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Originally Posted by Akula4745
3.2GHz p4 CPU, 2 Gb RAM, ATI Radeon 9600/X1050 w/256 video memory, Creative SB Audigy sound.
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Sounds like my old system, but with an ATI x1650 card w/512 mb. My system had a few problems with the larger convoys, like slow downs in frame rates with a lot of objects being displayed. As a gamer, staying on the cutting edge is ridiculous to do. You would have to constantly be upgrading when the next best thing comes along (which is every couple of months). So putting a 4 year old system out to pasture isn't a bad idea. You've gotten your mileage out of her.
The next system should be expandable. Make sure you have the capability to have 2 video cards installed. One for now, until you get over the sticker shock of the purchase. An additional slot available when you want to upgrade. Don't scrimp on the first video card though. This is your base for the future purchase of a twin.
Just moving up from the Pentium 4 CPU is going to give you a boast in performance. To keep the purchase price manageable get a CPU that has had a large price drop recently. Last fall I bought a Quad 6600 for $180.00
U.S. Gave me a great performance boost and I still could take out the wife for dinner. When I pick up that second Video card (maybe late this year or next), the CPU will get an upgrade too.