Upgrading Gaming PC - opinions wanted!

[green02]

ok, so i've hit a real dilemma and could do with some guidance. I'm planning on upgrading the core components of my PC in time for Christmas whilst on a limited budget. My computer is used pretty much entirely for gaming, tending to play one or two games at a time, so bare that in mind.

My current specs:
P4 2.4Ghz 800Mhz FSB
ASUS P4C800 DELUXE mobo AGP8X
768MB PC3200 DDR RAM
Geforce 6600GT 256mb AGP
550wt power supply

This is where i need some help, im looking to upgrade to either of the following sets (parts not fully decided, but something very close!). The dilema comes into play purely down to cost. The first system, all be it considderably outdated in some areas, still offers good performance, especially since gaming boils down to mainly the gfx card and ram, right? also, with the first set up ill be able to add my standing 768mb to the 1gb, giving 1.768GB of RAM, over the 1GB alternative (since i would have to trash my old DDR ram)
The second system is more future proof and would be easier to upgrade, although the cost is significantly more, and im really not looking to spend that much if i can help it. Basically, bang for buk.. which would be best for me in my situation?

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 64 bit 1Mb L2 Cache OEM Skt 939 = £68.14 <-- microdirect

Akasa AK-856 S754/S939 Copper Base + Alum. fins Heat Sink Fan = £11.69 <-- scan

DFI LanParty UT RDX200CF-DR Crossfire (Socket 939) Motherboard = £29.95 <--- overclockers

Crucial 1GB DDR PC3200 CAS3 = £76.36 <--- overclockers (will be 2GB altogether)

Sapphire Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, = £178.00 <--- komplett

total = £364.14


ALTERNATIVE:

Corsair 1GB DDR2 XMS2-5400C4 TwinX (2x512MB) = £99.86 inc VAT <-- overclockers

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz Socket LGA775, 2MB, BOXED w/fan = £125.01 <-- komplett

Sapphire Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, = £178.00 <--- komplett

Gigabyte GA-945P-S3, I945P, Socket-775, ATX, SATAII, GbLAN, DDR2, 1xPCI-Ex16 = £64.00 <-- komplett

total = £466.87


also, im fully aware of C2D owning the crap out of everything else, and the fact that socket 939 is drying up etc... but using the computer mainly for gaming, the CPU isn't the main concern for me. Thanks for any advice.

 

[apt403]

c2d hands down.

 

[green02]

well this is the problem. I'm well aware of the performances of the C2D, but as i've understood it, processors dont play a major role in the performance of games (especially First person shootera), correct me if i'm wrong here. This is why im tempted to take the first set up, which has an adequate processor and saves me about £100.

 

[green02]

any other thoughts?

 

[yas]

I think you should go with the AMD one if you plan on only using it for gaming. As you said the processor doesnt have much of an affect and with the first one you would have 2gb instead of 1 and the ram has more of an affect on games than the processor. I think everyone just immediately goes for the c2d but the AMDs are actually really cheap and a good alternative for people who dont plan on using programs that demand alot from the cpu.