looking to upgrade my system

Hi Im looking to start upgrading my desktop. Want some pointers on what to buy for my money.
Currently

Asus k8v-se motherboard
athlon 64x2 4200+ processor
2 x 1gig kingston ram ddr2
geforce 8800gt graphics
??? 5.1 soundcard
sata2 200gb hard drive
liteon sata2 dvdrw

I hoping first to get a new mobo, prefer to stay athlon, dont want to spend massive money but want potentially more ram. Current board limits at 2gig.
Any pointers here first?

 

Just keep in mind that a 32 bit OS cant see more than 3GB of RAM. I dont know if i would spend the money on it unless you're really having problems with what you have.

 

I thought he said the mobo limit was 2GB, so I dont think he could get to 3GB if he wanted. Whats the o/s. If you want to free up more RAM quickly get rid of Vista, 1GB to run *grumble grumble*.

 

I see your CPU is 64 capable so why not get windows 7RC that is free to download and use for up to a year and that will allow you to use as much ram as you want\need.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx

and then you can evaluate the performance of your existing hardware and decide what you want to do with it.
If you are going for gaming you need a good graphics card and good ram so you need a budget analysis as to how much you can afford.
Don't be fooled into thinking you can put a GTX295 ($500) and get an enormous performance increase because you will need a faster CPU and a good strong PSU.
so give us an idea of what you want and your budget then we can look at options for you.

PS the mobo is rated for 3gb ram.

http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Asustek-Asus-Skt754-K8T800-AGP8x-SATA-GigLan-WIFI-USB2-0-Mobo

 

Quite right, thats me corrected.

 

First of all, what is your budget?
Secondly, what do you use it for?
If games specify the highest quality game.

 

sorry I should of been more specific, I dont use the pc for much gaming but do like flatout ultimate carnage and tomb raider underworld. The current mobo is rated at 2gig not 3, its the k8v-x se, I am running xp pro, not vista.
I am hoping to just switch mobo for now to something that gives me a bit more flexibilty for future upgrades right now. My budget is, I am tighter than a ducks butt!!!

 

just my opinion man, but if you dont have much of a budget, it wouldnt really be worth upgrading your mobo just to add an extra gig of ram. if you want to go with more than 3GB, youd have to upgrade your OS to a 64bit which is going to cost you a couple hundred. your vid card, the 8800gt is a nice card i think if you dont play a lot of high end games. i really dont see it as being worth the money to upgrade that system if you dont really have the money to spend.

as for the future upgrades, youd probably be better off putting money aside until youre ready to get a new computer. again, just my opinion.

 

Well, as I said to everyone else, I just bought and built my own system for under $2000 AUD ... HERE it is ...