Is the time right to upgrade?

[gurusan]

Well to be fair so do you...if he were to OC the cpu to 2.8-3.0ghz and get a better gpu that would be plenty sufficient as the GPU is really the most important thing in a gaming setup.

 

[Xarulsis]

The problem with picking up an intel processor is that my mobo only supports an amd processor. It's really not worth it to me to replace my whole mobo.

I am also quite weary around the whole subject of overclocking, to me it seems a bit dangerous and above my paygrade to overclock to extremes. Pushing my 4200+ an extra .6 ghz seems like a fairly big push in the clock speed. I also wanna stay away from any physical modding whatsoever. My computer runs pretty cool and I suppose it wouldn't hurt to just order some RAM and a new card and just try to overclock my processor. If it quits on me or doesn't go up as high as I please I can always pickup a new processor. But back to the physical modding... is it possible to overclock my CPU to 2.8 ghz without volt modding?
Basically my plan is to upgrade my computer now and have it last for another 2 years and then do a serious upgrade, or build from scratch a new computer in 2 years.

 

[Nagasama]

i had a windsor 4200 and yes it will do 2.8 with no problem and no volt modding. you dont volt mod cpus, unless you have an old one you are willing to fry. you may raise the voltage in the bios, but you physically volt mod motherboards and gpus.

 

[Xarulsis]

Thanks for the information. I guess the only question I have left is which RAM to use. This is what I have been considering.
Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
The price is good, the reviews are very favorable, and I'm pretty certain it will work with my current RAM. Does anyone have any opinions on this choice? Thanks to everyone for the help thus far.

 

[gurusan]

mixing memory is not a good idea. You should get exactly the same kind as the set already installed.

 

[Xarulsis]

I finally found what memory I have installed.
Newegg.com - GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
The problem is that I can't find it anywhere to purchase the RAM I need. Do I need to buy all new ram, or can I just mix ram with the same specs?

 

[Nagasama]

as long as the voltage requirements are the same, they will be fine. you probably want to get the same timings as well (ie 5-5-5-15).
your geil says 1.8V - 2.2V, and the A-data is 1.8V so they will probably be fine. i have mixed ram before, but to be absolutely certain there will be no problems, then you should buy the same ram or all new.
a data has a 4gb set on newegg for like 80 bucks.
Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
and it comes with a free 2gb flash drive, yay!

 

[dario03]

When you overclock you do not have to push the cpu to its limits. I could push my cpu a bit more but I choose not to because the little extra mhz would require more volts. But as long as I keep it where it is now it was a very quick and safe overclock.

 

[Xarulsis]

I guess I have my game plan. I'll post what my final build should look like for any last minute critiques.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops (OC to 2.8ghz)

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100242L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Newegg.com - NZXT PP500 500W ATX 12V V2.01 Power Supply - Power Supplies (Not exactly but close)

Newegg.com - Maxtor DiamondMax 21 STM3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

+dvd and floppy drive

 

[veg1992]

The RAM... its DDR2 800 @ 5-5-5-18... that's pretty bad..

Lower is better on those (well except the DDR2 clock speed)