what should i upgrade first?

[Max-Powers]

win2k
athlon xp 2000
asus a7v266-e mobo
gforce fx 5600
512 ddr ram pc2100
a really old 20 gig and 40 gig hard drive
gamesurround muse 5.1 dvd
some asus 52x cdrom
haupauge pvr 150 tv tuner
(geting benq 1620 dvd-rw drive)
(logitech 5500 speakers on thier way )
19'' lcd benq fp937s
some old 15 or 17'' ctr
a really old crappy case that is really ugly and a pain to open up.

i am really thinking about just geting a new case, mobo/cpu, and video card. but might just go with video card and cpu. but i can only go as high as a athlon xp 2600. if i was to upgrade the mobo i would install windows XP. dont think i really need a new hard drive because i will free up alot of space with the dvd burner. going for a HTPC. got my ps2 hooked up and watch tv on my 2nd moniter and cruise the net with the other one. sims 2 and doom3 play crappy. hl2 is okey on low.
what do you recomend i upgrade? a modest budget. depends on how cool it will be. help me out here. i know i need a boost. so slow =(

 

[Foz2001]

you should install windows XP regardless of an upgrade

and how much are you willing to spend? It's a lot easier for ppl to give advice if there is some kind of budget laid out.

 

[Max-Powers]

not sure.... maybe 550 for everything. 600?..
im going for a HTPC, but not really going for the silent fans and HTPC case. just a normal computer that happens to do whatever i want it to do.

 

[Max-Powers]

thinking about a gforce 6600 GT. only about $200.
what can my mobo support? i think its a xp 2600, just a number i remember. not to sure though.

 

[Summoner]

Get a A64 3000+ 939, Nforce3 mobo and 1gb of pc3200 ram. Should be around $400 for that, then if budget allows, get a X800pro or 6800NU card for around $300. I dont think its worth upgrading the 5600 unless you make the jump to the newer gen cards.