Performance Boost: Processor vs Ram

[Darren]

I'm looking for a performance boost for gaming. I've come to the conclusion that I will have to either increase my ram or processor, which do you guys think would offer me the best value for money and performance, bare in mind that i'm money concious.

I would go the Intel route, however I don't want to splash out on a new motherboard as well, and I'm not planning on upgrading my graphics card until next year when Direct X 10 mainstream cards are fully established. So baring this in mind keep the discussing just centered around ram and cpu.

Option 1: 1x3 GB DDR2 5400 http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/115961/rb/26546138413 (bare in mind I have 1GB DDR 2 already, so there will be 4GB total.
£35.00

Option 2: Athlon X2 4200 http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/118226/rb/26546007651 £58.00


Current spec:
Win XP Pro
AM2 Sempron 2800+ 256k 1.6ghz @ 1.7ghz
1GB DDR 2 633 @ 800mhz
Nforce 3-A
Asus 1600 PRO 512mb DDR
320GB HD WD 7200 RPM

 

[mullered07]

if your tight on £ go for a 3800+ single core 2.4ghz and another gig of ram 2gb is fine for gaming and the 3800+ will oc pretty good and the 1 core is fine for gaming (as opposed to a X2 with a lower clock)

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119273

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119607

total £101 inc free delivery (supersaver)

 

[Darren]

Planning on upgrading to Windows Vista early next year, so dual core is a must. Plus the 3800+ single is the same price as the 4200+ dual!

Crucial ram is a bit too posh, value ram will do me!


Suppose my real question is would 4 GBs of DDR 2 give me more performance than a new processor from the X2 range?

But thanks, I'm heading more towards an extra 1 gb ebuyer ram and a 4200+ X2 @ £98 pounds.

 

[mullered07]

no that sempron will be a big bottleneck especially in vista, so i would reccomend a proccy and 2gb ram as thats fine and you could always upgrade the ram further at some point no? the reason i said the 3800+ is i thought you were upgrading specifically for gaming hence a single core with a higher stock speed would hold you better until your next system?

vista doesnt use that much cpu power anyway and a single core good proccy would be fine but if you must have X2 rather than a good clocked single core id reccomend the 4200+ you mentioned and another gig of ram

edit: where is it the same price as the x2 4200+ thats £58 + VAT and the single is £58 inc VAT? i think not although its not too far off, remember you said you were on a budget so if you dont use 2 cores might aswell get a decent single core.

 

[Darren]

no that sempron will be a big bottleneck especially in vista, so i would reccomend a proccy and 2gb ram as thats fine and you could always upgrade the ram further at some point no? the reason i said the 3800+ is i thought you were upgrading specifically for gaming hence a single core with a higher stock speed would hold you better until your next system?

vista doesnt use that much cpu power anyway and a single core good proccy would be fine but if you must have X2 rather than a good clocked single core id reccomend the 4200+ you mentioned and another gig of ram

edit: where is it the same price as the x2 4200+ thats £58 + VAT and the single is £58 inc VAT? i think not although its not too far off, remember you said you were on a budget so if you dont use 2 cores might aswell get a decent single core.

Thanks for the second reply. I've made my decision, gettng an extra 1GB DDR2 and the 4200+ x2

 

[mullered07]

good choice mate 2gb is plenty even with vista and theres always room for more later on enjoy your X2 aswell thats gonna be a HUGE!!! leap for your sempron mate