Upgrading My Computer

[DocterJ]

Well, I built this computer about last Christmas, I'm looking to upgrade one (or two) of the following things, what do you think would be best? I use my computer for gaming and programming. As far as price goes, I would love both outrageous prices and middle budget parts.

Mother Board: ECS Elitegroup nForce4M-A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135028#spec

Processor: AMD Sempron 3200+

Memory: 1 gb DDR2-533

 

[paparazi]

As far as gaming goes: the single most important component is the graphics card and as you haven't listed what graphics card you are presently using it's difficult to recommend one.
Ideally you should be looking at a DX10 compatible GPU, depending on budget: Nvidia 8600GT or 8800GTS would be two suggestions.
For Programming: You have plenty of potential for more speed by fitting a dual core X2 processor.
1Gig of ram is usually adequate for XP users but Vista will need 2gig to run nicely.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

If you want performance why not upgrade to a Core2Duo? Its not much more money and the performance rocks.

JohnThePhoneGuy

"If I can't fix it, it's not broke!

 

[wahnula]

First, listen to Martin. GFX will give you the best payback, but you didn't list what you have. Hey, you've got socket AM2, why not go go dual-core?

http://www.dark-circuit.com/directron/sorteditems/am2cpusa.php

You should get a serious bump at the 4000+ & up class, I would look at the 4800/5000+ to get a serious speed bump.

But, since games are more GPU-dependent, don't forget that an upgrade there may have more meaning. You must have a GFX card, what is it?

Tony

 

[DocterJ]

My graphics card is a GeForce 9700 GS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150174

Thanks a lot you guys

 

[WyldeCarde]

The 880GTS 320MB is a good card at a great price.

I wouldn't upgrade to Core 2 from there, youd need a new motherboard, and the performance gain in games would be minor compared to the GFX card upgrade

 

[paparazi]

DocterJ 9700GS 8X AGP doesn't sound right at all!!!!

For starters surely this board is PCIe..
And I'm sure you mean 7900GS?

So given that we are talking PCIe, an Nvidia 8800GTS would be a reasonable upgrade (obviously your current card is no slouch) so don't expect vast improvements.

I would also say upgrading to an X2 processor from a slow Sempron will also improve general performance.

Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Aussie2]

1 gig of ram is not enough for current games so maybe some more ram and a X2 cpu and you would have a good gaming pc another option is to raid your current drive with a new drive you would also gain more storage

 

[DocterJ]

Thanks you guys, I've decided to upgrade to a X2 processor, and then upgrade the ram a little later.

Thanks again!