Upgrading for iracing/rfactor

[Willyboy2]

I am upgrading my computer so I can get better frame rates at higher resolutions w/all effects enabled. I use this computer almost exclusivly for Sim Racing. I have to stay with Windows XP as I have a Frex motion platform and it does not support Vista. I would like advice as the best way to spend my upgrade money. I would like to spend under $1000.00.
My current system is as follows.
AMD Athlon 4200
2 Meg DDR Ram
160 gb Sata 2 7200 rpm HD
500 watt PSU power supply
Cooler master liquid cooling kit
ASUS A8R MVP Crossfire DDR PCI-E Mobo
SAP ATI 1600 XT x2 Video Cards
XP Media center

 

[matm1234]

That processor has to go first of all, no affense ofcourse. But look at somthing a bit faster AMD offers way better processors for under 300 bucks. 500 watt power supply = bad. go with somthing a little more beefy 650 at the least. By the sounds of it you dont have alot of breathign room so th rest doesnt seem to bad i would suggest more ram in the future and a biggger harddrive.. Sorry i cant be more helpful i just honestly cant give you good options for under 1000.. that system will hold but if i had to change just 1 thing itd be that power supply. 500 watts just doesnt cut it anymore.

 

[lunyone]

Start from scratch and still be under $1k!!
CPU - $180 q6600
Mobo - $100-125 p45 based mobo
GPU - $125-150 4850!!
RAM - $30-50 DDR2 800 mHz CAS4 stuff (4-4-4-12 timings) stock voltage of 1.8v
HD - $75 640 gb WD AAKS version
Case - $80-90 Cooler Master 690 or even Antec 300 for about $60 or so!
PSU - $60-75 Corsair 650 tx is plenty or even Antec 500-650w PSU!!
DVD Burner - $30 Get a RETAIL version so you have the necessary software to read/burn DVD's!

Total ~$700-750 depending on options. If you go with a 4870 GPU than add about $100 or so and still be a killer system for $800. Add 22" LCD for about $175-200 and your at the $1k budget!!