Poll: Upgrade Old Beast or Build New Budget System

[pous]

Hi guys,

My brother's computer (the one I'm using) is pretty old.

I'm wondering if we should invest the money to upgrade it ($180) or if we should just save a bit more, and build him a whole new one.

Here's what he's got:

Athlon 3200+ (2.2GHz and the fastest that our Mobo will allow)
ATI 9200 128MB AGP8x (We'd upgrade this to a 7600GS AGP8x for $89.99)
1GB PC2700 Memory (We'd upgrade this to 2GB PC2700 for $89.99)
160 GB Hard Drive (No problems)

There's nothing wrong with the optical drives, it's all boxed up in a Compaq Presario SR1230NX case... not sure how easy it'd be to re-use, but I may have a couple cases laying around I could use for his upgrade if we did do that.

I just want to kno wwhat you guys think...

Simplified:
Q: Should we upgrade video/ram in this old beast, or should we just scrap it and build new?

Also for a new build if we were to make one, it'd have to be real cheap, around 4-500 dollars... I think that's doable, especially since he has keyboard/mouse/monitor/optical drives... and because we may even have a case for him.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice

 

[rabidbunny]

Personally, you'd be better off buying new components and building a new pc. That one is decent for web browsing, old games, etc.

Just curious, what is this computer gonna be used for?

 

[HyperBladeST]

I suggest you try to gather some money (maybe 200-300) and then sell his computer parts that won't be used. Some store can buy back parts just make sure they don't offer you 5$ for the CPU.

For the new system you can refer to this :
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/08/system_builder_marathon/

AMD is the way to go if you want to keep the cost down and don't plan to overclock a lot.

 

[pous]

To rabidbunny: Computer will be for games/web browsing. Current one won't play the fancy new games, so that's the primary reason for upgrade.

To HyperBladeST: Not sure where to go to sell back computer stuff, although if I could get a bit for it I'd consider that. As far as that article, thanks, I'll be sure to read it.

~~

AMD came to mind as far as making a nice low-budget system for him, I want it to be able to play Oblivion at reasonable frame rates, if not high resolution, and also would like to keep a nice, low, cost for the lot.

Thanks very much for anyone else that replies, as well as to the people who have already offered advice

 

[g-paw]

Something like this would be a starting point. Could shave some money with a X2 3800, 550 rather than the 570 mobo, less expensive PSU, case, etc. If you can afford it, a better video card would be a good idea.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119106
http:// www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131022
http://www.newegg.com/p roduct/product.asp?item=N82E16814127286
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a sp?item=N82E16817104037
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1681 9103776
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820211066
Total Cost w/o shipping $497

 

[mad-dog]

AMD 5200+, EVGA 8800GTS 320MB, ASUS M2N32, 2Gigs RAM and a pair of Seagate 320's.......upgrading your old system still wont let you play modern games, jus my $.02