Recommended CPU upgrade?

[BlackScarlet]

Hey, my processor is old and slow and it's time for an upgrade. I'm looking for something *substantially better* but not extreme high end. I'm looking to spend around... $250.

This is my rig here, could anyone recommend a CPU upgrade you feel would be reliable and fast for midrange price?

Thanks


-
Windows XP SP3

AMD Radeon HD 6850 - 1024MB

MotherBoard:
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5K SE Rev 1.xx
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 0401 07/19/2007
Realtek Onboard Audio

3328 Megabytes DDR2 RAM

Processor:
2.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium Dual
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache

 

[Arris]

Your board will support Core 2 Quad processors which should give a bit of a boost.
All depends what you are using it for. For games, more and more are now utilizing more than 2 cores but not all so I wouldn't expect massive improvements. For video editing, 3d modelling etc. you would see a decent performance increase.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115057 - $181.99

(Your board will support up to Core 2 Quad Q9650(rev.E0,3.00GHz,1333FSB,L2:12MB) but none listed on newegg, since I'm not on your side of the pond I don't know many other sites to search. Pretty sure it would be an expensive part too)


For around your budget you could just get a new system and put your 6850 into it.

Core i3-2100/H61/4GB/1TB SuperCombo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719539 - $297.99

The i3 processors aren't the best performers. I'd try and stretch to an i5 if you decide on this route. The linked combo is just an example of what you can get for your money. If you have a decent power supply unit and case you can cut down on what you need to buy. There are some decent bundles on CPU, motherboard and ram available. Have a look around before you invest in old technology.