Which first: new video card, memory, or mb/cpu?

[velvet44]

This system needs a little updating, I am on a budget so what should I upgrade first? Also if I need more ram, how do I find ram similar to what I have -Samsung DDR333 PC2700? I am not sure of the quality and shouldn't ram match what is already in there (it is double sided so I think another stick would need to be double sided as well)? I am counting on you guys! thanks.

Northwood P4 1.6 OC'd to 2.13Ghz
ASUS P4B266 I845D DDR MB
512mb Samsung PC2700 DDR 333 SDRAM
Leadtech GF4 TI4400 128MB
Antec SX1030 File server case with 300w ps and 4 Sunon BB fans
IBM DeskStar 60 GB 7200 HD UDMA100
Plextor 24X/10X/40X CDRW
Pioneer 16X/40X DVD
SB Live Audigy Gamer
Win XP Home OS
Viewsonic Professional Series P95-f 19" monitor
Runs at 32/28 deg at idle, and as high as 40 under load (CPU)
Used for mostly gaming and web surfing.
I would like to optimize what I have but if you guys think it needs a major overhaul...well I am open to suggestions. Thanks guys
__

 

[jpeyton]

Budget?

 

[Arcanedeath]

Realisticly you need to upgrade the CPU/MB/Memory and possibly Vid card if you want better gaming performance, although if you just upgrade the vid card to something like a 9800Pro you should see some improvemnt in games aswell. How much you can upgrade depends on the budget.

 

[velvet44]

I am really not worried about going above $400 -if that is the best plan, otherwise I would like to keep the costs to around that level. Perhaps it would be best to upgrade the CPU/mb and memory and worry about video card later. Also, maybe it would be possible to use my PC2700 memory for now. Thanks for the input!

 

[jpeyton]

Your current rig should have no problem web surfing. If it has a weak area, it might be the gaming end.

Get this, this, and this for $422.

You can keep your PC2700 and do a mild overclock with the Mobile AthlonXP; your memory might even handle PC3200 speeds with a little voltage increase.

 

[jpeyton]

And you can always resell your old CPU, mobo, and vid card somewhere to bring the upgrade costs back down.

 

[imported_Kehcalop]

I'd say your cpu and video card are the weak links. A new motherboard and CPU wouldnt cost as little as 150-200 bucks. Your ram is decent speed and 512 is ample for nearly everything. I'd say pick up a 2500+ Barton and a mobo. throw in your ram and maybe a new video card, you can pick up a 9800pro for under 200 bucks now, and you have a system that will handle just about anything. All for under 400 bucks.

 

[40Hands]

Definitly upgrade the graphics card if you plan on gamming much...you will see a nice performance gain with a ATI 9800 XT. I think you already have the web browsing covered

 

[Delorian]

Originally posted by: BroeBo
Definitly upgrade the graphics card if you plan on gamming much...you will see a nice performance gain with a ATI 9800 XT. I think you already have the web browsing covered

Why get a 9800 XT??? You can pay 285 for a 6800 nu instead of 350 for a 9800 XT. You could practically get a 6800 GT or X800 pro for that price. which any new gen card smacks the snot outta a 9800 XT. I say go for a 9800 pro for ~190 or so (almost as good as an XT for almost 1/2 the price), a 6800 NU for ~285 (cheaper and whoops the XT) or a 6800 GT ~375 (barely more expensive but very nice card, tops all discussed). These are the best deals currently out there IMO.