Which upgrade for increased gaming performace?

Question

Hello. I recently put a new graphics card into my PC a XFX7600GT XXX edition. I was wondering what other upgrade should I put in, a new processor, (a jump from 2.8ghz to 3.2), another stick of DDR400 RAM, or a new sound card? Which would offer the best boost in performance? They all cost more or less $100.

Current Specs are
2.8ghz P4 with HT
1 Gig DDR400 RAM
7600GT XXX Edition
AC'97 Onboard sound card.

It's an AGP card, not a PCI-E so my choices were limited. And for the price I got it, and the performance it delivers, it's an excellent card.

Answer 1

More ram will boost your performance, especially of the gaming is graphics-intensive. A boost in processing power will also add performance. However, a jump from 2.8 to 3.2 may not give nearly the same boost as adding another gig of RAM.

Adding a better sound card will impede your performance, since it will require more cpu cycles to process the higher quality sound. Unlike graphics cards, sound cards do not come with memory to alleviate some of the load from the cpu.

Answer 2

Well The video card is a great card (despite other comments) Add another stick of ram. And better cooling on the CPU would also help and is overlooked most of the time. Water cool it. and you can cool the GPU on the graphics card too

Answer 3

You should have put that 100$ into the video card.

If you can return the 7600GT do it and use the money to get a better video card.

For about 250$, you can buy the ATI X1900 XT 512MB version, which will destroy the 7600GT.

Answer 4

I am in the same place ... same spec comp but my graphics card is a radeon 9800 256mb. I am going for 2gb ram next because a 3.2 CPU is average with 1gb ram but a 2.8 with 2 GB is ace i hope.............. hope you get some good ansows so i can get a beter idia

Answer 5

bettor procecer ur grphics card kicks *** 512mb ownege