Upgrading an old Pentium 4

[PuRpLeSmUrF]

I have a old dated Pentium 4 that I am looking to upgrade so I can play a few MMORPG's smoother. Namely WoW and Warhammer.

Specs:
Intel Pentium 4 530.
Prescott

Mobo: Dell Mobo...with the locked bios

GPU: Radeon 128mb X300

RAM: 2x 256mb of some Micron Tech. DDR2 3200
1x 512mb Hyundai Electronics DDR2 3200

I have a budget atm of about 135$ what should I replace in order to get the most significant increase in performance?

 

[brinks]

Video card is what you want to upgrade for better gaming.

 

[PuRpLeSmUrF]

Well, Im trying to get the most bang for the buck..so I Think I will try to replace ram as well.

These are the cards I narrowed it down to.
(The Graphics card Rankings is an awesome help )

The HD 3870
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards


The GeForce 9500 GT

Newegg.com - XFX PVT95GYALG GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
( I couldn't find this one on the graphic card rankings though)
and

The HD 4670
Newegg.com - MSI R4670-2D512 Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

RAM: Im going with what was suggested in the stickied recommended hardware post

2X1gb OCZ
Newegg.com - OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

2x1 gb OCZ Reaper
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Are these memory and gpu's good for OCing because I plan on using them for whenever I get the funds to build a rig...and, I'd like to do a bit of OCing whenever that comes.

Smurfin Smurf!

Search the forums( There are a million and a half post similiar to yours) and utilizing wikepedia will smurfin help you alot on question you might have...

through the above method I found a nifty tool so you can compare video cards yourself....
ORB - ATI Radeon HD 4670 performance comparison, popularity and price data

and useing a little common sense when you are researching/searching forums and what not...you can probally figure out most of your own questions and save the other posters from answering questions that have been discussed in post like yours.



Have a smurfin day!

 

[Trotter]

RAM has got stupid cheap right now.
Newegg.com - Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
$18. Snag two and use the 3.whatever your OS let's you use.

You will have to check the wattage and amps of your power supply to see what it can handle, as it will be your limiting factor for a graphics card. open up the side panel and check the side of the PSU to get your numbers.

That 3870 requires a 450W PSU, but so does this 4830 for only $10 more:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
The 4830 will keep pace with the 3870, run cooler, and overclock further (not tied to motherboard BIOS).

 

[hikaricloud]

What trotter said, the 4830 will suit you just fine if your PSU can handle it. Forget the 9500GT, no point to getting that.

 

[PuRpLeSmUrF]

Well, I just ordered the 4830.
Newegg.com - MSI R4830-T2D512 OC Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

I do need a new PSU though as mine is only a crappy dell issued 300W.

I was thinking of.

Newegg.com - FSP Group AX500-PN Max: 450W Peak: 500W ATX2.2 Power Supply - Power Supplies

or

Newegg.com - Rosewill RP550-2 550W ATX12V v2.01 Power Supply - Power Supplies.

Either one of those should be enough for the 4830 which calls for a 450W correct?

 

[philbar71]

the rosewill is the better of the 2 you picked but i recomend spending a little more and getting a quality psu like this one

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

 

[Thorn]

Haha, have fun with that.

 

[Whirlwind]

If you have a pcie slot and the power supply will power the 4830......then you will love that upgrade.