[ALL] PC Nerds (or just Leaf) - Want Some Upgrade Feedback

[calgaryballer]

Alrighty. I've got a couple hundred bucks saved up (about $400 give or take), and am looking to do a bit of an upgrade to the ol' PC. Looking through my old PC Gamers, I think I'm still 'mid-range' or above average for a lot of my specs, so I am hoping to get the best bang for my buck. Current system is as follows

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, 2.40 GHZ
Gigabyte 965P-DS3 MoBo, PCI-E, DDR2 support
2 GB Ram, believe it's clocked at 333MHz
nVidia Geforce 8800 GTS 320mb
500GB internal hard drive, 500 gb external HD
Windows XP

Now, the first thing I am going to do is upgrade the OS to Windows 7 Home Premium. It's impressed me enough, and I want my DX11 support. I can get that for $90-100 OEM via Memory Express (they are in Calgary so are ideal, but if better deals can be found, share them)

With that comes more memory support, so I'd like to go to 4 GB. Can find some nicely timed Kingston RAM for about $80-100.

That eats up half my budget. I'm not sure what to do with the second half. The 8800 is still in the middle of the PC Gamer 'hottest hardware' gauge, and a new processor may require me to get a new MoBo and thus put me way over what I can spend right now. I am kind of thinking I might put that money to a fancy new Logitech keyboard (G110 is on sale) and one of the sick Saitech RAT mice.

The other option would be to do a video card upgrade. GeForce 460 1 GB is under $200 and definitely an option. I can also get a 6850 for the same price.

Thoughts?

[Boucher]

Ram or SandyBridge

[calgaryballer]

Ram or SandyBridge

Did you read or just answer? RAM is a fo sho and a new processor would require a new MoBo, thus making it too expensive for me right now

[jms493]

i got a new gigabyte network card for $30 at bestbuy. I am getting speeds of 30 mbps down and 6 up. If you are looking to play online MMOs and such it might not be a bad upgrade. Check your speed at speedtest.net.

I am always for getting a nice monitor. I mean thats essentially what your looking at. You can get decent deals on sites like buy.com Like a samsung 23 inch is sweet.

I am not a real PC geek so dont take what I say to seriously.

[calgaryballer]

i got a new gigabyte network card for $30 at bestbuy. I am getting speeds of 30 mbps down and 6 up. If you are looking to play online MMOs and such it might not be a bad upgrade. Check your speed at speedtest.net.

I am always for getting a nice monitor. I mean thats essentially what your looking at. You can get decent deals on sites like buy.com Like a samsung 23 inch is sweet.

I am not a real PC geek so dont take what I say to seriously.

Monitor isn't a bad idea. I still have a pretty solid 19" LCD though, with no real room to spread out right now.

Also have a 5.1 surround system and a decent headset, so those options are also out

[PP]

Save up for a new mobo/processor if your looking at playing more recent games.

[leaffan]

You have the exact same system setup as me except a different mobo (same chipset though) and I have an extra 2GBs ram.

I'm honestly going the save up route and going sandy when they release the new boards in april.

You can in the mean time go an pick up windows 7 if you want though since my system runs 7 pretty well.

[tigstah]

if you going with more than 3mb ram, spring for the 64bit edition of windows 7. otherwise it will only recognize upto 3mb.

[dave]

I really like Windows 7.
I bought my Dell with 12 gigs of RAM, which is obviously overkill, but it was part of the promotion.
At the time, I bought my PC with an ATI Radeon 5770.
After two catastrophic failures, Dell upgraded it to a 5870, which was a nice upgrade.
Frankly, the only game I play on my PC is Tiger Woods Online (and I am not renewing). I may buy the latest Need For Speed for my PC.

[tigstah]

I really like Windows 7.
I bought my Dell with 12 gigs of RAM, which is obviously overkill, but it was part of the promotion.
At the time, I bought my PC with an ATI Radeon 5770.
After two catastrophic failures, Dell upgraded it to a 5870, which was a nice upgrade.
Frankly, the only game I play on my PC is Tiger Woods Online (and I am not renewing). I may buy the latest Need For Speed for my PC.

that 5870 is a nice card, i wanted one but i need a card that will run maya well. i am still playing t woods as well.

[calgaryballer]

You have the exact same system setup as me except a different mobo (same chipset though) and I have an extra 2GBs ram.

I'm honestly going the save up route and going sandy when they release the new boards in april.

You can in the mean time go an pick up windows 7 if you want though since my system runs 7 pretty well.

if you going with more than 3mb ram, spring for the 64bit edition of windows 7. otherwise it will only recognize upto 3mb.

Save up for a new mobo/processor if your looking at playing more recent games.

I think the new MoBo may come a in the summer. I might just save the extra $200, do a RAM/OS upgrade now and then put in a new Video Card and MoBo/Proc later this year