Upgrading for Latest Games.

[bvar22]

I recently heard that an Add-On for HalfLife2 was out, so I reinstalled the game.
The add-on is available for download from the Steam site. My old Dell doesn't have near the horsepower to run the add on, and I hear that the next generation of games are going to be as power hungry.


Until now, I have been satisfied with the Dell 4300 (plus an ATI card, xtra HD, and added ram). No previous problems with Half-Life2, Doom3, San Andreas, or any other application.
I am undecided as to whether to upgrade, or buy a new box.

This is what I currently have:

Computer: Dell Dimension 4300
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition OS Service Pack 2

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 1500 MHz (15 x 100)

Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 4300
Motherboard Chipset Intel Brookdale i845
System Memory 384 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (05/29/03)


Display:
Video Adapter ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV (64 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 8500 (R200)

I would like to squeeze another year or so out of the old box by:

*upgrading the Graphics card to ATI Radeon X800 XT (not the Platinum Edition)

*installing 1 GIG of RAM

*Upgrading the processor to 3 GHz.

Would these upgrades let me soldier on in the games for a couple of more years?

Would I be asking for heat and compatibility problems?

I have added an additional HD and DVD Drive to the old box. Will I have enough power for the new graphics card,processor, and ram?

Would I be better off just chucking the old box and laying down the bucks for a hot new gamer's box.


I feel a little guilty for askin. I used to keep up with all this, but things change so fast these days and I'm getting old. I don't need the fastest box on the block, just dependable, affordable Hi-Performance.

Thanks.

Bob
St Paul, MN

[democracyindanger]

1. Compare it to these

http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/system-guide-200511.ars

[bvar22]

2. Thanks

Good Link.
The "Hot Rod" looks affordable and easy, and offers the kind of performance I'm looking for.