Upgrade questions for mobo and vid card

[njuneardave]

Okay, so I built my own system back in August 2004. I haven't since modified it, so here are the specs:

AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 1600 MHz FSB, 1 MB L2 Cache, socket 754. (http://www.computercareus.com/produc...modelcode=2683)

MSI K8N Neo Platinum Mobo nForce2 chipset (http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?id=290)

CORSAIR XMS 1GB DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200), 2-3-3-6 CAS Timing. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145450)

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
(http://www.ymiusa.com/product.aspx?prodid=262)

SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800PRO 128M 256-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card
(http://www.techspot.com/reviews/hard...phire_9800pro/)


for reference, here is my case:
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=91082

now, i want to do some minor upgrades so that i can play a few new games (namely TF2). The main thing that I need to change (other than adding more RAM) is my video card. The MSI K8N Neo Platinum nForce2 mobo doesn't have a PCI-E slot (only AGP), and i know that the PCI-E cards are taking over AGP cards since they are better and cheaper. I don't need a top of the line video card, but i want one that will be serviceable in the newer games. So, this leads me into my questions:

should i stay with my current mobo and get and AGP card like the 7600GS? or should i get a socket 754 mobo with a PCI-E slot and get an accompanying PCI-E card? My heart leads me toward the PCI-E because i fear the AGP card will be so outdated in 2 years... but i fear that all available socket 754 mobos with a PCI-E slot would be a major downgrade from my current MSI K8N Neo Platinum.


Finally, if it would be better to get a new mobo, which would be the best available one left on the market for my system? Upgrading the processor and PSU are kinda outta the question b/c i dont have the money to do so.



So, there's my dilemma, I really do appreciate any help that I can get. Thanks so much!

 

[nurn]

Unless you've got $500 to play with for upgrades, your best bet is definitely going to a new AGP video card. Try EBay, lots of folks are dumping their AGP's as they make the plunge into new mobos and PCIe video cards. There are some kickass AGP cards available.

 

[njuneardave]

but, i can get a PCI-E 8600GT and new socket 754 mobo with PCI-E slot for around 175. is there going to be an AGP card that can outperform that combination for that price?

 

[k2gremlin]

Yea definitally check Ebay ill be tossing my AGP cards up there soon.. I have 2x7900GTO's 512 Cards.. Probably be around $150 each or so.. depends how cheap I get my new ones lol