Should I Upgrade?

[Shadow Conception]

Alright, this is my question. My current specs are as follows:

Asus P4VM890 Socket 478 Mobo
Intel P4 3.0GHz w/HT, 800FSB
PCI-E x16 256MB Sapphire Radeon X1950GT
1.25GB DDR400
Fortron Source 450W PSU

I'm looking to upgrade to maybe 2GB DDR, which means I can throw in another stick of 1GB RAM for ~$50 from Newegg.

But I also realize that my CPU is very aged. If I were to buy at all, I'd be on an extremely tight budget (no more than $230 shipped probably, and preferably below $200). So assuming I can take everything out of my system, I composed a 939 system with a dual core CPU. I'd be carrying over all my old stuff except for the stuff below obviously.

939

Foxconn NF4UK8AA-8EKRS 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813186037
($66.99)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Toledo 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103053
($69.99)

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler ? Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185125
($19.99)

Total: $156.97

I have another leftover 256MB stick, and since this mobo has 4 RAM slots, I could have 1.5GB, a step up.

Or I could upgrade to a more modern system.

AM2

GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128056
($79.99)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Brisbane 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103206
($74.99)

A-DATA Value Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820211162
($45.99)

Total: $200.97

Now, the AM2 is $50 more expensive than the 939 rig and it seems only because of the AM2 socket design.

Now I could ditch all of this and probably get 1GB of DDR RAM this week if I really wanted to. I really need suggestions. And also, if anyone can build a better system under $200, please do.

 

[robisbell]

that system is still a decent machine, depends on what your budget is, you will also need to consider a new PSU in with the items you've already listed.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Ah, I forgot to post my PSU as well. It's a Fortron Source 450W, so unless it dies on me, I think it should be enough to carry on?

Edited first post with that info.

 

[robisbell]

I'd go ahead an get a 550W one that way if you Dual SLI, you'll have no issues.
I'd recommend you go to AM2 if you are leaning the AMD way.

 

[cubby1223]

A 3ghz p4 is a good fast cpu. If you're wanting more gaming performance, wait a bit until the 8800gt. That's going to give you more speed than a faster cpu.

Unless you have someone to sell what you have right away, I wouldn't bother. Save up, and prices will also fall.

 

[robisbell]

i would not wait, with the dollar falling like it is, it's going to start getting pricey for parts.

 

[Shadow Conception]

More questions.

What would be the benefits of faster RAM and a dual-core processor? Would they be negligible or actually useful at this point?

I'm dual-booting Vista Business and XP Pro atm (well tri-, since I also have 2000, but that's not relevant), and in Vista, my CPU usage is always jumping above 50% just for opening a window, or other fairly simple tasks. Also the fact that more and more games are beginning to take advantage of multi-core processors moves me somewhat.

My CPU atm, I've the impression if I ever got an 8800GT, I'd be very bottlenecked. I don't know what to think, haha. But I'm leaning very much towards the simpler 1GB RAM upgrade.

 

[robisbell]

well, a dual core means the games and software coming out that take adavntage of them will run much smoother and there;s options in vista so that tasks can be split or shared by a dual core processor.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Okay, my budget's up to $250, but then the system'll probably have to wait about a month. Can anyone build me a good AM2 system consisting of a good, reliable mobo, good dual-core processor (X2 3800+ or better), and at least 2GB of DDR2 RAM (I don't care what speed, as long as it's above DDR2-400).

This what I just built in a few minutes:

ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131022
($114.99)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Brisbane 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103206
($74.99)

A-DATA Value Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820211162
($45.99)

Total: $235.97

Haha, I was always under the impression that my CPU was crap for today's standards, hearing that it's okay is a bit of a surprise for me. But still, I'd like to make the move to dual-core, for the multitasking capabilities it offers, gaming advantages, PCSX2 advantages, etc.

Also, I'd call myself a pretty frequent gamer. I play games close to everyday on PC (even more than consoles now, it's crazy I tell you). I play games like Crysis, Battlefield 2, and of the such. I think that having 2GB of RAM would drastically help my BF2 performance, as according to task manager, it hits the pagefile every time I play (at least .25 gigs over my physical memory). This would explain the silky smooth framerate, but the annoying stuttering every now and then.

 

[robisbell]

well, some of us do custom builds, you let us know when you're ready to actually do it, a month may mean pricebraks or not, have to wait and see.