Need upgrade help pretty please.

[Rizing]

I have 143$ to try and update my pc. Its about 3-4 days old and im on a pretty hefty budget and cant really buy a new pc or something. I currently have a Gateway 830 GM wich I have upgraded myself.
I have:
- XFX 8600 GTS 1gb Fatal1ty edition (theres only one kind of model of these)
- Intel MB with 1 PCI-E x16
- Intel 3.0 Ghz Proccessor with HT
- 2 GB of Corsair TwinX PC3200 (the ones with LEDs)
- Razer Lycosa KB
- Logitech Laser Mouse
- 250 GB HDD 5400 RPM (dont know what brand to tell you the truth)
- and 300 PS (which I would have to upgrade)
- All this running on Windows XP

I know this isnt a great gaming pc and stuff but this is all I can get.

Now here comes my problem. I play games like MW2 (medium to high settings) and AION with medium to low settings which I never minded since I have a 17'' screen (1280x1024 max res.) Im starting to play SC2 since I got that as well. FFXIV is coming soon and im gonna want to play that with friends while they play on their PS3 (while quitting AION of course.) I also have another GPU, a BFG 8600 GTS 256 MB. I use the 8600 GT since it has more on board ram even though its a bit slower. Wish I had an SLI mobo to SLI the 2 cards.

Now the problem is wanting to upgrade my pc by doing 2 things or maybe 3 (if I wanted more RAM, I wish I had more RAM.). Would it be better to upgrade my PS and buy a better GFX card like maybe a 9800 GTS or something like that or maybe upgrade the PS and buy a new mobo that could put the 2 current cards I have in SLI while using the current parts I have such as the CPU and RAM. Im not sure which would better to go with.

I know I need more ram and maybe a faster HDD but this would be my quickest way of getting better gaming performance. I play literally all day when im at home so I would like to get something I could really enjoy and know I spent my moneys worth.

I would really appreciate some help from you guys if possible.

 

[Coaxial]

Are you comfortable replacing your CPU/Mobo/RAM? Your CPU is killing you, a P4 may even be holding back your 8600! PSU isn't really cutting it for most modern stuff either. I'd save up the money until you can upgrade at the very least your PSU, CPU, Mobo and RAM. You can carry over the hard drive and video card which will get you by...but you'll likely want to replace those as well.

 

[AltTabbins]

Theres a point where its not worth wasting more money on new hardware for an old system. You've reached that point. Time for a new build.

 

[Rizing]

Im guessing you guys are right. Im assuming I would have to keep my gfx card and get a new PSU, CPU, RAM, and Mobo. What would be my best choice right now with the 143$?? I would like quality stuff but not the top of the line as this is all the money I have, until for another 3 months or so....... The mobo would have to have SLI as I would be able to use my 8600's. Im guessing the mobo and CPU would me the most expensive. Im guessing this wouldnt cut it anyways as seeing im on a very tight budget.

Im guessing you can close this thread as its useless.

 

[450]

Don't bother getting an SLI mobo for dual 8600's. You can get one $40 card that'll beat their performance easily. Each 8600 only has 32sp...

Do you have a microcenter near you? You can get a modern cpu + mobo for $63+tax. Re-use the optical drive, case if possible, cables, etc.

 

[vjcsmoke]

Is that a socket 775 motherboard? What is the exact cpu that you have? because intel 3 ghz doesn't really tell us much.

 

[blastingcap]

Don't bother getting an SLI mobo for dual 8600's. You can get one $40 card that'll beat their performance easily. Each 8600 only has 32sp...

Do you have a microcenter near you? You can get a modern cpu + mobo for $63+tax. Re-use the optical drive, case if possible, cables, etc.

+1. I think they're having a sale for AM2+/3 mobos with Athlon II and Phenom II CPUs. Add some cheap RAM, and if you want you can even reuse your HDD and PSU. After the mobo/CPU/RAM switch you are ready to upgrade your video card, but if you are out of money by that point, you can limp along with the 8600 until you can afford something better. Consider selling your system or parts of it, to help fund the new build.

 

[Dangman]

Im guessing you guys are right. Im assuming I would have to keep my gfx card and get a new PSU, CPU, RAM, and Mobo. What would be my best choice right now with the 143$?? I would like quality stuff but not the top of the line as this is all the money I have, until for another 3 months or so.......

Unless you live near a Microcenter, you cannot get decent PSU, CPU, RAM, and mobo for $143. You're better off saving your money

The mobo would have to have SLI as I would be able to use my 8600's. Im guessing the mobo and CPU would me the most expensive. Im guessing this wouldnt cut it anyways as seeing im on a very tight budget.

Don't bother with SLI. Not a good idea at all.

Is that a socket 775 motherboard? What is the exact cpu that you have? because intel 3 ghz doesn't really tell us much.

Most likely socket 478 since he listed PC3200 RAM.

 

[Red Falcon]

Theres a point where its not worth wasting more money on new hardware for an old system. You've reached that point. Time for a new build.

+1

In the end OP, you'll spend more money upgrading an end of life system than you would just buying brand new components.

I'm sure you can reuse your HDD, optical drive, PSU, case, etc.

But the CPU/mobo/RAM/GPU have to all be upgraded.

The dual-core in my netbook has more processing power than your P4. You have to upgrade your CPU as no modern game will run decently, if at all, with that processor.

If you do upgrade fully, get at least 4GB memory, anything less is too little this day an age, unless you just browse the web and do basic stuff.

Your GPU needs to be upgraded, but honestly, that would be the last component I would focus on since that can transfer to the next system until you can get more funds.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Rizing]

Thank you everyone for your help and it looks like im gonna have to save my money and try to get some more, dont know when thats gonna happen.

 

[PrincessFrosty]

Theres a point where its not worth wasting more money on new hardware for an old system. You've reached that point. Time for a new build.

I honestly wouldn't bother either, it's just a little bit too old to really be worth upgrading. You'll honestly be better off if you save for a period of time and aim to get a mid range new PC which will seriously blow your current rig away and offer you a really big increase in quality.

$143 seems very specific, I'm just guessing here you're probably a bit younger and only work a little bit? I'd suggest getting some more work if you can, save like crazy, then shoot for a new PC, you'll get a great gaming experience and it'll feel really rewarding. I did this all throughout my younger years, feels good man

 

[Rizing]

I honestly wouldn't bother either, it's just a little bit too old to really be worth upgrading. You'll honestly be better off if you save for a period of time and aim to get a mid range new PC which will seriously blow your current rig away and offer you a really big increase in quality.

$143 seems very specific, I'm just guessing here you're probably a bit younger and only work a little bit? I'd suggest getting some more work if you can, save like crazy, then shoot for a new PC, you'll get a great gaming experience and it'll feel really rewarding. I did this all throughout my younger years, feels good man

Just got outta college spring semeser and Im gonna start working in about a month so in maybe 3 months ill have about 1200 all for myself. I have decided to save me the money right now and wait until later to buy a new PC. I really appreciate the comments and ideas!!