Which to upgrade first?

i_dingsdale · 14 Apr 2007 at 19:44

I've currently got a DFI S754 motherboard, 3400+ CPU, 1 gb RAM and a 6800GT AGP card - so my upgrade options would be very limited.

I've just managed to wangle a swap of CPU/motherboard/graphics for an MSI K8N S939, X800 and a 3500+.

This obviously won't be a real performance increase, but it does open up much more upgrade options. I don't play a huge amount of games, its more of a media center. So with this, and an upgrade to Vista imminent, which would you go for first:

New CPU, dual core 4200+ or Opteron 165?
Another gig of ram?
Or a better graphics card?

Can only afford to do one of the above, I'm thinking the CPU first, but which?

Will_3rd · 14 Apr 2007 at 19:49

Dual core cpu deffo, would go for the Opteron if it isn't too expensive

Tarty · 14 Apr 2007 at 22:03

If its more a media centre, then I'd go for the cpu first, on a certain popular auction site, I see an opteron 165 for less then £10 and and the 2x4200+ is not much less than £90, I know which I'd choose.

i_dingsdale · 15 Apr 2007 at 12:00

Tarty said:
If its more a media centre, then I'd go for the cpu first, on a certain popular auction site, I see an opteron 165 for less then £10 and and the 2x4200+ is not much less than £90, I know which I'd choose.

Thats got a few days to run though - ballpark prices seem to be about the same for the 2. Bearing in mind I wont overclock, is the 165 really a better option than the 4200?

Will_3rd · 15 Apr 2007 at 12:57

i_dingsdale said:
Thats got a few days to run though - ballpark prices seem to be about the same for the 2. Bearing in mind I wont overclock, is the 165 really a better option than the 4200?

if your not overclocking, then just go for the cheapest one

Cupra · 15 Apr 2007 at 14:12

Will_3rd said:
if your not overclocking, then just go for the cheapest one

seconded

media centre's dont need huge specs