Upgrade path for me?

[XiticiX]

I currently have a custom built computer, but have been "out of the hardware loop" for some time now. I used to follow hardware trends religiously, but that has tapered off quite dramatically since starting my job as a C# developer.
Basically, I'm wondering what you would recommend I do about my aging system:

Asus A7N8X Motherboard (dual ddr, sata, good up to a 3200 barton i believe)
AMD 2100+ CPU
1 GB (2x512) memory (generic)
ATI 9600 128MB Video Card (AGP)
2 Western Digital 40GB HDD's in RAID 0 connected to a Promise FastTrack RAID controller card (PCI)
2 Maxtor 15GB HDD's. standalone.
...And the standard dvd burner, monitor, wirless kb/mouse, blah blah blah

So, my question. If you were to upgrade one component, what would it be? Or, should I just sell it for whatever i can get, and buy a new system? I'm not opposed to getting a new system, but I really don't game much anymore (not intensive stuff anyways), but still want half decent performance. As it stands, it serves me fine, but just want that little extra "oomph" you know? Comments? Suggestions? Ideas?

Thanks

 

[mesarectifier]

1. The CPU socket is out of date and no more CPUs are being made for it.

2. The CPU won't go in any new motherboards and even if it did....

3. All new systems use DDR2, so the RAM would have to go, as would the...

4. Hard drives (it's all SATA now) and the...

5. Graphics card, as all new boards come with PCIe instead.


You'd be able to stick in 2gb of DDR, a Barton 3200+ and a 7800GS (or whichever the best AGP card is now) and you'd have the ultimate legacy system money could buy. However I'd instead start saving and get a new rig. If you want to upgrade one thing, make it the CPU - the GPU and RAM aren't that bad.

 

[angry_ducky]

IMO, you should get the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, along with an Athlon 64 3000+. That board supports both PCIe AND AGP, so you can reuse your video card. You'll also be able to reuse your RAM, as socket 939 uses DDR. The motherboard is out of stock right now, but it should come back soon. The total price of the CPU and board is $136.

If you can spend more $$$ on the CPU ($159), then get this Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

 

[shadowduck]

IMO, you should get the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, along with an Athlon 64 3000+. That board supports both PCIe AND AGP, so you can reuse your video card. You'll also be able to reuse your RAM, as socket 939 uses DDR. The motherboard is out of stock right now, but it should come back soon. The total price of the CPU and board is $136.

If you can spend more $$$ on the CPU ($159), then get this Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

Good call ducky. I run that exact motherboard with a 3000+. Pretty nice system. Runs Vista without any major hitches. Plus for $30 you can use AM2 and DDR2 RAM on that motherboard.

 

[soul40k]

Or wait for DX10 and Vista and 60nm processors in december.. That would = everything you want to get now going down in price, or upgrading to the best of the best.

 

[0zzy]

Build a new AMD rig, as AMD is dirt cheap right now. If u dont game much then AMD AM2 3200 would be fine. U can still use ur old ram and Vic, but can get better for not much.

 

[angry_ducky]

Build a new AMD rig, as AMD is dirt cheap right now. If u dont game much then AMD AM2 3200 would be fine. U can still use ur old ram and Vic, but can get better for not much.

He doesn't need to build a whole new rig; he can just upgrade the CPU/MB like I suggested.

 

[CookieOfDoom]

IMO, you should get the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, along with an Athlon 64 3000+. That board supports both PCIe AND AGP, so you can reuse your video card. You'll also be able to reuse your RAM, as socket 939 uses DDR. The motherboard is out of stock right now, but it should come back soon. The total price of the CPU and board is $136.

If you can spend more $$$ on the CPU ($159), then get this Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

Okay, that is definately the weirdest motherboard I've ever seen... <me> thinks of his AGP unlocked 6800LE, 1.5 GB of DDR 400 RAM, and 64 3000+</me> Does it overclock well?

 

[angry_ducky]

IMO, you should get the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, along with an Athlon 64 3000+. That board supports both PCIe AND AGP, so you can reuse your video card. You'll also be able to reuse your RAM, as socket 939 uses DDR. The motherboard is out of stock right now, but it should come back soon. The total price of the CPU and board is $136.

If you can spend more $$$ on the CPU ($159), then get this Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

Okay, that is definately the weirdest motherboard I've ever seen... <me> thinks of his AGP unlocked 6800LE, 1.5 GB of DDR 400 RAM, and 64 3000+</me> Does it overclock well?

Anandtech got a 4000+ to 2.9GHz on that board. Here's their review of it. Forumz member GeneticWeapon has a 3000+ Venice overclocked to 2.43GHz on that board.

 

[shadowduck]

IMO, you should get the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, along with an Athlon 64 3000+. That board supports both PCIe AND AGP, so you can reuse your video card. You'll also be able to reuse your RAM, as socket 939 uses DDR. The motherboard is out of stock right now, but it should come back soon. The total price of the CPU and board is $136.

If you can spend more $$$ on the CPU ($159), then get this Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

Okay, that is definately the weirdest motherboard I've ever seen... <me> thinks of his AGP unlocked 6800LE, 1.5 GB of DDR 400 RAM, and 64 3000+</me> Does it overclock well?

Anandtech got a 4000+ to 2.9GHz on that board. Here's their review of it. Forumz member GeneticWeapon has a 3000+ Venice overclocked to 2.43GHz on that board.

I am running a 3000+ Venice at 2.025GHz right now. I know its not much of a jump, but its just a first start. Temps have not gone up at all so far which is nice for a 225MHz overclock.

 

[mesarectifier]

I see your point about the ASRock board (and it's a good one), but coming at it from another angle if he gets that board then he's getting a new board and a new CPU (bear with me on this). My point is, if he want's to upgrade from that CPU then he has to buy

a) that riser card, not a real problem
b) new RAM
c) new CPU

I suppose saving the need to buy mobo and graphics when upgrade time comes again is good, but it's still only holding off replacing the RAM, and before too long he'll likely want to upgrade, which will mean AM2 and new RAM anyway.

Why not just take the plunge now, new CPU, RAM, mobo and GPU?