2400 XP worth it?

[3dfx]

Well to be honest I' am generally happy with the performance of windows and apps but I would like to speed up games so do you think I would be better holding off updating my cpu to a later date? and going sound card route instead?

[Tomasz]

Umm...going from a 1600+ to a 2400+, if your mobo supports it, will easily give you more gaming performance than swapping in an Audigy for a Live.
IMHO, there is very little difference, aside from marketing, between a Live and an Audigy. The quality of the sound is roughly identical (I use digital outputs) and the performance difference is negligible (although EAX2 on the Audigy invariably causes stuttering in some games like JKII). They are both good cards, but personally, I would not buy one as an upgrade to the other.

[3dfx]

but do you think I would notice a bigger difference updating to a good cpu as oppose to updating the sound card?

[UtwigMU]

Get Terratec DM6 fire and some kickarse speakers.

I recommend upgrading CPUs either once every 6-12 months and reselling your old CPU or every 3-5 years. Upgrading every 2-3 years is most expensive. So go for it, you won't see the OMG jump, but everything will feel faster and you cen resell 1600+ for more than you'll be able in a year.

[ZokesPro]

You might. But it all depends on how you use your system.

[WyWyWyWy]

Instead of upgrading the speed... what about upgrading features?

Like printer, scanner, speakers, Live Drive, TV card, new case, etc.

[K6-III]

Originally posted by Wombat
No, I don't think you'd notice. Actually, for the money, you'd probably do better by upgrading your Live! to an Audigy. Better sound quality, better built, more features, and should take more load off of the CPU than you'd gain from upgrading the processor.

Actually, just pull the Live and use the onboard audio on the NV7-133R with the latest 2.0 drivers from NVidia....

[Wombat]

I don't think you'll get much for a 1600+, seeing as a new one is $55 shipped, and $65 gets you a retail 1700+

[The PIT]

$10 ????
If you playing chess a faster cpu helps you get crushed a bit quicker.

[3dfx]

With the onboard audio is it likely I will notice a difference that the worthwhile? as I tried it before and it was good but it didn't work with Gamevoice a tool I use

[Greebe]

but do you think I would notice a bigger difference updating to a good cpu as oppose to updating the cpu?

You sure are

[The PIT]

I didn't understand that bit either but I thought it was the strong cider I'm drinking.

[3dfx]

Sorry guys, I'm suffering from what is called lack of sleep syndrome ..lol I meant to say sound card Greebe m8

[The PIT]

m8 is that a new motorway???

[Liquid Snake]

How much of a difference in performance does the sound card make if you don't use 3D audio?