Upgrading old computer...

[tryceo]

I bought this PC in 2006, Kinda old but still usable. I thought with some extra money I saved on my new rig I could maybe improve this old rig's performance. This is a OEM computer from HP.

Specs:
HP Pavilion Media Center a6030n

AMD Athlon 64X2 Dual Core 4800+ 2.5 GHz
MCP61PM-HM (Nettle)
4GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM
320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
Geforce 8600GTS
500W CoolerMaster Extreme Power 500W

If anyone could suggest some part that maybe make this guy play Prototype or Crysis at 1600 x 1080 or something that would be great. This is a usable PC and I hate to just let it set there and gather dust.
Price = Less than $350

 

[skora]

That system definitely has life left in it. While the ram is a little slow, it won't make that big of a difference. The GPU is on the weak side and that's all I'd start with to replace.The PSU has the guts to push a 4850 or GTS 250. Which is a good balance for that size display.

I'd look at these options and pick the best deal w/ free games you may want.
4850 1 gb ~$100
4870 512 ~ $115-120 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
4870 1gb ~ $130 BIGGER WOW!!!!!!!!!!
9800 GTX+ ~ $100
GTS 250 ~ $100

This is what I used for prices:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%204017&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

The 4870 or a GTX 260 (~$145+) is probably way more GPU than you need. Its the CPU that will limit your system. I wouldn't go upgrading that CPU on that mobo, so unless you're jumping for a whole new platform, I'd just do the GPU (4850 or GTS 250/9800GTX+). Especially since this is just a backup/ extra gaming rig. Your guest don't have to have all the eye candy as you slaughter them into nothingness, now do they.

I doubt also that the bios will let you OC, but might be interesting to play with Clockgen (software to oc with in windows) and throw an aftermarket cooler in there too. Just watch the size since its going in a HP case.