upgrade processor? ram?

[brianl0202]

My pc is running slower then I'd like and I'm wondering if I should get more RAM or upgrade my processor or both (or neither)

Currently running XP home, 1GB Ram and Athlon XP 2700 processor

I have an Asus A7N8x motherboard that will support up to 3GB ram and up to an Athlon XP 3000 I believe.

Do you think upgrading to an XP 3000 would make any noticeable difference? Or should I just try adding a gig of RAM? Also I have pc2100 memory, would pc2700 or pc 3200 make much of a difference? If I upgrade my ram I might just get 2 sticks of 1GB so I can run in dual ddr since right now I have 1 512 and 2x256 pc2100

I keep my pc clean as far as spyware and viruses and all that, I just think my pc is getting old and might need a little upgrading... would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks!

[RicheemxX]

To be completely honest with you I don't see spending the cash on a new (old) cpu. You really won't see much of a speed increase, there would be some, but very little. Adding an additional 1g of ram would give you a nice boost, assuming the price is right. Personally I wouldn't spend to much money on anything

You've really got to keep in mind anything you add to that system at this time is like feeding a dying horse.

[Fizur2002]

you can get a decent intel or amd setup for cheap these days, you can get 4gigs of DDR2 for less than $50 these days and board/cpu combos easily too.

[EXreaction]

Just less than $50 for 4GB of DDR2? I've seen 4GB of DDR2 for as little as $18 shipped after a MIR.
Newegg.com - OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

[Fizur2002]

i dont personally like MIR and dont bother quoting prices with them.

[pullmyfoot]

How much are you willing to spend Brian? $300-$400 can get you a system that will stomp on that one. Sell the old one for $100-$200 and you only have to come up with a hundred or two on your own

[Fizur2002]

what are your HDD's and your optical drive(s)? If they are Sata, then most likely you can use them in a new system, if their all IDE, then you would have to get SATA HDD's and you could use your PATA (ribbon cable) optical drive.

[EXreaction]

I doubt his mobo even supports SATA.

SATA was just being introduced around that time, there were no optical SATA drives at that time, and very few SATA hard drives.

[Rootstonian]

If you can get 3 1 gig sticks for cheap, I would do that.

And there's nothing better for a system than a fresh install. Backup your data and reinstall OS.

And start saving your money; your system is getting old. I have a Compaq AMD 4200+ Dual Core at 2.2 Ghz, 3 Gig RAM (added 2 Gig). Cost? About $380 Not a screamer by all means, just trying to show you what you can get for a decent price.