Upgrades!

[person4012]

My current system has:
AMD athlon 4200+ at 2.4ghz (stock cooled)
Nvidia 7600gs PCIe 512mb of ddr2memory at 450mhz and 3d clock at 550mhz
320gb WD harddrive
Ga-m57-sli4 am2-ddr2-sli
2X1gb dual channel ddr2 ram at 677mhz(2 slots free)
350w psu
1 dvd writer
1 dvd reader

I have around 500 dollars to spend on upgrading it
I was thinking of maybe buying the low end phenomx4 but im not sure if the psu would take it. Also is there any benefit in getting a AM2+ mobo? Maybe if i could squeeze it in a new graphics card
I do some light gaming.
I usually play the orange box games and flight simulator x.
I run vista home premium

 

[person4012]

250 pounds to spend i meant...

 

[g-paw]

Regardless when you up grade you should get a new quality PSU, 350w just isn't enough. I would wait until the Phenom have been fully tested and the price of AM2+ mobo come down in price. The reviews I've read I think were done on something other than the Retail version of the phenom. With $500 you could go with a Intel Quad Core, not sure how far 250 pounds will take you given component prices, which may or may not suit your needs better. The reviews seem to be saying that for video, rendering, etc, the phenom is pretty competitive but not as good on games.

 

[akhilles]

Orange Box & FSX are kind of new.

E2140 & ABIT IP35-E

OR

4200+ AM2 & BIOSTAR TForce 550 SE or 560 A+

OCZ 2x1GB PC2-6400
8800GT or HD3870
450W-ish PSU

Look for deals. I don't think you can get an 8800GT for MSRP. The price is inflated. HD3870 on the other hand should be cheaper.

 

[starcraftfanatic]

get a bigger PSU, a Phenomx4 and 3850 or 70, and a new mobo if the old can't work with a simple bios flash