Not sure which path to take

[Famez]

My current system is getting fairly old now

P4 1.5
geforce 2 (Its terrible i know)
512 sd ram (ditto)
40 GB hd

Well, I am trying to decide between either doing some upgrades on this current computer, or just building a complete new one, and trying to sell this one off or something. I believe I can put a P4 2.4 Ghz or so in it, and replace the video card with a 9800 pro. Sadly the thing only has old pc133 ram, no new shiny ddr stuff. My other option is of course to just build a new computer. I don't know about putting down a 1000 dollars though on a new computer. That would be a lot of money for me. So would that ram be a big problem if i just did some upgrades ? I could probably put 1 Gig in it if need be. How much of an improvement would a new system be over upgrading this. It's mostly for gaming, plus just general internet stuff and yadda yadda. Any opioins would be appriceated

 

[ssvegeta1010]

If you have a 1.5 Ghz P4 then it is probably (im not sure) a Skt 423 Willamette(sp?) core, if this is so then you cannot do any decent upgrades.

Building a new system is your best option.

 

[Excelsior]

Is it a dell or something of the such? If so..don't upgrade, just build. You could keep the HD if you didn't want buy a new one (but you can get pretty good ones under $100) .

Anway..the guys here are good at putting together a parts list if you give them a max amt to spend.

 

[Famez]

Well its a socket 478 so I think that leaves some room open for upgrading the processor. ( correct me if I'm wrong, I've been out of the computer loop for a while). As far as a new system I was thinking I could probably put in about $1000 in it. Of course some stuff I already have, monitor, sound, and such.

 

[ts3433]

You'd probably have to upgrade your mobo for a chipset to support the 2.4C (especially since you have SDRAM), and since a 2.4C is about the same price now as an A64 2800+, it's a very poor upgrade.

 

[Excelsior]

You could build a good one for up to $1000, definitely.

 

[ComatoseDelirium]

build... BUILD MY PRETTY, a budget conscious intel mobo and pentium would be a pentium 4E 775 socket, with an MSI mobo: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-116-171&depa=0 179$, http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-130-481&depa=1 87$
I built a system for my father with those and some kingston ram 3200 Pc 256 x 2 dual channel and his system flies, plus keeps good temps with only one fan

 

[ComatoseDelirium]

though i'd get better if all you were getting is a cpu, ram and mobo and graphics card for 1000 US

 

[ComatoseDelirium]

the improvement would be.. mind boggling, plus a fresh copy of XP pro with service pack 2 is good, oo..