Upgrading - Mobo, Processor, & Memory question

[Sub1ime14]

Hello all...

I recently changed software in my home recording studio, and as a result, I have found that I am limited to roughly 14-15 channels of audio, with moderate effects (compression, EQ, some delay on some channels) before my processor tops out, and it begins to insert clips/noises into playback and occassionally pause during recording (which, of course, is 100% unacceptable, as clients cannot work with this). My current system is definitely outdated in some ways... I've done my best to make it last, but it is time to upgrade. I'll post my current system and what I'm looking at upgrading to (mobo, processor, and memory), and if you guys can provide any feedback, comments, or suggestions, that would be greatly helpful. Thanks!

Current System
AMD Athlon 1800+
VIA KT ATX Mobo (don't remember model offhand)
512 MB PC133 RAM
120GB HD (storage) / 80GB HD (O.S.)
ATI Radeon x700 Pro graphics (256MB - AGP 8x)
Sound Blaster Live audio

Proposed Upgrade System
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core processor
MSI K9MM-V Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM
80GB HD (moving the 120 to a server as file storage)
ATI Radeon x700 Pro graphics (keeping this - got it not long ago)
Either on-board Audio or keep S.B. Live card (I have a separate firewire interface for the recording (and a firewire PCI card)

Before you make those comments on the mobo, I just want you to know that my limitation here is that I'd like to keep my Radeon graphics card, which is AGP. Of course, that limits me to about 2 motherboards (both micro ATX, unfortunately - but I don't need all the PCI slots)... I am trying to keep the price low, which is part of the reason I want to keep this graphics card - combined with the fact that it is still a very decent card, which I bought less than 6 months ago.

Again, any comments or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Sub1ime14]

Please forgive me for self-bumping, but I see this has slipped off the main page, and I'm afraid it might get lost. If it continues to drift, I suppose I'll just assume you guys think the system is wicked sweet.

 

[goatjc]

I know you're trying to keep the price low, but, it'll only cost maybe $75-$100 more to to get a pci-e video card that will probably outperform. . .heck, you could go cheaper and that video card would probably compete with yours right now. Also, new PSU as well?

 

[jkresh]

If you dont game at all then getting a board with integrated graphics (and a pci express x16 slot for later) might give you more options then finding an agp one (and some of the integrated may not be much slower then your x700).

 

[Sub1ime14]

I didn't really think any of the integrated graphics would outperform the x700 pro, but I'll definitely take a look at them now and see if it's the case.

As for the PSU, I have a 450 watt Antec right now... I MIGHT replace it, but I'm fairly confident it'll be ok. If I'm not mistaken, it's the right pin-count, including the extra 4-pin connector. I'm going to double-check this before making my order, though. Thanks for the ideas so far - any more ideas, send 'em my way.

Thanks.