Upgrade for multimedia PC, what would provide best boost in performance?

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A work colleague of mine bought a rig from the purple shirters. His main use for rig is multimedia / high end audio, hardly any gaming at all. However, he wants to boost performance and has asked me for advice.

I3 550 @ 3.2 Ghz
Board : Packard Bell IMedia S3810
5GB DDR3 (no idea what speed he's running)

Would people agree that potential options are:

1 - Go for an SSD, cheapest option. Which one?
2 - Just board upgrade and cooler, would probably require new copy of Windows but would allow for overclock of CPU. if so, what is a good multimedia board?
3 - Go for an all out OcUk Mobo / CPU / memory upgrade (again would require new copy of windows I think.

He recently purchased an XFi titanium so is happy with sound quality I think, GPU running is GTX 430. Upgrade is mainly for speed bost / general performance.

EDIT: He's just told me budget is £200 max, so that kind of puts the bundle out of the question I guess?
 
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The trouble with pre-built Pc's from manufacturers like packard bell, hp, dell etc is that they often use non-standard cases and power supplies. Just be sure that whatever upgrade is picked will fit and work in the case.

An ssd will make everything snappier so I would go with that.
 
I believe he describes himself as one of these 'audiophile' types (spends £5000 + on hi fi equipment etc) and I think the main function of the rig will be running an output from the amp of the hi fi system to the Soundcard (another edit it's the titanium HD apparently)

He also wants to run blu rays and DVD's etc.

I'll suggest the Crucial M4 to him, and up to him to decide on a capacity because he's also mentioned he wants a 1TB HD.

Might run into a sticking point if I offer to help him with the installation because he says he's got no windows disc at home.
 
as mentioned by clav, the case/psu can be awkward in hp/dell builds double check things before buying.

if he spends that on kit i'm surprised he went the them.
 
to be honest lads he's a classic purple shirter customer. You tell them NOT to go there (almost beg) and in the end they end up still going because they 'like to be able to take it back if it doesn't work'.

I think I'll have to go round his house to check the parts will be compatible first. Good idea.
 
to be honest lads he's a classic purple shirter customer. You tell them NOT to go there (almost beg) and in the end they end up still going because they 'like to be able to take it back if it doesn't work'.

have you tried beating him round the head with a big stick ? :D.

check the setup get any details off it you can, psu make/model etc, also load up cpu-z and see what other info it lists for the system.
 
have you tried beating him round the head with a big stick ? :D.

check the setup get any details off it you can, psu make/model etc, also load up cpu-z and see what other info it lists for the system.

He's gonna have a look inside the machine tonight. I'll probably end up going over myself, owe him a BIG favour because he machined me a new red perspex window for my HAF-X for a fiver.

Will post back with findings.
 
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