[RandomTiger]

Hi there, was hoping someone could give me some pointers on upgrading my system. I built my last computer but that was a while ago and now Im totally out of touch with hardware.

I've had a look around sites and they have confused me and make me worry about compatiblity.

I currently have a P3 450 with a GF4 Ti 4600.

I need is a new motherboard, CPU, memory and probably a case and I hope to spend somewhere between £400-500.

Any advise is welcome, I would ask RL friends but I dont trust their judgement. Recently one of them upgraded and I had to explain to them there was a difference between GF Ti's and MX's, also he used to keep his old computer together with sticky tape and glue!

[Fineus]

I'd go with an AMD chip - and to that end you'd need:

Either an Asus or a Chaintech motherboard (I've gone for the Chaintech and loved it, but it has frills and is slightly less powerful than Asuss board - it's a choice thats up to you).

The new AMD Barton chip just got launched which may well drive current CPU prices down somewhat, give that a little time to take effect - although the current price on a 2100+ XP is pretty much nothing and they run fast enough, so again it's up to you.

A new case is always a good idea purely for cooling purposes - I intend to follow my own advice very soon

Memory? DDR... the faster the better but again it's down to you.

Really it's all about what you can afford and what you want, then balance that out. If you put an idea together and it comes out to steep then drop the memory speed slightly, or go for a slightly slower processor. Whatever works You've got a good graphics card so the faster the other components the better to do that justice.

[RandomTiger]

Thanks

[Fineus]

No problem - oh but don't take what I say as the only advice there ever was - I'm sure someone else can have something useful to say! For instance AMD chips run hot, so you'll need a decent cooling solution.

[RandomTiger]

Yer, I've learned that much from work, got a 2600 with no cooling system aside from the normal fans, only way to make it stable is to put a huge office fan next to it.

[vyper]

If I may?
I can't give specific advice on the compatibility stakes, but if you can afford it I know P4s run faster than AMD chips. At least they certainly do in my uni compared to my mates' Athlon XPs.