Upgrading my computer

[Roostervier]

Ok, I have a $580 budget, and I am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I'm not a hardcore gamer, and I don't mind having a slightly worse video card. Also, note that I'd like to have my machine work some what efficiently and effectively for the next two or so years, so that need supersedes all else.

First configuration:
Pros - Better CPU
Cons - the 320 is lacking
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8141/wishlistqq9.jpg

Second Configuration:
Pros - the 640 is ok
Cons - Less CPU, $5 over budget
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/230/wishlist2ph8.jpg

[edit - for more configurations]

Third Configuration:
Pros - 640, more CPU than the second configuration
Cons - Less CPU, less HDD Space, $8 over budget
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/5412/wishlist3du8.jpg

[Phopojijo]

First one looks to be quite low on the videocard -- second looks to be a bit low on the processor. Any other opinions?

[Roostervier]

Thanks for the help on AIM, first of all. Second, I have a third set up, it adds .2GHz to the clocked speed of the processor, and takes off 70 GB of the hard drive.

[Roostervier]

No overclocking, and I am leaning towards the first...

[Roostervier]

Yeah... I am not finding anything better, and the 320 may be somewhat limiting, but over all I think more CPU and more HDD space is what I need.

[Roostervier]

Well, I probably won't be getting a new monitor for a very long time, and it only displays 1024x768 anyway, so it will probably have an even higher frame rate.

[Xetsuei]

Why are you going for the A64 X2's and not the Core 2's?

[Bastinka]

Go for what feels right, you'll know what I mean. :)

[Roostervier]

Well, when talking to phop, we agreed that AMD would be the better choice in my case. Normally I'd stick with Intels, though.

[mech]

I have no knowledge of computer components so I'm just posting to say something
:)


I know what you mean. :)