Upgrading my computer, need advice...

[ZeroAce]

Right now I have:
-AMD 1900+
-GeForce 3 Ti500.
-512 RAM (I think it's PC2100, it's a 2-1/2 year old alienware system)


So my question is: If I don't want to spend more than around $600 what are the most critical areas to upgrade in my current system, and what would be the most cost efficient items to put in (low cost, vs performance impact over my existing system)?

I have my eye on the Radeon 9600 XT, and the AMD 3000+ 64, but I have no clue what Mobo would be best, or what the most efficient speed is for cost-vs-performance.

[Omardeth]

with that set up the cheapest is to change out the video card and you will be set for a while . there are faster systems but yours will still be good . a 9600pro or xt will do wonders .

600$ won't do much if you want a amd3000 64 system .

i would say just upgrade your video and save your money . 150 should get ya a 9600xt ad that will be great . intel and amd are about to change platforms here soon , amd already started with the 64bit cpus . so just get a new video card and keep saving . if you must find out if your motherboard can take a higher cpu and do that also . if you can do a new cpu and video you will be fine .

[amos]

Hi ZeroAce

It would be helpful if you let us know what uses for your computer are the most important for you, and why you feel you need to consider an upgrade.

I'm guessing Omardeth is right and you play games on it, otherwise it is unlikely you would feel the need for an upgrade, but on the other hand you could be a NASA video editor or into factorising large prime numbers for all I know

[nunyadam]

new video card and a 2500+@3200+ will keep you going for a good while.

[ZeroAce]

-Games (Primarly WW2OL, which is very taxing on RAM and CPU).
-Video capture.
-3D modeling.

new video card and a 2500+@3200+ will keep you going for a good while.

Are you suggesting overclocking?

1. I know very little about overclocking. So far I have not been able to gather a solid enough understanding of the total OC process in order to even attempt it (and also lacking the confidence to do it right with such a low grasp of OCing).

2. When it comes to buying a CPU I feel I would be throwing money down the drain if I didn't get one signifigantly better than what I already have. "Moderately better" just isn't worth the money IMO.
I also want to avoid getting the decadent XP series, the 64 CPU should leave me better prepared for future programs that take advantage of it, or even require it...

Another idea I was toying with was simply getting watercooling for the system I already have and overclocking what I can. This is a two-fold benefit because I finally get to do away with all these loud fans.
The main drawback is that I won't get much of a performance boost, and I will probably have to replace the waterblocks when I buy new stuff.

I would have done it already but there is just too much crap to wade through to find the right watercooling gear (and at a reasonable price).



I have read up on it, but I've never actually tried - and so far I haven't found any easy and quick overclocking information that would get the ball rolling.

[Bullion]

the 2500@3200 iwont work as he will need a new mobo and ram, so then in effect hes getting a new platform!! Get a mid range video card and wait for the 939 amd64's made on the 90nm process that should be killer. Thats what im doing, the way i see it my tbred 2100+@2300mhz is sufficent as much as i want to upgrade to a nforce2 and a 2500@3200 I cant justify it when the 130nm 939 a64 will be out soon