Bottleneck Options

[Qrbrrbl]

Ok here's the deal. I've had my homemade system for about 3.5 years now, so obviously performance isnt exactly top notch any more (though its still a very capable system). Only problem is, I have no idea what the bottleneck component is. That goes beyond my hardware knowledge. So, heres my question. Based on the specs below, whats my bottleneck (as in, which one will give me the biggest improvement per £).

In no particular order:

CPU: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3072MB RAM (2x GEIL 1GB, 1x generic cheap 1GB, dont know the model or how to find out without taking them out)
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600)
GFX: Sparkle NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB (running at 1440x900)
Mobo: ASUS M2N32-SLI DELUXE
HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM (one 250GB, one 500GB)

Any suggestions?

[K.]

tbh i dont like the idea of non matched pairs in the memory dept.

Memory usually likes to be all running at the same speed, i.e. having 2x1Gb fast mem + 1 gb unmatched slow mem would equal the whole system running at the speed of the slow memory, and actually removing the slower unit and losing out on 1Gb of ram may even speed up the system.


However your board may not be of the spec that requires "matched pairs" and such more memory is better,

Also I assume you would rather try to upgrade one component of your pc, as opposed to ripping out the "heart" cpu/mem/MB

Without looking into your full specs I would say if the cpu is old then see if you can get the fastest CPU which still fits your MB socket, and if poss get 2x2GB matched memory of the fastest speed your MB supports

I'd leave the OS/HDD as getting a SSD HD is overkill in terms of bang for buck and your GPU is prob fine for that res.

addendum

Solutions

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct....amp;subcat=1825

This is realistically the only chip thats faster than yours, as it seems the AM2 socket was discontinued not long after your impressive(for that socket) chip was released, its a pretty cheap price and you may get one cheaper elsewhere (usual channels ebay/oxfam/farmers market)

looking into your memory it supports a max of 8Gb even tho your os only supports 3.5Gb and memory speeds of 533/667/800

Solutions
so i'm not entrely sure if this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct....&subcat=813

is better than 2x of
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct....&subcat=813

as the first link is for 4gb of dual chan memory, but i assume it would run in single channel mode at the same speed as the second link , maybe 5/MF can clarify??