Nope. A 3400 does not run at 3.4GHz, and the 64-bit has nothing to do with it. The 3400+ is a performance rating. While yes, it’s marketing, it’s a combative way to go against the incorrect idea that the computer with the fastest CPU automatically means it’s the fastest thing out there. You can slap a 4GHz CPU in and use a GeForce 2 MX and get beat by a 2GHz CPU running a GeForce 6600.
The main performance advatage comes from the memory controller being integrated onto the CPU itself, not the 64-bit capabilities.
To make the upgrade worthwhile, you want to go with a PCIe motherboard.
You will need the following:
1.)Motherboard
2.)CPU
3.)PCIe video card
4.)High-quality power supply ~500W (or something that has about 25A on the 12V rail).
The RAM you can reuse, but even if you go with an AGP-based A64 board, you’d be looking at a new power supply, unless you’ve got a good 450W unit (or better).
As far as that motherboard goes, I’ve never used ASrock before, but I’ve heard generally positive things about them. Your expansion will be limited due to the mATX formfactor of that motherboard vs a full-size ATX one. However, it might be a good starter board. However, this Biostar 6100-M9 is cheaper, as well as this Asus A8N-VM, even with VAT (£47.86).
Athlon64 3000+ £81.43 w VAT
Radeon X700 128MB PCIe £52.20 w VAT
Enermax EG-375AX 370W £37.99 w VAT
£219.48 w VAT
With the motherboard I suggested (among others, but I feel Asus is a good brand for n00bs to start with due to drop-in and go setups), you’ve got integrated graphics. This is not ideal for gaming as all integrated graphic solutions hijack part of your system RAM for it’s own, but it might be your best bet to get going.
Going with the above components, you could drop the video card and order the motherboard, CPU, and power supply for £167.28. I harp on the PSU because of how critical it is to the system’s stability. Gone are the days where a 300W unit is deemed excessive. While the 370W Enenermax I linked may not seem powerful, the specs on it are quite impressive and worth the money spent. You’ll thank me later.
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