What to upgrade to? What can I keep?

[WildViper]

I have had problems with my rig for a while now. It seems I might as well upgrade it for faster performance.

What I use it for:

Internet
Photoshop - heavy use
Video Editing - not a heavy use at all. will stay that way.
watching DVDs
No gaming whatsoever.
No overclocking
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I have a AMD 64 2800+
Chaintech VNF3-250 board
1gig Ram (1 stick)
3 HDs - 2x 160Gig and 1x500Gig - All PATA
ATI 9000 Video Card w/64MB - AGP 4x/8x
DVD DL writer - Pioneer I think.
On-board Sound
Firewire card - cheapy one.
Haupauge TV Capture card - not needed any more.
Orion 350w powersupply

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Now, I want to boost performance with lowest possible cost. I would like to replace the Processor and Mobo for sure. Can I replace it with Intel based?? Will my other stuff work or do I have to buy everything new?

The reason is cause I have been having on going performance issues(laggy/sluggish performance) since the beginning.

So, what would you recommend? Budget is $200-$250.

Thanx for help;

 

[WildViper]

bump. No one?

 

[MarcVenice]

Your budget = the suck. With that all you can buy is a am2 mobo, a cheap-ish am2 cpu and 2gb of memory. Let's say 60$ ram, 2gb ddr2 800mhz, 1 mobo for 60$ leaves 130$ for cpu. Which buys you this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103767

Not to shabby, photoshopping speed will GREATLY increase, but I doubt the mobo has more then 1 IDE port, meaning you can have only 2 IDE deviced hooked up to it. Oh, and you'll need a new videocard, or you have to buy a mobo with integrated graphics. Integrated graphics work fine for desktop applications, so no worry's there.

 

[WildViper]

Thanx Marc...I think that is a vast improvement over what I got already. I was checking out the AMD X2 4200 for less than $75. Which mobo is good for IDE - have 3 drives + DVD DL and cost less than $100? Oh..has to be stable too...I won't overclock, but don't want something crashing a lot.
Edot: How about this: Asus Board ?

 

[jkresh]

WildViper that board is pci express (and has no agp) so you would need to replace your graphics card to.

 

[WildViper]

jkresh...I see that. But this mobo has on board video with DVI and has 2 IDE connections. I just don't know if it is a good one. Reading from reviews, people have mixed feeling it seems.