upgrading my computer

[notquitedead]

Hi, I was wondering if any could help me with a few questions I have about upgrading my computer to keep up with the games that are coming out (I can play HL2 with minimal lag most of the time, but when I play HL2 mods or battlefield 2 online there is a lot of lag). Here is some info about it:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Intel Pentium 4, 2600 MHz (13 x 200)
Dell Dimension 8300 (mobo)
Intel Canterwood i875P/E7210 chipset
512 MB (DDR SDRAM)
SAPPHIRE RADEON 9600 ATLANTIS (256 MB)
Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller
IC35L060AVV207-0 (60 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100) hard drive

The first thing I want/need to do is get more RAM. I'm going to get at least a gig, maybe two. I'd rather get 1GB for now and see if I even need any more. I've been comparing OCZ, Corsair, and Kingston memory on newegg.com and I don't know enough about computers to tell which is the best deal. Here are some that I've been looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144122R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141423
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144202

After I get more memory, what is the most important thing I should upgrade?

 

[jac006]

Difinitely the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144122R
After that... I'd say a graphics card. Is that pci ex or agp? That sapphire is good, but there's room for improvements. Of course, when you want a new graphics card... you'll need a good power supply. A 6800gt agp or pci ex. takes 350W+. Yeah...

 

[zoomtm]

get the cosair...the kingston is refurb and 2700.

not quite dead check ur private messages

 

[notquitedead]

I don't know if it's a pci or agp, but probably whichever is older or cheaper because I've had it for probably 6 months at the least.

zoomtm you have a pm.

Edit:
I just have a quick question about AMD processors, a lot of them look like they're really slow (under 2 GHz), do they run faster than that?

 

[jac006]

It doesn't matter the clock speed. Not at all. Intel's run at 3.8ghz and the amd fx-57 at 2.6ghz will outperform that intel cpu 10 tens over. plus, amd has a higher fsb, 2000mhz for amd compared to intel's 800mhz. Yeah. If you've had it for six months... it could be both. Download this :http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en
to find out...

 

[notquitedead]

I already had everest but I missed that part before. I just did a report and have been going off of that, but I looked under the OC section and it says it's agp.

What does the clock speed effect?

Oh and thanks for the help guys.

 

[zoomtm]

you have agp. clock speed determines how fast the card will run your games.

 

[jac006]

Ok... then yeah. agp it is. That's after the memory upgrade. How much do you have to spend? With $300, you can get one of the most powerful agp card's out. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133116
or... you can get a $150 card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145107
for less, but not a whole lot less, and still play all games...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145107
If you still want to go lower... you'd end up with the same card that y ou have now... lol. Or maybe a step higher... a 9800 pro or something similar...

 

[zoomtm]

if your on a budget a 6600gt, 6800le, 9800pro, or 9800xt are your best choices.

quite replied to ur message.

 

[notquitedead]

Is upgrading my video card that important right now? I think with more memory my computer will work fine for gaming (obviously not with the games on full settings). If all those cards are 256mb, how much of a difference in performance is between them?

Can video cards be put in dual channel like memory? I could probably get a video card similar to the one I have now for less than $100.

zoomtm I'll IM you in a sec.