Upgrades or Barbones

[Yossar]

Alright, with the PS2 beta ending, I decided to just buy the Windows version rather than wait until March or whenever for Sony to release the HDD. So it comes down to this, should I upgrade my computer or buy a barebones system, and move my sound card and video card over. The problem is that I'm a poor college student, so I need to keep the price as low as possible.

My Current System
Processor: Intel Pentium III, 590MHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Page file: 191MB used, 427MB available
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
VRAM: 128.0 MB

My main problem is the processor. I'll have to upgrade the motherboard, processor, and buy new memory to work with it all. Which is why I'm just thinking about a barebones system. Also, I know my video card sucks, but it will have to do until I can afford something better. The motherboard, processor, and memory come first.

Also, with regards to barebones systems, I've seen some that use mini-atx motherboards that are in very small cases. This interests me because the only thing I'd use a built computer for would be FFXI. However, I question the performance of such a crampt system, specifically the motherboard.

Any suggestions on when I should buy or which option I should go with would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[InuTrunks]

How much money are you looking to spend. What do you want Intel p4, or amd? Gimme what you're looking for, and how much you have to spend and I'll get back with you.

[Yossar]

I'd like to spend no more than $300 on the motherboard, processor, and ram. I could probably go as high as $400 or $500, but it would take me longer to get that much money.

As for AMD or Intel, I really don't care. Whatever is cheapest, yet can run FFXI at a descent enough speed is fine by me.

Thanks.