upgrade or get a new comp?

[lackluster]

I was wondering if i should upgrade my computer or of I should just buy a new one?
My specs now are:
CPU: AMD Athlon Processor 1060 MHz
Graphics Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce3
Memory: 384 MB
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows XP

If I upgrade I was thinking about getting 512 corsair XMS RAM and a ATI radeon 9800XT 256MB. Is this worth it with my processor speed or would I really need to upgrade that as well?

 

[nick1985]

new comp.

 

[Farmer]

It'd be difficult to upgrade without calling it a new computer (since a motherboard/cpu/ram/graphics change is probably needed). Eh, you could keep your case, thus making it an upgrade (technically).

 

[lackluster]

So in other words its not much good to replace the memory and graphics card without changing my processing speed?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: lackluster
So in other words its not much good to replace the memory and graphics card without changing my processing speed?

correct

 

[sandorski]

What motherboard do you have? Type of memory?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: nick1985
new comp.

 

[tweeve2002]

It would be easier to build a new computer and keep your case to put it in.

 

[Bovinicus]

Give us all of your system specs. In particular, what memory and motherboard? A CPU upgrade alone would probably give you a nice boost.

 

[Harvey]

My basic rule is, unless the upgrade you're considering is relatively inexpensive, or it's an addition to existing capability, it's better to buy a new setup. This is because a whole working, relatively current system can usually be sold for more than the used price of the individual components. When you add that money to your projected budget for upgrades, it's often enough to pay for the parts for a new system.

For example, more RAM would help your machine. If it's DDR, it's fairy inexpensive. If it's PC133, it'll cost a little more. In either case, you'd be adding to the existing capability. If you can use the performance increase, a new vid card would also help, and it wouldn't be too hard to find a home for your GF3. You didn't say how big your hard drive is, but that's another inexpensive upgrade, and many people have use for a decent size (> 20 GB) hard drive.

Your final choice really depends on what you need or want, for now, and what you can afford to spend. If you're independently wealthy, you can disregard all of this and go for whatever you want.

 

[CraigRT]

i'd go new machine, the cost of upgrading will be 80% of the cost of buying a new PC.
sell that one off, and use the money to pay for the new one

 

[dullard]

Welcome to Anandtech.

I'd say the most likely thing holding you back is your CPU. Without knowing your motherboard, it'll be hard to know what CPU you can install. Very likely just a cheap CPU upgrade will be enough for now.

If you don't get a new CPU, a new video card would not help much - your CPU is holding you back. Also, while I'd like to have 512 MB in your machine, that probably isn't worth the expense either for just 128 MB more. Neither upgrade alone will help much.

The best bet would be a memory/video card/CPU upgrade (and possibly a motherboard) but then that is basically a new computer. So I'd personally just get a whole new computer in that case (assuming you cannot just get a cheap CPU upgrade to make you happy).

 

[Soulkeeper]

i say you upgrade the cpu to the max the board supports (assuming it is socket A)
you might have to update the bios, but this should give you a good boost for now till something catches your eye later on

much cheaper just to upgrade
maybe even add some more mem

let's see 2400+ or 2500+ (maybe even 1700+ if you want to take the cheapest way out) and another 256mb of mem might be nice


also it would depend on what games/apps you are gonna use the thing for

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: lackluster
I was wondering if i should upgrade my computer or of I should just buy a new one?
My specs now are:
CPU: AMD Athlon Processor 1060 MHz
Graphics Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce3
Memory: 384 MB
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows XP

If I upgrade I was thinking about getting 512 corsair XMS RAM and a ATI radeon 9800XT 256MB. Is this worth it with my processor speed or would I really need to upgrade that as well?

Your CPU will definitely hold that video card back. Hell, that CPU is probably holding your GF3 back somewhat. My CPU is definitely holding back my Radeon 8500 significantly. Actually, I'm in a similar situation as you are. I'm upgrading the Moobox in my signature. I'm upgrading the CPU from a 1GHz@1.13GHz to 2GHz (XP 2400+). As well, I'm putting in a 3rd 256MB stick of memory. I'm also getting a better heatsink/fan combo, but that is just so I can reduce the noise of my system. For an upgrade of less than $150 including the heatsink, I feel it is worth it.