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Seeking upgrade advice

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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I am wondering what might be the best, and perhaps, most cost effective way to upgrade my system. I am a student, running photoshop/image ready, various web content creation software, and of course, games.

Here is my current system:
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Athlon XP 1900+ (1.6GHz)
512MB PC2100 (2x256) DDR
Epox 8KHA+ (VIA 266A)
GForce Ti 4400
WesternDigital 160GB w/8mb cache
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1st option: upgrade to a 2400+ cpu (highest this mobo supports)

2nd option: upgrade the vid card to ATI 9700/9800 pro

3rd option: upgrade mobo & processor (either ASUS A7NX deluxe & ~2800xp athlon) or comparable Intel setup (Abit IS7 or the similar ASUS board, with ~2.6GHz cpu) or around $450 max

I am willing to spend money on parts. as i will probably use the leftovers to eventually piece another puter together. In this case, i may upgrade both mobo/cpu and vid card, but will need to shave costs...slower cpu/vid card

Games I like to play or am planning on trying:
Star Wars Galaxies, most any RPG.
I'm not real big on FPS type games like half-life/doom


Any comments are welcome

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Seeing you are not into FPS games and are into what seems to be graphics creation I imagine you would get the most out of a mobo/processor/memory upgrade. Are you having any problems running anything now with your current setup though, because for what you are doing, which isn't that demanding, your current setup seems fine and maybe you could actually spend that hard earned money on other things.

Anyhow for $454 at newegg less shipping of course:
2-CORSAIR MEMORY 256MB 32MX64 PC-3200 - OEM
1-ABIT IS7,Intel 865PE chipset for Socket 478 P4 ATX motherboard RETAIL
1-Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - OEM

I live in the UK is not too sure how it goes in america but I would;

upgrade the CPU up to a 2400
if you run XP, double the ram to 1 gig (if winme/98 dont bother)
19" screen

graphics should be okay for this year, but if U want the upgrade of the cost concious get a 128mb 9500/9600pro, whichever is the cheaper...

enjoy, just remember when u buy a bargain, it will always be even cheaper after you buy somewhere...

Trust me I know what I'm doing... ooops, grab the cat...

If you're not playing twqitch games, but are into content creation, I'd got he 2400+ route. You will definitely notice a performance improvement.

A 9700/9800 would be very nice, but won't make a difference in content creation. And SWG isn't a twitch game, a 4400Ti should be OK.
The 2400+ will show an improvement in gaming, anyway.

I love Athlons but I don't know if I'd get an Athlon board to upgrade with right now. If the Athlon64 is coiming out in September (Hopefully) I might hold off...
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