CPU advice plz

[Double_J]

I am looking to get my machine faster. I currently have a XP3200 chip with a gig of OCZ RAM. I do some gaming but nothing extreme. I want to spend a couple of hundred on a faster chip. Would it be better to find a deal on a opteron or pick up a 4200 X2? I am not really interested in over clocking it so it needs to be a drop in a use.

Any suggestions what would be the biggest bang for the buck?

[hello1214]

e6300(conroe) but you would need new mobo

[Double_J]

New memory too. I would love that chip but it would not fall in my price range once its all setup.

[radeonboy]

e6300(conroe) but you would need new mobo
:arrowu: :arrowu: coming from an AMD fanboy, this IS the way to go at this point in time. No comparision.

Edit: Or go this cheap but great route.

Mobo: Asrock 775Dual-VSTA (Can use DDR 1 and AGP) - around $75 bucks
CPU: E6300 (and manage to overclock it a little with the asrock board)
RAM: Use your existing DDR400 ram
Video: Use existing AGP if available.

Darn thats sick.

[hello1214]

you dont need new memory just use existing one like above postsays...should cost you around 300 for mobo+cpu

[Double_J]

Would there be much of a performance hit? I currently have a 9800 PRO AIW so that AGP board would go nicely.

[akito925]

Just overclock the chip..

nothing to lose, you gonna buy a new cpu anyways..
I am looking to get my machine faster. I currently have a XP3200 chip with a gig of OCZ RAM. I do some gaming but nothing extreme. I want to spend a couple of hundred on a faster chip. Would it be better to find a deal on a opteron or pick up a 4200 X2? I am not really interested in over clocking it so it needs to be a drop in a use.

Any suggestions what would be the biggest bang for the buck?

[Amourek]

There's an Asrock S939 board which AGP/PCI-E with DDR, but S939 CPUs are at their EOL (end of life).

Asrock 775 board with AGP/PCI-E, DDR/DDR2 sounds like your best alternative. Keep in mind you should get a new power supply as well, something ATX 2.0 compliant.