What should I upgrade for maximum increase in performance?

[b_rad]

My system details are listed below. I am looking for the best overall peformance increase (video editing/encoding, photoshop, gaming, etc.). I only have budget to do an upgrade of $250. I am at a loss for what to throw my money into. Is it worth it to save up and buy a new 939 mobo and processor?

Computer Details/Setup:
Operating System: Win XP Pro
CPU Speed: AMD 64 3000+
Harddrive space: 37.4GB WD Raptor, 160GB WD IDE
RAM Memory: 1024mb pc3200
Video Card: Asus Geforce FX 5700 128MB
Capture Card: WinTV PVR 250 PCI
Motherboard: Asus K8V Deluxe
DVD/CD: BenQ-DVD+-RW, DL
Desktop DVD Recorder: LiteOn Combo Drive 16X

[edDV]

Two different problems.

Encoding: use 512MB-1GB RAM and the fastest CPU you can get.

Games: You may get the largest boost with a new 3D display card.

The machine in your profile should do well at both.

[rallynavvie]

Actually a new video card would breathe a lot of life back into that system. Mostly just on the gaming end but that's where you'll notice it the most. Unless you're doing video encoding a LOT, as in you spend most of your time working with video, then maybe you'd want to get a new rig entirely.

[Soopafresh]

Not a bad system at all as it is. I agree with rally that your weakest link is your video card. The 6600GT in this case would be in your budget and will also be very good for Mpeg2 and AVC playback, not to mention games. Get one with 256MB of RAM.

[redwudz]

I had that same MB. An easy boost would be to set your Front Side Bus speed to about 215Mhz or up to 220Mhz from the stock 200Mhz. The VIA chipset can't handle much more.

[jagabo]

You can get an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ for not much more than your budget. That can come close to doubling your encoding speed depending on what encoders you use (TMPGEnc for example). Won't help current games much though.

Oh wait, you're probably talking $250 Canadian.

[ROF]

You can get an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ for not much more than your budget. That can come close to doubling your encoding speed depending on what encoders you use (TMPGEnc for example). Won't help current games much though.

Oh wait, you're probably talking $250 Canadian.

You'd have to buy another motherobard to use a dual core. The K8V is the older Socket 754 which is pretty much topped out with the current processor in place. Speaking of which is it a Sempron or Athlon? Which family? Do you have Dual Channel RAM(2x512MB)?

I'd save my money and buy an upgraded board with a newer processor to experience a true speed boost. If you plan to upgrade soon you may also need to buy a power supply converter to support the 24 pin of newer motherboards as well. Since you don't have an advanced graphics port you are pretty much limited to a small increase by buying a top of line AGP card. The K8V was a nice board but it has long since seen it's day.

[jagabo]

You can get an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ for not much more than your budget. That can come close to doubling your encoding speed depending on what encoders you use (TMPGEnc for example). Won't help current games much though.

Oh wait, you're probably talking $250 Canadian.

You'd have to buy another motherobard to use a dual core. The K8V is the older Socket 754 which is pretty much topped out with the current processor in place. Speaking of which is it a Sempron or Athlon? Which family? Do you have Dual Channel RAM(2x512MB)?

I'd save my money and buy an upgraded board with a newer processor to experience a true speed boost. If you plan to upgrade soon you may also need to buy a power supply converter to support the 24 pin of newer motherboards as well. Since you don't have an advanced graphics port you are pretty much limited to a small increase by buying a top of line AGP card. The K8V was a nice board but it has long since seen it's day.

Fry's often has the A64 X2 3800+ with a motherboard (not a great one but it works and is stable) for US$279.

Oh, another gotcha, the motherboard is PCIe so he'd have to get a new graphics card too.