Need some advice on my next upgrade.

[Howard]

Right now, I've got an Athlon XP 1800+, 512MB PC2100 SDRAM (2 DIMMs), an ECS K7S5A and a GF2 GTS.

What do you suggest I replace those items with? The motherboard should have at least onboard LAN, and I would prefer to stay with AMD.

TIA

 

[DaveSimmons]

What do you want the speed for, gaming? Any budget constraints on CPU or video? What kind of hard drive setup (1, 2, RAID-1)?

 

[Howard]

I didn't list the hard drive because I don't feel the need to upgrade it.

Budget? As low a price as possible, I guess. I don't want to spend any more than I need to to play new-ish games like CS:S.

 

[bob4432]

get a cheap skt939 nf4 board w/pci-e, a64 2800-3000 and 6600gt pci-e with 1GB pc3200. this should be fine for cs:s

 

[DaveSimmons]

Is 1024x768 gaming OK? Then a nv 6600GT for the video. For 1280x1024 an ATI X800XL or nv 6800 GT. For 1600x1200 maybe a 6800 Ultra.

You probably want an nforce4 socket 939 motherboard with PCI-E and an A64 3200+.

You don't need a SLI-capable motherboard.

Which mobo? Somone else will need to pick that, I haven't been following specific models since I plan to keep my P4 3.2C and i875 motherboard for another year or so.

 

[Howard]

1024x768 is fine, although 1152x768 or 1280x960 would be preferred.

Can you tell me why I need PCI-E? And like I said, I don't want to spend too much. I don't see myself playing new games at all (besides CS:S).

 

[imported_Kensai]

PCI-E cards and cheaper now and you'll have an upgrade option in the future.