upgrade dilemma

[MuTTy_Hc]

So I got some cash from xmas, and I've been looking about the net for some deals, and I just can't make my mind up on what to do.

My current rig is in sig. (look at second post)

I first thought I should upgrade my graphics card, but then I decided I'd rather wait a little longer because currently I only play CS:S, Cod2 and Age of Empires 3 @ 1280x1024 (my crappy monitors max res).

However just for your benefit the two cards I had lined up to buy were, sapphire x1800xl 256mb @ £222 or oem unbranded 7800gtx 256mb @ £269.

Then I saw there is some gskill 2x1gb G.Skill 2GB DDR ZX PC3200 2-3-2-5 ram 1T for £158 and I thought that could be a good purchase,

but then I thought is my cpu good enough atm? From what I recall my stepping averaged about 2.6ghz overclock on air, but my motherboard is pretty crap and to overclock stable I think I'd need to change it, but then would it be worth picking up a opteron 146 cacje 0546 processor?

Or should I just wait another month or so? I was thinking of simply seeing what my x800xl will clock to using a Zalman VF700 cooler and if it isn't that good selling it and buying a sapphire x800gto2 and seeing if that will reach x850xt speeds to tide me over until r580 comes out and hopefully the x1800's go down in price. (being on a budget is a pain )

Generally I can't pinpoint what would really help me the most out of all those things listed above and what would be the right move as such.

Sorry for rambling, and thanks for reading.

[MuTTy_Hc]

sig update.

[NightshadowUK]

Okay so, you decided against a new graphics card, which is fair enough, so I'll move onto the other stuff:

- The gain you'd get from buying a Opteron 146 would be pretty unnoticable if you're already packing a 3700+ at 2.6GHz. Sure you'd be more likely to hit 2.8GHz, but realistically, that's not huge a gain. 200MHz isn't worth £100+.

- You're motherboard (as BUFF and many others here will confirm) is not crappy.

- I'd say your best bet it definitely RAM, and the G.Skill you mentioned looks like a bargain! I know what I'd go for but at the end of the day it's entirely up to you.

[MuTTy_Hc]

i think i might just wait it out, maybe pickup the ram if ican get a good price for my current stuff, will buy one of those zalman cooler units for my x800 and see what i can clock it too.

[user1453]

you could look at corsair xms ram, lower latencies at 2-2-2-5 and it will reach 500 mhz with slightly reduced timimings

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=118551

I have this ram and it halved my boot time

[Noni]

Go for the 2GB G-skill kit for £158

www.overclockers.co.uk

[PenguinJim]

...currently I only play CS:S, Cod2 and Age of Empires 3 @ 1280x1024 (my crappy monitors max res).

Errr... if you have a crappy monitor, then have you considered buying a decent monitor with the cash?

You could start a thread in Hexus Smartshoppers' Find Me A Bargain, with a price range, or browse for bargains like these (for example).

As you say, the rest of your system doesn't really need upgrading at the moment.

I think my 2005FPW is wonderful, in case you want a specific recommendation from me, too.

[menthel]

But consider the fact that if you buy a new monitor with a higher resolution than your current then you will need to buy a new gfx card. I think you should go for 2gb of memory personally. Will really help with modern games.

[MuTTy_Hc]

Errr... if you have a crappy monitor, then have you considered buying a decent monitor with the cash?

You could start a thread in Hexus Smartshoppers' Find Me A Bargain, with a price range, or browse for bargains like these (for example).

As you say, the rest of your system doesn't really need upgrading at the moment.

I think my 2005FPW is wonderful, in case you want a specific recommendation from me, too.

the monitor I want is £400+ I don't really have that kind of money, if I got a gcard I could sell my current to split the cost somewhat.

[project187]

wat monitor u want?
plus you could get your hands on an x850xt pe
for around 150 atm and that is alot quicker than your card is capable but then again for another bit you could get a 7800 gt i have just ordered one of them 7800 gtxs off of scan which look good as they have the good cooler