To upgrade or not?

[asdf]

My MB just crapped out on me ( atleast I think it's the MB) and I was looking at buying a new MB+ possibly a new cpu.

My system:
Duron 850MHZ CPU
Some crappy integrated SIS MB
256 SDRAM
300 Watt Power Supply

I was thinking of an ECS MB for around $70 and a AMD 2200 CPU for about $100. My only concern is if I buy this will I have to shell out for a new Power Supply , DDR Ram etc..? Is it cheap to just buy a new computer?

I am also looking at these options:
Gigabyte GA-7VT600-L and a Barton 2500?
K7S5A +2400

I want something decent that responds to overclocking well. Is this to much to ask for ? Reliable+decent price+ Overclocking capability :eek:

I Only use this computer for the odd program that doesn't run on my mac. So I don't want to spend to much money.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Note: I am located in Ontario. All prices are in CAD

[asdf]

Note: On board LAN would be a plus.

[9mmCensor]

1800+ AMD XP TBRED-B *DLT3C* JIUHB 109.98
ABiT NF7-S v2.0 Nforce2 164.98
Both from www.bigfootcomputers.com

[asdf]

Thanks for the suggestions, I greatly appreciate it. The Abit board sounds pretty good. ( debating if it's worth my $$ or not lol)

Just to clarify would I be able to use my duron 850Mhz with the abit board untill I bought a new cp. Possibly overclock the duron for the time being?

Also this board doesn't take Sdram so I guess i'm going to have to buy some DDR. Any suggestions on DDR ram for this board.

I apoligize for my lack of knowledge, I'm a mac lover and don't really know much about this.

I found that ECS board for $55 @ ncix.com. For $55 and the fact that I can still use my SDram this sounds quite tempting. maybe even add a 2400 xp CPU and "try" overclocking it.

[deadkenny]

Lot's of options. Most m/b's should be 'backwards' compatible and support your 850MHz Duron. If that's a problem, you can pick up a cheap 1GHz Duron (based on the Morgan chip - same architecture as the first gen XP's based on Pallamino).

However, first things first. The cheapest option would be to keep your current system. It sounds like there's a problem, but it seems as though you're not sure that it's the m/b. My suggestion is that you start by nailing down what the current problem is. Could be m/b, RAM, CPU or something else. Knowing that will determine what you can reuse and what needs to be replaced. It would be a waste to get an SDRAM m/b, only to find out that your existing memory is the problem (unlikely but possible).

BTW, since you've got an integrated m/b you'll probably want the same for the replacement (o/w you're looking at a video card, sound card etc.). Something like the ASUS A7N266-VM would fit the bill nicely. If you are willing / able to stretch the budget a bit further, nForce2 would be nice. Maybe the ASUS A7N8X-VM would be a good choice.