What should I upgrade to get the most Speed boost?

[ra5555]

I think my computer is getting a little out of dated, the specs for the computer I brought a year ago is:
Athlon XP 1700+
MSI K7T Pro2 MB on board audio (AC97)
256MB ram
Asus GF4 Ti4200 128MB
Win Xp

I am thinking of spending about 200Can ($120US) on an upgrade, what should I get for the maxium speed boost?

Thanks in advance,

ra

 

[Ganache]

I'd get more RAM especially if you play lots of game. Buy a stick of 512Megs

 

[Mael]

Two options: A new motherboard or spend the money on fans, a new heatsink and if necessary, a new case. Set yourself up for overclockability. Once you've got great airflow and good temps, you can work a bit on the 1700+ and, once you've got some more green stuff to spend, you can pick up the 2500+ and OC it.
Regardless, for 200 C.D. you're not going to turn your comp into a benchmark speed beast. By piecemealing your upgrades, you can prep for the future installations.



"Life can move pretty fast sometimes. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you might mistake it for an Athlon."

 

[phsstpok]

DDR mobo and memory. (Don't know how you would do it on $120 US, though)

<b>99% is great, unless you are talking about system stability</b>

 

[LancerEvolution7]

Define more memory, maybe a new HD.

 

[rcj187]

upgrade the motherboard and ram. it may come to a little over budget for you at the moment but if you buy a good motherboard you will have a nice upgrade path for the rest of the system for a good couple of years. i would get a nforce2 board.
dont expext any overclocking wonders out of that 1700 though as it will be a palamino and wont oc too well and the mulitipliers are locked also

 

[JimStapleton]

Given that minus the vid card mine is similar, ditch the mobo.

Athlon XP 1600+, MSI K7T PRO2 RU (POS), 2x256 MB CRUCIAL PC2100 CL2.5 memory, Asus V6800 DDR Delux (GF 256) video card, 6.4GB+27GB WD HD, 40GB IBM HD (all 7200RPM). My computer is an acronym

 

[ra5555]

By the way I got DDR ram 256mb 266

and My MB is MSI K7T 266 Pro2
So should I get more memory or a new MB, which is going to give me more preformance?

thanx for everyone who gave me suggestions

ra

 

[JimStapleton]

honestly, I'd say both, but it depends, do you ever use up all your memory (physical) and move to virtual?

I seriously thing, given how much of a POS this board is for me, that the new board upgrade will be the best idea.

Athlon XP 1600+, MSI K7T PRO2 RU (POS), 2x256 MB CRUCIAL PC2100 CL2.5 memory, Asus V6800 DDR Delux (GF 256) video card, 6.4GB+27GB WD HD, 40GB IBM HD (all 7200RPM). My computer is an acronym

 

[phsstpok]

and My MB is MSI K7T 266 Pro2
So should I get more memory or a new MB, which is going to give me more preformance?

That makes a difference.

K7T PRO2 = KT133
K7T-266 PRO2 = KT266A

Not sure what's the best option for you with just $120 USD to spend.

More memory will only help a few games (BF1942 comes to mind).

New mobo won't do much more with your Palomino XP1700+

$120 USD won't buy a better video card than you already have.

I'd say buy a Tbred B XP1700+ for about $55 USD and a decent cooler. Do a little overclocking which Tbred B excels at. Your motherboard and memory is going to limit you a bit but perhaps you can reach 150+ Mhz FSB. This would give you 12.5 x 150 or 1875 Mhz. If the memory isn't good enough replace it. 512MB of PC2700 would only be about $65 USD and would meet your $120 budget (if you don't count the cooler).

<b>99% is great, unless you are talking about system stability</b><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by phsstpok on 04/28/03 11:15 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[FDTzeng]

Actually if you want to keep it simple for gaming, get a new CPU. 2400+ or 2600+ 266FSB should be good. If your an overclocker everyone apparently loves the 1700+.

Im thinking go with the 2400+ and another 256MB of ram cuz for ocing you might be limited by other components. The TI4200 is just fine as it is.

Athlon XP 2500+ @ 2.2GHz, A7N8X, Kingston HyperX PC3000 512MB @177MHz, Radeon 9700Pro, SB Live 5.1

 

[ra5555]

Thanks to everyone who helped..

I finally decided to get 256Mb memory and wait for another 6 month before getting an upgrade.

I made this decision because I don't really know how to overclock and do those kind of stuff besides, if I wait 6 month I might be able to get an Athlon 2800+ or 3000+ with my budget.

Thanks again

ra

 

[phsstpok]

That will work.

<b>99% is great, unless you are talking about system stability</b>