Quick upgrade question

[Matt2]

Specs at bottom

What would be cheaper/more effective...

CPU/mobo upgrade or video card

I'm already planning on sticking another 512mb stick of memory.

I wanna try and keep the budget to around $250-$300

 

[stevty2889]

512mb more of memory + 6600GT

 

[Soffty]

I would say your CPU / mobo... Get a 64 bit and get an abit motherboard and get excellent cost effective performace. And you said you are getting another 512mb of ram so that would be good.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

More effective for what? What do you do with your computer? (I can't believe no one asked this...). If you plan on doing games, RAM & video card. If you do music, etc., definitely processor & RAM. Maybe even a bigger hd if you can manage it.
Tas.

 

[Matt2]

I definately do gaming more than anything. My current system just can't hack it, I'm guessing I'm being bottle necked more by my video card than CPU, so I've almost got my heart set on a 128mb 6600GT

 

[n7]

You ideally need more RAM, a better CPU, & a better video card.
I would usually start with the video card, but your CPU (Thoroughbred i'm assuming) is really getting up there, particularly with the newer games.

New mobo + CPU with good future upgradability:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130491 - $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103501 - $146

That leaves you with $69 to get the matching 512 dimm of RAM to give you 1 GB.

I would then save up, sell your 9700 Pro, & buy a PCI-e card (X800XL would be my recommendation) when you can afford it.