Should I get more RAM or a better processor?

Question

I have a gaming PC with;

- Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 processor 2.80GHz
( http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=36500 )

- Kingston ValueRAM 2GB
( http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?products_id=13314 )

- ASRock G31M-S motherboard
( http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?model=g31m-s )

- NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT video card
( http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9400gt_us.html )

- WinXP SP3

=================

I just installed and started playing Half-Life 2 and I get past the part where I get to the trains while running away from the CPs and my game started lagging from there! It lagged for like every 1fps or something (lol), I hated those parts so much. Apparently, my video settings on Half-Life 2 are almost all on the high settings. Even when I put the video settings on low it still lags. I have to press the [ESC] button to pause and sort of refresh the game to lessen the lag and help it keep up or whatever. 
From what I've heard I can install Win7 but I'm fine with XP but I think that its the RAM that I need to upgrade (or the processor, I dunno). 

I also have a 157GB internal HDD with 2 partitions and my main partition has all the program files and stuff like: AVs, Tuneup Utilities, Paint.NET, pics, music, vids, etc and has only ~10GB of space left. Where as the other has all of my games which has gone more than half its space. Maybe its all the programs that may be causing the lag.

=================

My budget is around AU$200 - 250+ and I'm thinking of either buying;

a decent Core 2 Quad processor 
or
a good i3 processor ( http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=35428&processor=Q9650&spec-codes=SLB8W )
or 
an i5 processor ( http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=35428&processor=Q9650&spec-codes=SLB8W )

As for the RAM, I'll have to ask my REALLY-computer-literate friends about what they can recommend.

=================

What do you guys think?

? · Accepted Answer

first answerer has no idea what he is talking.Dont let them mislead you.Many people tend to think that adding extra rams would make their pc fast.well thats a wrong thinking.Ram has little to do in increasing performance.half life should run smoothly even with 2gb ram.what you need is better graphics card and if possible a better processor.
since your motherboard is LGA 775 socket based,it cannot run latest 'i' processors.You will have to change your motherboard too.
i dont see any point in wasting money for new motherboard and processor for now..get a decent gpu instead

George H · Answer

At this point you only option is more ram..IF you have a 64bit OS...if its a 32bit OS you can only use up to 3.25GB of ram so you could use another 1GB of ram.  your socket 775 mother board wont handle i3 or i5 CPUs ...you would have to get a new mother board. the 9400 is a bit low end for modern gaming. the HHD is also a bit low for today's programs and 2 partitions reduces the capacity even more (as you can see with only 10GB of space left) In essences you need a new machine!...sorry! 
Putting in a 775 Quad core for your mother board would start at nearly $200 and you would still have older equipment...just more powerful old equipment. and still left with a 3.25GB ram limit (32bit OS)

Anonymous · Answer

Well its not the rams fault. honestly, my friend finished half life with 1 gb ram. the main thing to consider is a good processer. if your motherboard support the core i series then either get a i5 or i3 which ever fits your budget. but the best thing would be get an i3 and a spare 2gb ram.

Anonymous · Answer

your system spec is way over the minimum for this game. the only weak point i can see is the 9440; not really a gaming card. maybe you are expecting too much for high settings. you are going to upgrade sometime, so why not spend the cash on a decent gfx card; you can always migrate it to a new system down the road! don't know what you have to pay in AUS though...:-)

B1t Hunt3r · Answer

As for processor you will need a new motherboard for both i3 and i5. 
My recommendation get RAM and HDD.

Anonymous · Answer

Get an i3 and a spare 2gb ram.

ShadoW · Answer

I think you need more RAM and a better Graphics card.

Anonymous · Answer

Get ram

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Should I get more RAM or a better processor?

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