What processor should I get?

[surprised_by_witches]

Pets crashes a lot and runs pretty slow half the time. Here are my specs:

AMD Sempron Processor 2500+
1.41 Ghz
100 GB of RAM
Nvidia Geforce 6000 graphics card
Windows XP Home Edition

I figure the weakest link is my processor. I always meant to upgrade, and now seems like the time.

What would you computer savvy types recommend? I'd like to get as much bang for my buck as possible, but don't want to spend more than $200 or so. Newegg has some good deals, though ... and I'd go as high as $250 for the right processor.

Thanks!

[Flameback777]

We need to know what your mother/mainboards model number and brand is first, because CPUs only fit into certain sockets.

[surprised_by_witches]

Oh. It's an AMD Sempron 2500+ by A-bit. NF8 series.

Is that enough information?

[mushymarlin]

100gb of ram? do you mean 1gb by any chance? your pc will be able to take either socket 939 or 745 i think it is, either way you should be able to get a reasonably fast cpu, if i where you i would also consider getting a new graphics card aswell, maybe something like a 7 series from nvidia something like a 7300 or 7600 would do the job and not cost much, or even an ati x1600 will do.
if your motherboard will suport it i would recommend getting and amd x2 cpu probably something between a 3800 and 4600 provided you can find one at the right price, but remember to look around and get the best deal.

EDIT by Hugzncuddles: mushymarlin, thanks for your advice but please watch the thread dates, we generally prefer to keep old threads in the past. ;)