Budget pc upgrades

[imported_Xaazier]

Hi, I was told to come to anandtech to ask for some recommendations about upgrading my pc to run World of Warcraft ..

current pc
1GHz Athlon Thunderbird
KT7-Raid motherboard w/ kt133 chipset
512MB pc133
Geforce 4 ti 4200 128MB
Sound Blaster Live
Enlight 7237 case w 300 watt PS

looking to upgrade but unfortunately have only a budget of 400 dollars so I was looking at upgrading motherboard cpu and ram and keeping the rest , was thinking this...

$120 AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache
$130 1GB Ram generic pc 3200 DDR
$80 Chaintech VNF3-250

$330 Total plus shipping so about 350

but will my PSU still be good enough for this combo? video card is the newest component so dont want to upgrade that yet, maybe next year.
On the other hand I was thinking..

$85 Abit NF7-S
$90 AMD Mobile Athlon 2500+ 266FSB
$130 1GB PC3200 DDR

$305 or after shipping about 320


the faster the cpu the better but 2500 or higher is fine. I need 1GB of ram though, any other suggestions? I cant go past 400 because this is tax return money and I wont have any spare cash until next years tax return

 

[masshass81]

edit: dont listen to me, thought AGP 4x cards were not compatible w/ 8x slots

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: masshass81
If you upgrade with those parts, either way, you will have to buy a new graphics card. Your current card it only AGP 4X, those mobos are AGP 8X.

You're mistaken. An AGP 4x card works in an 8x slot, and vice versa.

 

[Azndude51]

Go with the A64 route that you said. It's better to upgrade to the best parts now so you don't have to do it again later.

 

[imported_Xaazier]

thanks
any other opinions ? im thinking the a64 route too and im probably going to order by tomorrow night. doubt the upcoming price cuts will affect the low end a64s..

 

[Wags1974]

You can get all that and a new psu, I suggest a quality 50-75$ one for your needs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1518323&enterthread=y