Upgrading old rig for moderate gaming

[SarCastro]

Hey there. I'm looking to upgrade my P4 1.6A server into a server/semi-decent gaming rig before I get married and my fiancee/wife puts the kabosh on such things And not spend a ton of money doing so... Here's what I've got:

P4 1.6A
2x 512MB DDR333 mem
Intel 865 Perl Motherboard
PCI video (this is a server
17" LCD monitor

Looking for something that can run WoW, Half Life 2, Civ IV, Doom 3, and Farcry at 1280x1024 at a decent framerate (FSAA not that important to me). I could search for a 2.6 - 3.0 Northwood P4 to plop in for $150, but would that money be better spent on a new proc/mobo? Would a plain 6600 work or would a 6600GT or 6800 be a better choice? Not looking to spend more than $350... Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[discochan]

Best bet would probably be a better graphics card, any of the 6000 series will let you play those games listed. They will be on low settings but hey you'll be able to play

 

[quadnad]

If you pick up that proc you listed for 150, you'll still have a good 200 to play with, and if you look hard enough you should be able to find a used 6800gt here on the forums. Might be ~230 or so, but it'll be great for the games you listed. If you're really firm on the money, then a new 6600gt can be had for ~160 from newegg or a used 6800nu on the forums for ~180. With that extra cash you could pick up a new cooler for it (zalman cf700-cu) and give it a little oc'ing

either of those graphics options would be great for all the games you listed there.

 

[paintb4707]

I have the 6600GT and I am very satisfied with it. It IS the best bang for the buck, as I bought mine for $130 and it plays B&W2 at full settings on 1280x1024. Then again Im not sure how cpu dependant b&w2 is Im sure you could get the same results.