Recommend me an upgrade!

[exodus454]

My current setup:

A7N8X-E Deluxe
Athlon XP 2500+ w/ volcano 12 EDIT: @3200+
512mb DDR333
Geforce2 MX400
WD 40gb ATA100 (system)
Maxtor 30gb ata133 (music storage)
32x12x4 (read/write/rewrite) cd burner
XP Home

Have ~$200 to shoot, and not sure what area I would gain the most performance in. I'm thinking either more memory, sata HDD or new gfx card (not sure what make/model of any).

I mostly use my system for light-moderate gaming (this video card works, but performance is pitiful), image editing and just surfing the web.

Can anyone make a suggestion as to which area needs the most attention and maybe make a suggestion as to what i should upgrade to?

Thanks!

 

[sniperruff]

gforce4 Ti4200- $50 (once in a while), or $100 for a 9600XT
160gig HD- $60 after rebates, just watch out for sales from major stores like staples, OM and OD
$50- a dual layer dvd burner.

that should give your computer some new life... esp with the video card and hard drive. if you are using integrated sound, a sb live! would help greatly too for about $20.

 

[biostud]

definately a videocard.

 

[Twofootputt]

Video Card Ti-4800 $100
(Assuming you want to stay w/Geforce)
Burner $59

Hard Drive $70
$70 Instant rebate

$230 out the door no wait for rebates

 

[exodus454]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
gforce4 Ti4200- $50 (once in a while), or $100 for a 9600XT
160gig HD- $60 after rebates, just watch out for sales from major stores like staples, OM and OD
$50- a dual layer dvd burner.

that should give your computer some new life... esp with the video card and hard drive. if you are using integrated sound, a sb live! would help greatly too for about $20.

soundstorm works fine for me, so no need to throw money at a soundcard. I've had an audigy before and i think the soundstorm is actually better than it.

as far as video cards go, i've had geforce and radeon cards before (wish i hadnt sold my 9600) and it doesnt really matter to me.

thanks for all the replies, ill take a look at what everyone has posted.

 

[Rip the Jacker]

Originally posted by: biostud
definately a videocard.

 

[ts3433]

$200 could almost get you a 6600GT (AGP ones run about $220). If you'd like to also get your RAM up to 1GB, though, get a used 9700 Pro ($100-130) and an additional stick of Corsair/Mushkin value RAM (may as well get PC3200, since it's usually the same price as lower speed grades today; one 512MB stick should be $70).

 

[GroundedSailor]

1 Video card - big difference
2. More RAM
or if you need more storage then a HDD


Twofootputt both the burner & HDD links point to the same burner.

 

[imported_Intelfanboy]

upgrade your video card.

 

[Rapsven]

Video card.

If you don't/can't spend 20 more for the 6600GT get the 6200 or the 6600.

 

[fibes]

Your $200 upgrade:


Memory


Video card

 

[funggorgor]

videocard if gaming is your major concern