I need to upgrade.....

[Genesis15]

I have -

Intel Celeron 2.20
1024MB PC2700 (512*2)
Windows XP Professional SP2
80GB Western Digital 7200 8MB
300w Antec True Power II
Aluminum Server Tower
XFX 6600GT 8X AGP 128/128
ASUS P4SDX motherboard (AGP/478)

I am looking to spend as little as possible to update this setup, I was thinking about getting a Intel Core Duo 2, but I'd need DDR2 ram. But buying an X2 would cost a little more.

So what do you guys think? I'm trying not to spend ANYMORE then $250 dollars... I'm thinking of just upgrading my Motherboard / CPU if possible and then upgrading RAM/GPU later on.

 

[DaveSimmons]

What do you want to use the upgraded computer for? Games? Any demanding applications?

Unfortunately, nothing you have is worth keeping for a new gaming system, though you'd get a bit of a jump putting in a 3 GHz P4 sock478.

 

[Genesis15]

No thanks, I don't want anything 478.. it's eigther gotta be 775 or atleast 939 and I now my systems not the greatest for gaming, but my GPU/RAM is still steady enough... I think I could get a decent motherboard/CPU for 250$.

 

[catalysts17az]

Glad you kept your options open to s939. here is what you need to know when it comes to your chip. i have three choices for you to choose from, one being dual core. here they are:
Denmark 170 and here is the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103586
Venus 148, here is the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103596
and the Athlon 64 4000+ but you will need to add a heat sink (Tuniq tower, very worth it) here is the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103037

Now for the motherboard, this is tricky as some of the better board are gone but some are still around here they are:
The DFI LanParty Expert board considered one of the BEST s939 boards (i have one too!) here is the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136166
you may want too look at this board as it comes with integrated graphics i have the TForce version of this board (if you can find the TForce version of it go for it hands down!) here is the link for the Biostar GeForce 6100 mATX.
PM if you have anymore questions or concerns, happy to help!

 

[catalysts17az]

By the way Mother knows best. your motherboard is where it all starts! if i were you i get the EXPERT board before it disappears. i also have it with a Denmark 170 and my TForce board has a Denmark 165 that i am currently using to write these posts. I am happy with these systems and they will hold over till DDRIII hardware comes out. Yes Core2 Duo chips are better, but you really cant go wrong with this setup, by the way, try to get another gig of ram, the expert board is a HIGHLY overclockable board, thats why i have one, and so is the TForce board, but good luck trying to find one (TForce board that is).

 

[moosey]

Socket 939 is dead so I'd take 775 over that. If you still want to use your DDR1 you've got to find a board to accommodate that. Same if you want to keep your AGP card.

If you were planning going w/ DDR2 a processor/mobo combo for ~$250 would be something like this on AM2. This is PCI-E.
Biostar MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138026
X2 4400+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103776

If you did want to go s939 to keep DDR1, here's an example for ~$250 (PCI-E as well)
Asus MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569
X2 4400+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103542