This is my four-year-old alienware machine that I'm sure I overpaid for, but hasn't caused me a single problem and still plays all the latest games. However, I have the mone to make an upgrade to it, but not a lot of upgrades, so I just wanted to see what the general opinion was.

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.0
Processor: AMD Athlon(TM) XP 2200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 208MB used, 1041MB available

Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4600
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 Ti 4600
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0250&SUBSYS_87211462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: ViewSonic A72f-2

Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [FFE0]

11/9/2005 5:01:25 PM

the card is still good

i'd say ram, double it

11/9/2005 5:03:36 PM

double ram, replace the card with a 6600 GS or something when they come out.

11/9/2005 7:44:05 PM

RAM, and possibly a processor upgrade. Athlon XP's are fairly cheap these days

11/9/2005 10:41:51 PM

gracias all

11/9/2005 11:31:22 PM

id wish for three more wishes

11/9/2005 11:53:21 PM

grab an XP2500 Barton, o/c it

11/9/2005 11:53:47 PM

RAM all the way. 512, depending on what you are doing, is likely going to be the bottleneck. After that, I'd say it depends on what you are doing... Crazy ass gaming would likely benefit more from the videocard upgrade than the CPU. Heavy multitasking and Folding@Home (FREE PLUG!!!) are going to get better results from a CPU upgrade (although the multitasking will be helped more by more RAM, so...).

Of course, if your computer is like mine, you can't upgrade too far up the ladder as far as CPUs go, because the newer line of XPs might not be compatible with your motherboard. I've currently got an XP2000 and the highest I can go is XP2400, but I can't find ANYONE that has compatible chips. So I am stuck where I am... never know, though, you might luck out...

11/10/2005 1:49:19 AM

err, I was thinking 6800 gs, but I don't see any availible for AGP slotted machines and I don't know if they'll release any non-pcie versions...

so, for a huge boost over the 4600 ti, (which I do beleive performed on par with the radeon 9700 xt's)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A10550&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A9639&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=48&Submit=Property

one of those cards would help.

11/10/2005 5:26:35 PM