Which to upgrade first: processor or video card?

[EZ_Bondori Zafiro]

Sorry to ninja-edit the entire post on you, Ruccus, I just didn't want to create an entire thread right after starting this one :P

I have a 1.3 ghz duron running on an older Asus board. For a video card I'm using a Radeon 7500.

Would it be better for me to first upgrade the processor to a 1.8 ghz (the max my mobo supports) or should I get a video card upgrade?

The video card I would get would be a Radeon 9600 pro.

Thanks for response! Edited by: Bondori Zafiro at: 12/29/03 12:35 am

[Ruccus]

You may as well go with PC3200, particularily if you want to overclock; it should be only a few bucks more and is guaranteed to a 200mhz fsb (instead of 166 for PC2700).

Some AthlonXPs after week 39 are locked now, so you may have to overclock the same way Intel enthusiasts do (by raising the front side bus); an XP2500+ or 2800+ should be fine. An XP2500+ may or may not get to a 200mhz fsb (2.2Ghz), and the XP2800+ won't get to a 200mhz fsb (that'd be 2.5Ghz, which is above reasonable expectations for air cooling).

[Lisboa]

Hmm... they are equally slow. I'd get the 1.8 gig Athlon upgrade first because it is so old it isn't going to decrease in cost much further, while a graphics card will. You may want to go with a private party through amdmb.com as they are reliable and often cheaper than those weird flyby night stores that still sell Palomino chips, and more reliable than ebay. Probably won't be more than $40 shipped, and at that price I'd think you would be able to get your 9600 Pro as well.
Edited by: Lisboa at: 12/29/03 1:27 am