upgrade dilemma

[Maverick]

So my gf tells me she wants a new computer. My first inclination was to get her a dell, but she also wants an LCD monitor to go with the PC...a dell with such a config and the stuff she wants (512 MB ram) will run her close to 800-900 bucks.

So I thought maybe I can give her the motherboard, cpu, memory from my omputer (p4 2.53 ghz northwood with 512 mb DDR400) , put some budget stuff together to finish out her PC and spend less then $200 bucks. Then I can get her an LCD monitor for $350-400 and she'll have everything she wants for $600 or less.

Then I upgrade my CPU, memory, mobo to something more current. My dilemma is that I really want to go with an A64 setup but I'm perturbed by a couple things:

A) Am I going to see a noticeable speed increase if I only go to the 3000+ or do I need to spend twice as much for the 3400+ to make the upgrade worth it
B) Should I wait for PCIExpress motherboards so I'll have more video upgrade options later (right now I have ATI 9700 Pro AGP)

If I initially wanted to limit my upgrade costs to $500 or less, but only for a noticeable (50% or better) speed increase. Only then can I really justify something with only AGP video.

 

[BoomAM]

LOL.
Good to see your putting your GF first!
The 9700pro will be fine for sometime to come.
Wait a month or so till Socket 939 hits retail, then buy yourself the cheapest CPU you can for it, like a 3200+.
If your lucky, the VIA K8T890pro will be out by then, and that does PCI/AGP/PCI-E/PCI-E16.

 

[Maverick]

waiting is the problem, she wants a computer now! Best I can hope for is to hold out for the nforce3 250 if it ever comes out. I may just bite the bullet and let her get the dell, right now probably isn't a good time for me to upgrade.

 

[meefmah]

I'd let her get the Dell. If any problems arise, you'd be distanced from them (she can't blame you).
Plus, it'd be new with warranty.
If you were to give her your stuff, I would just swap out the HDD and the 9700, load the software and give her a complete machine.
I, personally, don't upgrade. I keep the old stuff assembled as a working comp. and build a completely new one. To me, even custom stuff can start looking old.
Anyway, going with the Dell is a sound idea.

I don't work on my GFs' cars either.