Upgrading!

Hello!

Currently my system is:

CPU: AMD 64 3700+
Cooler : Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/LGA775)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8NS-939
RAM: 1GB 3200 OCZ
Gfx: Leadtek AGP 7600 GT
Case: ThermalTake Tsunami
PSU: 520W Corsair
HDD: 320gb SATA Maxtor
Monitor: 22" IIyama Vision Master Pro 514

My budget for upgrading is around £1000 but a bit flexible. I will use the system mainly for gaming but also watching downloaded TV/Films, would also be interested in streaming live TV to a PC (don't know how easy this is?) and eventually hooking up a PS3.

My current thoughts are:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 2.40GHz
Cooler: Xigmatek HDT-S1283
Mobo: Asus P5Q-E Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX
Gfx: Leadtek GeForce GTX 260 896MB GDDR3
Case : Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU
PSU: Continue to keep my 520W Corsair
HDD: 2x640GB WesternDigital HDDs (WD6400AAKS)
Monitor: Acer G24 Widescreen Gaming LCD Monitor - Orange/Black

A friend of mine said the 8500 RAM is not necessary and 6400 would do just fine, could anyone explain why? :D. Also unsure about the make of GTX 260 to get, noise being a concern really!

Any input appriciated and if you think its time to upgrade now or hold on a little while :).

i've got that gfx card, and i'm pretty sure it isn't too noisy hehe. it's a good card, someone on here has quite a few ledtek cards

oh, and i would defo get mroe ram, it will help alot.

also, a 22" monitor still isnt bad... o_O

so you might not really have to spend £300 on a monitor, heh.

are u goin' to raid,
if not, a terrabyte may be the way to go

I say go seagate for 5yrs warranty (I can't say it enough)

Go for 2GB sticks,
and ur friend is correct 800MHz clocks to 900 on a good setup, but most 850 (8500) are only good 800's locked to min 850

800MHz DHX 64bit corsair 2GB are good and cheap from scan

maybe £1000 is overkill in money terms, as a gaming etc rig is dooable for £700 easily
you could invest in a NAS for your Modem
and change UR harddrive for a raptor for O/S ans a 500GB for Gamedata and still have change
(don't go solid state please)

you could just blow £125 roughly on GFX
and go SLi or Crossfire
and when needed add the second GFX

have a look for dudes on here who have recently built and message them (or me) we are friendly...

That PSU *might* struggle a bit with that; you might want to go 600W to be on the safe side.

Well the core system will probably be around £700, £300 being for the monitor.

Will go for the 4GB 6400 RAM then :).

As for Hard drives, was considering the possibility of RAIDing them yes, but would a raptor OS drive + 1TB data drive be a better idea?

Graphics card, whats the advantage of buying 2 cheaper cards and SLi/Crossfiring them? I'm a fan of Nvidia as i like the digital vibrance setting!