Looking for an upgrade on a semi-old computer set up. Any ideas?

[catattack]

Hey guys. So it's been quite awhile since i've upgraded and now games are starting to get the best of me with the hi-tech new graphic's and what not. I have somewhat of a good amount to spend on whatever so money isnt really a factor.

Here is my current set up.

Motherboard - NF7-S V.2
CPU - AMD 3200XP
Memory - 1.5ghz corsair 3200 (one gig and one 512)
Videocard - Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
Power Supply - Antec Trueblue 430w
Hard Drive - One 80GB Western Digital 7200rpm 8mb cache
Operating System - Windows XP Professoinal

hmm, that pretty much does it. If anything else needs to be added please say so. Yes that pretty much sums it up, just looking for some new upgrades. Any information is highly appreciated.

Thank you all for your help!

[Steve B]

roughly how much do you have to spend?

[staffsMike]

Is that an AGP board? Are you looking for a move to PCI-E?

Basic Upgrade prices at the moment are.

£300 for:
Core 2 duo 1.8ghz (E6300 or E4300)
Decent Mobo (Asus PB5 or Gigabyte DS3 - cheapest variants)
and 2GB of pc6400 RAM.

Add £100 if you want the C2D E6600.

Add £40 if you want a crossfire board..£80 if you want SLi

Graphics cards..you will see an improvement with a £70 7600GT or blow your mind with £250's worth of 8800 GTS

Gainwood 7800 GLH is a good agp card if you are looking to stick with that.. but £200 is a lot to throw at AGP

[Fabula]

What will you be using the system for?

That system is fairly balanced, so other than upgrading the graphics to a 7600GT, I would probably look at a new system. Upgrading any component is possible, but you won't make sufficient upgrade within the constraints of the system for it to be worthwhile.

[Biscuit]

if money isn't too much of an issue but u don't want anything too high end I would say. (brackets are the more expensive option)

Core 2 Duo E6300 (E6600)
Gigabyte/asus socket 775 motherboard (sli version)
2gb corsair ddr2 800mhz
640mb 8800gts (8800gtx)
tagen/seasnoic 650/700w psu
silverstone aluminium case
couple of 120/80mm sharkoon goflballs for cooling
(creative xfi xtreme music)
320gb western digital sata II hdd

[Gibbo]

What will you be using the system for?

The first consideration before considering an upgrade.

[Gibbo]

(creative xfi xtreme music)

No - don't do it!

[Vega]

I would change these 3
Memory - 1.5ghz corsair 3200 (one gig and one 512)
Videocard - Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
Power Supply - Antec Trueblue 430w

Memory - try another 1gig stick of RAM to make it 2.5gig
Videocard - 512MB Sapphire Radeon X1950Pro AGP 8x
Power supply - 580W HiperPower Type-R ,but if your case is only small and because of Hipers 'Unique user friendly modular design to reduce excess cables' you need at least 2 inches of room at the back of the PSU (towards rom drive)or 550W Xclio Greatpower Modular SLi U-Quiet.

£60RAM
£150 card
£50 PSU
Total £260

Then again if you have the money then buy a new system with dual core and pci etc.....

[catattack]

you guys are incredible. Only this forum on this website has helped me as much as you would ever comprihend.

Thank you guys for all your imput, I think that'll do me good for now.

Till again.

[Biscuit]

No - don't do it!

Whats up with the X-FIs? i heard a few ppl complaining of a bit of crackle etc but mines fine. I say if have problems buy some half decent speakers

[Metier9]

My X-fi lost the ability to do channel 4 lol (back left speaker)... mehh

[Biscuit]

so what soundcard would people recommend?

[MadduckUK]

on the cheap:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/106539/rb/26016041665

on the quality:

http://accessories.virginmedia.com/w...ode=SELF510702

what i want:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=519889

[Biscuit]

Cheers il keep that in mind if mine ever fails

[Gibbo]

so what soundcard would people recommend?

m-Audio audiophile 2496 for stereo http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...2496-main.html
m-Audio revolution 5.1 or 7.1 for surround. http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...on51-main.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...on71-main.html - but no MIDI

ASIO and WDM driver support is the issue.

[Biscuit]

i used to have a EMU 1212m card but got rid of it as i dont need all the fancy proaudio features and all the EAX/X-FI stuff seems to draw me in.
My main game is battlefield which uses X-FI superbly.