What would you upgrade first?

[1701E]

I'm at a point that I can't figure out which part of my current computer I should upgrade first, so I figured I'd see what others opinions would be.  First off: This is a custom built computer so I am very comfortable with upgrading/replacing any and every part.  Second: We'll assume for this I can only afford one part.  And Third: No I won't go with Intel, I just spent $65 on this motherboard a few months back so I could go AM3.


So:

 Computer: 
   Computer Type   ACPI x86-based PC 
   Operating System   Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 
   OS Service Pack   - 
   Internet Explorer   8.0.7600.16385 
   DirectX   DirectX 11.0 
   Computer Name   XCELSIOR-PC 
   User Name   Xcelsior 
   Logon Domain   Xcelsior-PC 
   Date / Time   2010-04-03 / 13:11 

Motherboard: 
   CPU Type   DualCore AMD Athlon 4850e, 2900 MHz (12.5 x 232) 
   Motherboard Name   Biostar A785GE (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16, 2 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Video, Gigabit LAN) 
   Motherboard Chipset   AMD 785G, AMD Hammer 
   System Memory   2048 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM) 
   DIMM1: Transcend JM2GDDR2-8K   1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz) 
   DIMM2: Transcend JM2GDDR2-8K   1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz) 
   BIOS Type   AMI (07/22/09) 
   Communication Port   Communications Port (COM1) 
   Communication Port   Printer Port (LPT1) 

 Display: 
   Video Adapter   NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 (896 MB) 
   Video Adapter   NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 (896 MB) 
   3D Accelerator   nVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 
   Monitor   Acer X223W [22" LCD] (LAP080244200) 
   
  Multimedia: 
   Audio Adapter   Creative Audigy SE (SB0570) Sound Card
   Audio Adapter   Realtek ALC662 @ ATI SB750 - High Definition Audio Controller disabled

Storage: 
   IDE Controller   Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller 
   IDE Controller   Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller 
   Floppy Drive   Floppy disk drive 
   Disk Drive   Generic USB CF Reader USB Device 
   Disk Drive   Generic USB MS Reader USB Device 
   Disk Drive   Generic USB SD Reader USB Device (1928 MB, USB) 
   Disk Drive   Generic USB SM Reader USB Device 
   Disk Drive   WDC WD3200AAJB-00WGA0 ATA Device (298 GB, IDE) 
   Optical Drive   ASUS DRW-2014L1T ATA Device (DVD+R9:8x, DVD-R9:8x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-RAM:14x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM) 
   SMART Hard Disks Status   OK


I'm thinking CPU would be best bang for buck, but I know some say W7 with 2Gb of RAM is a sin.  Then again a 320GB HDD IDE is slightly annoying since the case (which I love) doesn't support IDE very well and the size of the Drive is small.  This is my trouble, I can't figure out what to go with first!

[BaldEagl]

I'd add 2 Gb of RAM.  Then I'd dump the Audigy and go with an X-Fi Gamer.

[Spikes]

I'd add 2 Gb of RAM.  Then I'd dump the Audigy and go with an X-Fi Gamer.

+1.

[1701E]

Question about the X-Fi Gamer, NewEgg couldn't find it and TigerDirect linked me to a 130$ Fatality one that was PCI-E, is that the one or did I just search wrong?  If that is the one, I would use it....if I had a PCI-E slot open, Motherboard only has 2x PCI slots (1 covered by 260) and 1x PCI-E x16 and 0x PCI-E x1.  If there is a PCI one that would be much better to use then my current one I'll gladly look at it.

[Masherbrum]

Sound Cards are under Input Devices under NewEgg.

Here is all of the Creative cards they carry:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010290057+50001137&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=57&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

[Ghastly]

What problem are you trying to fix?  That usually dictates what you need to upgrade...

<S>

[SIK1]

I'd add 2 Gb of RAM.  Then I'd dump the Audigy and go with an X-Fi Gamer.

+1

[oneway]

Right now we are going through a generational or cyclic change in terms of software vs hardware...the advances in hardware are switching places with past advances of software. What is presently the new stuff in terms of hardware, has created a software vacuum that will take a few years to fill out. This is normal...hardware and software change places in terms of who is driving who...for now and into the foreseeable future it is the hardware that is out ahead of the software.

Choosing to upgrade anything now comes down to two choices:

1) You take advantage of the generational hardware change to upgrade the old hardware technology you are running with the same family of components because the hardware builders/suppliers are trying to clear out legacy inventory as they re-tool manufacturing processes for the new change...and enjoy the lag of the software guys who are trying to play catch up...

2) You decide to do an across the board (no pun intended) upgrade ramping up to 64 bit OS, new ram, proc and mobo and position yourself in front of the software development along side of the hardware builders. You end up with a system that rocks...but is a few years ahead of the software that is today being written for it...

Right around the corner are 6 core procs...and after that is the 8 core proc...this legacy shift in hardware will pan itself out in a year or two...its not done yet...

If you are budget minded, stay with the last generation of hardware and take advantage of hardware such as video cards, that cost 500 bucks a year or so ago, and will soon be had for 150 bucks or less...

Jumping into the change now before it has fully panned out in the long haul will be more expensive..as you will find that as you add new components, the dependancy to the new standards forces you to buy stuff you did'nt want to replace...for instance IDE ribbon connectors are dead...many mother boards today now ship with SATA only...

Oneway

[1701E]

What problem are you trying to fix?  That usually dictates what you need to upgrade...

<S>

None, the system runs AH at 50+ FR at max settings (4K shadows), but some parts are showing their age.  CPU has been in for about 3 years, RAM longer, HDD is about 2.5 years....I like to stay slightly current but at the same time I have a budget, in that I won't spent 500$ on a GPU or 700$ on a CPU because they put "Extreme" in the title (I don't video edit, one reason I don't spend that money).  Only real trouble would be some of the newer games (Crysis, GTA) get slightly lower FR then would I would consider "acceptable" (Crysis high 30~, GTA Med 15~), but really I've been putting off upgrading these few parts for a long time....and anything that could potentially help (such as suggestions so far) are very helpful.


Depending on if I get a new HDD (and in turn likely new OS) I may get 64-bit if it is recommended.  I've never kept up with the 32/64 part so I'm never sure which to get....heard that 64 had driver issues, but 64 of course allows more RAM, etc.


As for the sound card: is it just recommending X-Fi over Audigy or was there a particular one?  Me not being use to NewEgg's new layout I couldn't find the bloody SoundCard section.
I've never noticed anything wrong with the Audigy but if it's considered to be a "get rid of it now" thing, I'll definitely keep that in mind.


Also since the RAM seems to be a big recommendation, what kind?  I can use both DDR2-800 and 1066 but I have to use 2GB sticks if I am going for 4GB total as I only have 2x DIMM slots.

Also, Oneway, I do this for fun primarily, so spending a bit more along the way is fine.....I'd rather spend 50$ now, 50$ in 2 years and so on then 500$ every 3-4 years.  Just a personal preference.  "Killer" systems are nice and all, but then you don't have anything to drool over!

[Spikes]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785

You casn probably offset the price by selling the 2gbs on ebay or something.

IMO.

[Ruler2]

I would upgrade that CPU to an AM3 if I were you, you can use it for upgraded mobos in the future, and they're good CPUs. As it is now, your 2GB of system memory and 896MB of GPU RAM are being used, but that's almost 3.2GB, the max a 32-bit OS can use, so before I got more RAM I would upgrade to a 64 bit system.

[Spikes]

I would upgrade that CPU to an AM3 if I were you, you can use it for upgraded mobos in the future, and they're good CPUs. As it is now, your 2GB of system memory and 896MB of GPU RAM are being used, but that's almost 3.2GB, the max a 32-bit OS can use, so before I got more RAM I would upgrade to a 64 bit system.

Very true...

Could you possibly pitched in the money and get a whole better system besides the SLI 260s?

[Ruler2]

Very true...

Could you possibly pitched in the money and get a whole better system besides the SLI 260s?

Spikes, a jump from that Athlon to a Phenom II would give a pretty significant performance increase. I did it, and with the same GPU, I was getting roughly 30FPS more with the Phenom II X4 940 than I was with the old Athlon II 5800. I think that would eliminate the need for a new GPU if he can get the same results.

[1701E]

Very true...

Could you possibly pitched in the money and get a whole better system besides the SLI 260s?

I never knew you were a comedian....whole new system is not happening.  I have a 64 W7 I can use but I went with 32 this go around so that's not really a problem.  SLI 260?  Where?  I only have 1....this is a Micro board ya know!

Parts I am not looking to upgrade anytime soon: Case (Aerocool M40), Motherboard (Biostar A785), PSU (OCZ 700Watt StealthX), GPU (eVGA GTX 260) or DVD Drive.  Of those only one I would consider replacing is the case....Aerocool has an updated M40 out that looks very nice.

[Spikes]

Oh it says you have two video adapters.

4GB will be uselsss w/32 bit proc...