What would be a worth wild upgrade for this computer?

[jsbush]

P3 800EB
Shuttle AV11 mobo
30gig Maxtor 7200rpm HD
PowerColor Geforce2mx pro 64megs
Intel Pro 100+ 10/100 NIC
Creative AudioPCI sound card
Antec SX830 case /with 300watt Antec power supply
Lite-On 16x DVD
LG 24x10x40x CD-RW
GVC 56k v.90 Fax modem
Panasonic 1.44 floppy drive
Samsung SyncMaster 950b 19? monitor


The computer is used mostly for DVD movies, games and internet. Sometimes DVD movies lag when theres high action parts.

Budget is around 100$

Any ideas?

 

[Jeff7]

I'd expect DVD's to play fine on a system like that; I think the min for playing DVD's is a P2 350. What OS are you running? Is DMA enabled on the DVD drive? Is the DVD decoder software set to use whatever hardware acceleration it can find? Are the chipset drivers installed?

 

[jsbush]

IT's running win xp. DMA is enabled, the chipset drivers are installed, and not sure about the dvd software if tis setup to read the hardware accelertor (would that be the video card? I don't think it has A dvd decoder on it).

Thanks

 

[Macro2]

Actually, Thats a nice computer. All I would upgrade is the CPU or the motherboard and CPU if you wanted to go to an Athlon or P4.
How fast of a P3 will the mobo take?

 

[optimistic]

Fry's ECS K75SA w/ XP 2000+ retail for $99? Or wait a couple of weeks and they'll eventually have the K75SA w/ 1700+ for $79.

 

[Marine]

I think the best bang for your buck with what you have would be a better video card. That MX isn't doing you any favors. CompUSA has been running a special on the Verto GF4 4200 for $99 (in store plus mail in rebate) that would certainly cure your DVD stutter as well as dramatically improve frame rates in any games you play.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Marine
I think the best bang for your buck with what you have would be a better video card. That MX isn't doing you any favors. CompUSA has been running a special on the Verto GF4 4200 for $99 (in store plus mail in rebate) that would certainly cure your DVD stutter as well as dramatically improve frame rates in any games you play.

Agreed. He can't do much more with the CPU b/c of the mobo (takes up to 1ghz P3 Coppermine? Tualatin with some serious modding). Upgrading a CPU AND Mobo suddenly becomes a pricey option and a system overhaul. Then he has to look at RAM. He's better off getting a new card, possibly a Radeon 9000pro or 8500 128MB as they have hardware DVD decoding onboard. GF4 are better for gaming, but its still tough to find a 128MB ti4200 for under $100.

Chiz

 

[pillage2001]

Definitely a better vid card. Budget is around 100 bucks?? Get a radeon 8500.