night. I ordered 2 GB of RAM and the HIS ATI X1650 Pro 512MB IceQ from Newegg. Haven't ordered a replacement processor yet, I was looking at some benchmarks and got confused. The 2800+ Thoroughbred did better than the 3000+ Barton in a lot of performance tests.

I looked at the X1650 XT cards, but couldn't really justify the cost considering the future of the machine. The Pro should work fine, and the extra system RAM will be a godsend.