I hardly EVER game, but I often have 20+ browsers tabs open in 5 or 6 different browser windows along with things like photoshop with 10-20 different images loaded into it, Digsby, virus scan, etc, etc.

That should give you an idea of what I do with my PC.

Here is what I used to build my PC several years ago. It's run like a clock since I put it together and I haven't changed a thing. I'm looking to make it run faster/smoother.

The simple answer is to research your motherboard specifications & to max out your memory & processor based upon those results. A quick search on Newegg indicates that you can upgrade to 4GB of DDR 400 memory & that you can use Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 FX & Athlon 64 processors. I recognize the fact that you rarely ever play games but if the games that you do play are relatively new then you should probably replace your video card (128MB just doesn't cut it these days). I don't do much gaming myself so I won't recommend a video card simply because there are other people here that are more qualified to tell you how much power would be overkill based upon your system specifications.

So I grab 4GM of ram, got it.

As far as processor goes, I don't even see any Socket 939 CPUs on Newegg. Is this thing totally obsolete?

I think the 939 is pretty much dead

I believe you could get an x2 up to a 4800+, which would be a significant upgrade.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1447075&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=.7WaaTN6umc-16cOYSvIqkwpy_r4JD3wqw

you'd have to find someone still selling it, but that's what you'd need

Socket 939 appears to be from 2004 so you're going to have to dig a little to find anything. However, a quick Google search reveals that they're out there (this may not be the fastest available processor for your motherboard...I didn't check). There are quite a few refurbished processors out there as well.

Is the upgrade worth the ~$270 these things are going for used on eBay? Or would it be better to stick with my current one, upgrade the ram, and maybe upgrade my mobo down the road?

I think it would be best to endure for now, then purchase a new computer when you can afford to.

DDR and 939 Dual cores are not cheap.

If you can find cheap RAM+CPU (talking about £50/$50 each for the upgrade) go for it, otherwise I'd just stick some money away and keep adding to it for a few months until you can get a new mobo+ram+cpu.

cloak for cloak CPU's are so much better now and you are going to be paying probably the same price for 4+year old DDR than what the most recent DDR3 stuff costs.

Once the motherboard+CPU combo becomes more than about 3-4 years old, upgrading it becomes almost as expensive as replacing the parts entirely.

For $270 you could build or buy a budget pc that is exponentially more powerful than your current computer

For example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138167 Mobo w/ onboard video $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103714& Proc 55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346 Ram 72
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 PSU 50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 Hard drive 55

Re-use your case

Totals to 302

oh wow, that's high. yeah not worth it, as others have said.

build a new computer using Pommy's links. :p

For what it sounds like you do with your computer, a quad core setup is suited best for you, which unfortunately isn't cheap.

Like Sarn said, I'd just use Pommy's links.

People still buy from AMD?

AMD is still the better choice if you have a low budget

e.g. E8400 is $167 at Newegg but PII X3 720 is $120 and is basically comparable + one extra core

I just bought my latest graphics card from AMD

I found that proc I listed for 40

http://www.amazon.com/dp/tech-data/B002IWG20K/?tag=slickdeals

They made Athon 64 X2s untill something like the 6400, Although those are rare, I think 6000s exist too.

Those arent available for the 939 Socket, The fastest 939 X2 was something like X2-4800.

If I change my mobo, will I be able to install my OEM copy of WinXP Pro on it?

Yes. I have my copy of Windows XP Professional installed on all of my computers.

The answer should be yes. It's been my experience that Microsoft wont block an XP key from online activation until after ~3 installs. Even if you find your key is blocked, you should still be able to do a phone activation provided you have the COA.

Thanks.

Why did somebody I know who is supposedly a computer wizard warn me that OEM copies of Windows are designed to be installed on just 1 machine only, and if you change your Mobo it will think you're trying to install on a different machine and will block you out during the "Genuine Authentication whatever blah blah" thing that windows does?

I have already reformatted and re-installed windows at least 3 times on this current PC, without changing the hardware though.

OEM Vista will ***** at you sometimes if your hardware changes too much or if you try to install it on a machine that isn't th emachine it came on but it's okay because as mentioned you can still usually phone activate or whatnot