Upgrade advice wanted

[rfwinters77]

Hiya.

I have a bit of money coming to me soon (I'm unemployed
because I take care of my disabled father, so I don't have
money often) and I'm planning on doing some upgrading.

I've already decided to get a Geforce 6600GT AGP card.

Not sure what else I should upgrade. Rather, not sure if
I should spend the money on a better CPU or more RAM.

I have an Athlon XP1700+ (not overclocked; thought
about trying that and saving some money)
and 512MB PC2700 DDR RAM (fastest my mobo supports).

My current motherboard can only accept Thoroughbred
Athlons up to a 2600+. I have 3 RAM slots, 2 of which
each have a 256MB stick in them.

So, I'm looking for some advice here since I can't afford
to take care of both of those right now (and really,
I'm just looking to upgrade to a decent enough system
to hold me over until BTX form factors start rolling
out and dropping in price.

So, CPU upgrade (or should I just try OCing?) or extra
stick of 512MB DDR RAM?

 

[Azndude51]

If you have to keep that motherboard, you should probably get a better CPU since that 1700 will probably hold you back more than the RAM. Just get the best one you can afford w/out spending too much and good luck with your dad.

 

[rfwinters77]

That's what I was thinking, but some people on another forum were basically
telling me to just get more RAM.

And the reason I'm keeping this mobo for now is because I don't wanna/can't
really drop more money on a new mobo as well; I'll wait until the new form
factors come out before I do a complete overhaul of the system.

 

[Azndude51]

It also depends on when you get the new system. The RAM is going to be a cheaper upgrade, but If it's going to be a long time before you can get that new system, the CPU is probably a better longer term choice.

 

[Stern]

there are some good mobo/cpu upgrade package deals around, depending on how much you want to spend.

 

[rfwinters77]

Azndude: Yeah. I figure BTX systems will start showing up this year, but I probably won't be able
to upgrade to that form factor until next year, probably.

Stern: Like I mentioned, I don't really want to get a whole new mobo until the new BTX form factors
start rolling out.