best upgrade for ~250?

[bazookaworm]

Right now this system consists of:

3800+ X2 AM2 - 2.4ghz
2GB DDR2-667 Ram (wintec ampo & crucial rendition)
Palit 9600GT
ASROCK AlivenF6P-VSTA mATX mobo
80gb ide drive.

For around ~250 what do you guys think will be the best upgrade? This system is mainly used for gaming.

I was thinking a 5000+ X2 BE myself and a new SATA hard drive(250gb seagate barracuda probably)

MAX budget is $250, if i stay under it would be better.

thanks

edit: and is it true you NEED ddr2-800 ram to run a 5000+ x2?someone once told me that, is this true?

 

[tiraides]

Which case do you have? The BE processor doesn't come with a HSF.

And you don't necessarily need DDR2 800 RAM for overclocking. However, depending on how far you wish to push your CPU overclock, you may be somewhat limited by the RAM speed.

 

[hossdaddy]

heres some to consider

hd: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

ram: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

cpu: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition $93.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194

cpu cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

Total: $230 + shipping.

the ram is highly overclockable
that cpu can oc to 3 gig easily

edited found better cpu deal!

 

[engiNURD]

hossdaddy's upgrades look nice.

 

[bazookaworm]

thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

5200+ X2 vs 5000+ X2 BE, which will perform best when oc'd? And will there be any noticeable difference with the g.skill ram?

 

[tiraides]

The 5000+ BE has an unlocked multiplier, which makes it a bit easier to overclock. But IIRC, they have the same approximate OC threshold.

The higher speed of the G.Skill RAM will allow you to attempt a higher overclock with the processor. But no two CPUs are the same, so YMMV.

 

[CompUSA611]

Personally, i would go for a Phenom 9500 + a good heatsink.

 

[tiraides]

Personally, i would go for a Phenom 9500 + a good heatsink.

And how would you keep everything under $250 shipped?

 

[[LYL]Homer]

If you have a Fry's around you - and aren't going to overclock:

http://www.netaffilia.com/ads/elect...o-Processor-E8400-ECS-G31T-M/2008/04/25/31673

 

[hossdaddy]

I edited my previous post with better stuff bizzump!