Would a Motherboard and CPU update be better than a new graphics card?

[SY85]

Bit of a dilemma here at the moment. Was intending to buy a new graphics card, maybe a 8800GT/GTS, HD 3870 or a 9600GT...still might but wanted to fly this one past you lot first.

At the moment I am running the following :

AMD 4200 Dual Core
Gigabyte GA-M61VME-S2 Motherboard
2GB Patriot Ram
XFX 7950GT Graphics Card
19" TFT max res 1280 x 1024
Running Windows XP SP2

Now, I only have about £100 to spend, maybe a little more. Instead of a graphics card, I could use the opportunity to jump ship to Intel.

I was thinking of buying a E2180/E2200 cpu and a P35 motherboard. I know the E2180 is not a full on Core2Duo and has the reduced cache etc but, it can be overclocked big time and at least I would be able to stick a better chip in there as funds allow.

So the question is, would the CPU & Motherboard be a better way to spend the money than a new graphics card? Just trying to get the best bang per buck for my money.

Thanks all.

 

[chris74]

I would personally go with OcUK Value IP35 Pro for £70 and an E2180 for £116 if you can stretch that far than a new graphics card.

That is more likely to get the most from your card especially as it is a low res. Too be fair I would have thought the cpu and mobo you have is likely to be a bottleneck for any of the latest cards and a new mobo and cpu would be the sensible option.

 

[SY85]

Thanks m8. A few people have mentioned my current cpu and mobo being a bottleneck. Might even improve performance with my current card if I were to go the Intel route then.

£116 is ok for me

 

[SY85]

Quick update. Bought a E2180 and MSI P35 Neo2 - FR. Not overclocked yet but a massive difference already. Best money I have spent recently My AMD 4200 Dual Core is complete pants compared to this.