Upgrading for the holidays?

[PsyvariarDC2]

Hey, I'm about to get Half-Life 2 and since Christmas is just around the corner, I'm thinking about upgrading my computer. But the problem is that my budget is only around $150. Here's what I have right now:

Pentium 4 1.90GHz
256MB RAM
GeForce2 MX/MX 400

Any recommendations on what I should upgrade to?

Oh btw, this is my first post here!

 

[Shamrock]

Everything sadly...

 

[bosox188]

Hmm... I'd say your best bet is another stick of 256 ram and a 9600 pro or even better 9600xt.

 

[bryanf445]

Everything sadly...

welcome to the forums...and 150 wont get him a new system, yea go get 256 mb ram and a 9600 that will do ya good

 

[[Matt]]

Hmm... I'd say your best bet is another stick of 256 ram and a 9600 pro or even better 9600xt.

cant go wrong with that suggestion.

 

[PsyvariarDC2]

Thanks, I'm running a stock Dell Dimension 4400. Is there anything else worth upgrading in the future? (after Christmas, that is )

 

[bryanf445]

ram and the video card

 

[Shamrock]

Your processor.

 

[Ryjalon5k]

Imma get a video card 9800 pro! oh yea.

 

[Asus]

Hmm... I'd say your best bet is another stick of 256 ram and a 9600 pro or even better 9600xt.

welcome to the forums...and 150 wont get him a new system, yea go get 256 mb ram and a 9600 that will do ya good

Yeah I agree. Get a 256MB stick of memory and buy a 9600 Pro/XT card (Not SE). Online would have the best prices.

 

[PsyvariarDC2]

Thanks. What's the difference between Pro and XT? I'm considering on ordering from Newegg, but theres different 9600's there with different companies (ATi, Sapphire, etc.), are they all the same? Or which kind should I buy?

 

[Killing2Live]

Im not exactly sure the differences but you get Half-Life 2 free with the 9600XT and I think the XT runs faster and better than the pro by a little.

 

[Asus]

You have to check if it comes with the card because the deal has been off for quite a while. They have to pay extra to include the voucher with their card now so most cards don't come with it.

The 9600XT is just a little faster than the 9600Pro with 400MHz Core/600MHz Memory. But there is a noticable difference compared to the 9600Pro with 400MHz Core and 400MHz Memory.
Ignore memory (128MB vs 256MB).