Trendy whats best thing in my computer to upgrade question?

[oroblram]

I have a Dell Inc. Dimension XPSGEN5 with:

3.20 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Bus Clock: 800 megahertz

I have 4 sticks of 1gig ram, not really sure what it is came with machine.

NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX

WDC WD2500JS-75NCB2 [Hard drive] (250.00 GB) -- drive 0
WDC WD2500JS-75NCB2 [Hard drive] (250.00 GB) -- drive 1

Atm using Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)

Im using one copy of eq, loading 4 toons using wineq. They run pretty good but after playing awhile i have trouble reloading them if camp one out or heaven forbid he crashes. My question is, are there upgrades i can do that will make a big difference in eq performance. Someday id like to get up to six
toons on this machine, or its replacement (really not looking forward to explaining to my wife why i need a new computer so hoping for upgrade advice)

Im pretty noobish when it comes to these things and it seems like quite a few folks have gotten help with similar issues. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this gibberish, as well as any advice.

 

[JimJohnson]

Upgrade to 64bit OS and then upgrade to 8 gigs ram. Or go 64bit OS then upgrade video card then Ram

 

[boostit]

What JJ said.

(1) OS will cost you around $130 or so (Vista Home Edition 64 -- the drivers for XP 64 are notoriously bad, even compared to Vista).

(2) If you upgrade RAM, 4 sticks of 2GB may run you $140 (see newegg.com).

(3) A new video card can run you from $100 to $500 depending on what you get (can get deals on NVidia 8800GT for $100 after rebate when on sale).

If you want to box more, then get the RAM first. If you will stay with 3-4, then go with the video card I would say.

 

[JimJohnson]

I personally think its silly to upgrade to vista and not go Ultimate. its 170 on newegg. Just do a search for vista ultimate 64 and you can find it fast and easy.

 

[oroblram]

Thanks for the replies guys, feel silly asking but my processer is ok to run the 64 bit os right? Was about to put a order in when i rembered someone saying something about 32 bit processers and 64 bit ones.

 

[JimJohnson]

You need to check what processor you have but I am pretty sure 90% of processors now adays are 64 bit

 

[boostit]

You should be okay with a 64 bit OS. While it is not clear which P4 you have, the ones with 2048 L2 cache should all support a 64 bit OS.

You may be able to figure out which processor you have and then can check it out here -- [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_4_microprocessors"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_4_microprocessors[/ame]

Oh, and to JJ's post re Vista Ultimate, if you can afford it, then go for it. Retail packages of Vista do not contain 64-bit installation disks. You have to contact MS and request it (using the activation key and they charge you $9 or so ship/hand) EXCEPT for Ultimate. Or at least it was that way 6 months or so ago.

So factor in another $9 if you go Home Edition plus the wait time for receiving the disk, or pay a little more for Ultimate and get the 64-bit installation disk with the box.

 

[Frequency]

What JJ said.

(1) OS will cost you around $130 or so (Vista Home Edition 64 -- the drivers for XP 64 are notoriously bad, even compared to Vista).

(2) If you upgrade RAM, 4 sticks of 2GB may run you $140 (see newegg.com).

(3) A new video card can run you from $100 to $500 depending on what you get (can get deals on NVidia 8800GT for $100 after rebate when on sale).

If you want to box more, then get the RAM first. If you will stay with 3-4, then go with the video card I would say.

You lost all credibility with that line right there, Vista is a fine OS and I have been suign it since RC 2

 

[JimJohnson]

I think you missed the point he was saying XP 64 Driver support sucks. More so then Vista Driver support. he never said vista sucked.

 

[boostit]

Yep, I was talking drivers not the OS.