Build advice please.
 

Right,

My system consists of a Athlon 2600+ running on a Nforce2 motherboard. I have 1 GB DDR 400 memory (dual channel). The motherboard will take up to a 3200+ (200fsb) chip.

Currently running a Gf4 4200ti graphics card.

I have a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 750 monitor which I'm happy with.

.................................................. .......

I was thinking of upgrading the entire system including a new tft monitor (one of the nice shiny 17" ones with a 4-8ms response time) but I have stopped myself for the time being because I think that possibly a graphics card only will do for now.

The reason I think this is that any new monitor I buy will only support a similar resolution (currently I use 1024x768). A new tft might be 1280x1024 but I wont be buying anything with a bigger resolution than that.

QUESTION.

I can spend up to a maximum of about £700 on a new system. Is it worth a total upgrade bearing in mind that I will be buying EVERYTHING (except memory) so will have to compromise on stuff. Or should I buy a medium graphics card which will get the best out of my existing system for now and upgrade in 6-12 months?

I want to be able to play the new stuff like F.E.A.R. at decent frame rates but I'm not one of these bods who worries about turning full AA on and running everthing at max. As long as it looks reasonable at 1024x768 (or more likely 1280x1024) will I get away with a graphics card?


Next question is, which items should I buy whichever way I go?

You have £700??

Here you go.......

Abit AN8Ultra Nforce 4 - £88
AMD Athlon64 X2 3800 - £235
1gb PC3200 that you have - free
Tagan 480w PSU - £58
BFG OC Nvidia 7800GT - £234
all your other existing bits, case, screen etc... - free

Total - £615:norty: for a blisteringly fast system:notworthy

....all from....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

Ta muchly. Was thinking about the 3800 x2 myself but as I mainly game and don't do much multi-task stuff, thought I might get the 4000+ instead (no x2)