i want to play some of the new games that are not. that means this computer needs an overhaul or it needs to go.

relevant specs:
p4 2.4ghz 533FSB
1gig RAM
ATI 9800 Pro

looking at upgrading... swap chip, add ram, add vid card:
p4 3.06ghz 533
2gig ram
X1950

alternatively i might build a brand new computer outright:
AMD 5200 (or so)
2 gig ram
x1950

computer is for #1 playing games #2 browsing the net. looking to keep it as cheap as possible. has to be under 1k. if i can get it lower than that, yay. key is cost/gain so i can play games for a year or two; i don't need the top most awesomest shit. any opinions/suggestions?

Go new... regardless of the max speed cpu you can fit onto your current motherboard, that 533 fsb still limits you. Do it right, or don't do it all. You're only as strong as your weakest link.

p.s. $1000 on newegg can do something pretty beast... wait for the quad cores to drop price =]

Go new... regardless of the max speed cpu you can fit onto your current motherboard, that 533 fsb still limits you. Do it right, or don't do it all.Agreed. Core 2 Duo is the way to go, and the 2.13 GHz is around $220. Get a new MB with 1 GB or more of DDR2 ram and you're set, besides the graphics card, and probably your power supply. A GeForce 7900 or 7950 would do the job for about $250-300. Basically, you're looking at about $750-1,000 depending on how much you spend on RAM and which mainboard you buy.

Forget the last of the P4s. The Prescott chips are only good for E-Z-Bake ovens. :)

thanks for the input guys! i really appreciate it.

i guess i'm going core 2 duo. :)

fuck core 2, AMD AM2 ftmfw