I can't decide to upgrade or not..

Sorry if I sound VERY indecisive I apologize. That's why I am asking for help I feel... I don't know stupid..something along those lines..

Anyway, I need a little help, I am a student and I can't really decide... my friends aren't helping since they are like "meh" do what you want. I am deciding to upgrade my computer but I only use it for school work and casual gaming currently playing Warcraft 3 only, maybe WoW still thinking.. a lot of my friends are playing it anyway I think it would be waste of money to build a complete new duo core 2 (computer or laptop) (intel or amd?) since I only use my computer for music, movies, school work and casual gaming not even hardcore graphics, even if i do decide to play WoW don't need a crazy computer right? What do you guys think? Should I wait for awhile save up until I graduate and just buy a new computer after?

Here's my current computer it's like 2-3 years old, I don't even remember.

Computer Type ACPI Multiprocessor PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard
CPU Intel Pentium 4 530J, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)
Motherboard Intel Avalon D915GAV (4 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Grantsdale-G i915G
System Memory 1504 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (08/24/05)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display
Video Adapter RADEON 9250 - Secondary (128 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9250 (RV280) <- PCI
3D Accelerator Intel GMA 900
Monitor LG L1710S [17" LCD] (15037631)

Multimedia
Audio Adapter Realtek ALC880(D) @ Intel 82801FB ICH6 - High Definition Audio Controller [B-1]

I got some cash to spend, this computer will probably last me until i graduate from college like 3 more years or 5 if I go for master degree.... probably not.. anyway.. so IF I do upgrade I probably won't get a new computer for AT LEAST until I graduate. I don't know how fast the technology is advancing..

Thinking of upgrading to:

1.5 Gigs to 2 Gigs of Ram? <- Any difference at all?
300 Gigs Hard-drive <- Definitely getting it
Video Card ?: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1929950&CatId=1560 from PCI to PCI-E <- Any difference at all?
Fan ?: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1800601&CatId=493 The fan I have now is pretty crappy loud collects dust/dirt like crazy, computer sometimes overheat 50-60 degrees maybe its my intel mobo/cpu? <- Any difference at all?

Can my computer use the upgrades efficiently or would it be a waste of money? Or should I wait for awhile and just buy a new computer? I don't even know, I am so coonfused.. Sorry if I sound VERY indecisive I apologize. Any other suggestions are welcomed. I just need someone else's opinion, since my friends aren't very helpful at the moment lol. Thanks in advance. Sorry again.. :cry

 

the best processor you can get for 478 is a pentium 4 extreme edition but you can only find them on ebay for about $140 USD

the video card you chose is great

you already have plenty of RAM, dont worry about that

it looks like you built this yourself so do you know how many watts your PSU puts out? you will need to upgrade it if its below 450W so you can run the video card

that cooler is probably the best one that you can get from that site for that price since thats the only brand they have of 478 HSFs

everything else looks fine, im still rockin' the pentium 4 as well :dood but im running mine, also a 3.0ghz, at 3.6ghz

 

I think your current setup is fine. It will run WoW perfectly. No need to upgrade what-so-ever
The only thing I can think of would be a good, mid-grade PCI-Ex video card: a 512mb Radeon x1600 Pro or x1650 Pro is a great choice. The x1600 is under $150, the X1650 under $200 (these quotes are probably a bit high as I'm using prices I remember from 4 months ago)

hopperdave2000

 

wow thanks guys fast replies! I guess I'll stick to upgrade instead of buying a new one! Need $$ to pay off my tuitions anyway haha

I did build it myself ^^ with very little knowledge don't know how I did it lol

"How many watts your PSU puts out? you will need to upgrade it if its below 450W so you can run the video card"

How do I check? lol I open my tower it's not on the power supply. Hmm still thinking on the video card so many choices as you mentioned 512mb Radeon x1600 Pro or x1650 Pro, x1600, the X1650

Hehe go pentium 4! I am gonna stick with this baby for a looooong time! I think I might buy WoW and play WoW w/ my friends

 

with the x1600 or x1650 dont get one with 512mb of RAM, its just a waste of money and wont boost performance at all since the card isnt fast enough to take advantage of the extra video ram

so there isnt any sticker on the side of your PSU that says what the output is? odd...

 

The sticker may be on the top or the other side. Take ithe PSU out and see. Being 2-3 years old, it might be good to upgrade to a better PSU. I also vote for the new video card and you should be good to go. Use the rest of the $ for school or a better monitor (not sure what you have). Duh, reread your post, 17" monitor. I love my 19" wide screen....Wish I would have had the money for a 20 or 22".

E

 

i guess when i built my computer i took the sticker off or something? lol i had no clue what i was doing to be honest, i just put random parts together... lol
baaah I have to take it out D; i guess it's probably on the other side
i'll do it when i finish school in 3 weeks home soon!! hate exams T_T almost over...!

"Use the rest of the $ for school" for sure! but i kinda want a new one if iam gonna get one might as well get 17 to 20 or 22' monitor..right? lol 19' only 2 more pssh u get my point lol but the one i have one is a gift from my mother.. i think i'll stick to it ;P

thanks again, everyone