512MB PC3200 DDR RAM or AMD Athlon 2800+ XP CPU?

[Dr. Freeman]

First of all, here my current specs:

AMD Athlon 2500+ XP CPU
512MB PC3200 DDR ram @400mhz
ATI 9800 Pro 128MB DDR
ABIT NF7 S462 NFORCE2 motherboard
ENERMAX 365W PSU

now i forget how high up i can upgrade my CPU but i think its up to 2800+
anyway i am looking for advice here.. basically i want to know what u think would help this current PC the most.. an extra 512MB ram stick? or the faster CPU?

money-wise, which would be the better investment at this point?
i can't have both...don't have that much cash so i gotta choose.

here.. i'll make a poll, but please, post ur reasons..

 

[[Matt]]

A 2800+ would be a useless upgrade... unless you really do want that 1fps performance boost in hl2?? An extra 512mb of ram would give a larger performance boost but only in games that use a lot of memory.

My advice... keep that cash for a new PC when the time comes as both upgrades will be minor...

 

[blahblahblah]

I would say, save your money and buy World of Warcraft.

Seriously, the performance increase for bumping up your CPU to a 2800+ will have no performance improvement in games at all. There isn't simply enough a speed bump to justify the cost at all.

As for the RAM, that is a mixed bag. It will help you out, but if you have a limited amount of money, I suggest you save it for a new computer or a rainy day. RAM will only help on the loading side of things.

Your computer is still very good, but if you are on a limited budget, just keep your money. That computer will still be more than enough to handle any game coming out for the next year and a half.

 

[pr0nking]

I would say buy a $500 Mach 2 phase changer and overclock that mofo >

 

[Vesh]

Vapor phase change is overrated simply because of the price of the units. If they were easier to install and reuse there would be an argument for the expense. Besides... VapoChill kicks Prometia several new ones. =P

Anyway, I say buy another 512MB then save cash to build a more up to date system later. Granted the current system isn't leading edge but with a full 1GB it would still be a decent gaming box.

 

[Asus]

If you want to upgrade then I would add the 512MB of memory for a total of 1GB. It would be the cheapest upgrade and it would probably be compatible with your next computer if you wanted to use it with it.

The 2800+ would be a waste considering you have a 2500+.

Adding more memory will help with loading times and any time data is stored in your harddrive instead of memory when a game needs more space, it will help how the game runs in that regard. Either better FPS or get rid of any dips/lag when the PC transfers data from your harddrive to memory that it needs for upcoming models/textures/sounds for the rest of the map.

You have a good system as it is but it's up to you if it's worth upgrading. I voted 512MB memory because it doesn't cost a lot to do.

 

[Asuka]

neither would help, its best to save the money and build a better PC

Just because i hate upgrading.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

thanks for the input guys :thumbs:
i will show my brother this thread since he was the one more interested in these upgrades.

i kinda already know what he will say...something along the lines of "fine, no upgrade but we ain't building a new PC any time soon thats for sure"

oh well.

 

[StainlessJ-FPGA]

If you want to upgrade then I would add the 512MB of memory for a total of 1GB. It would be the cheapest upgrade and it would probably be compatible with your next computer if you wanted to use it with it.

An upgrade to increase performance now, AND later? BRILLIANT!

 

[lePobz]

Another memory stick would let your motherboard double your memory bandwidth too. You wouldnt really notice a CPU increase from 2500 to 2800

 

[The Hulk]

More than likely, if your motherboard can take a 2800+, it could take a 3000+ (might need a BIOS update like mine did). Not worth the upgrade from 2500+ to 3000+, or from 512MB to 1G RAM.
If anything, buy a $30 super deluxe CPU heatsink and fan and OC your CPU to 2800+ speeds - AMD Athlon can handle it.
Then keep saving for a AMD FX system next year =)

If you have money to burn and just have the need for a good upgrade, go buy yourself 2 X SATA Raptor drives (10K speed, either 36G or 74G) and RAID 0 them together. Loading times and overall access will be greatly improved.

 

[lePobz]

Raid 0 or 1 on raptors is utterly pointless - the overall speed remains exactly the same. (THG benchmarks)

Just one raptor is enough... (36gb should be enough for a system drive, as long as you have 120gb or so slave for long-term storage).