Upgrading PC - Hardware & Software

I am looking to upgrade my PC, and could use some help. I have no specific budget, and live in the US. [IMG]http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3008/specs.jpg[/IMG] Keep in mind this is my first upgrade, so any tips are appreciated. Also, my graphics card has been running extremely hot lately, any idea why?

[QUOTE=deffas;21006997]Also, my graphics card has been running extremely hot lately, any idea why?[/QUOTE] Probably clogged with dust, use a paintbrush and just lightly remove the dust off the graphics cards heatsink

Well, you may want to invest in a 64-bit OS, in case you upgrade to 4GB of RAM. Most of the other stuff is alright, but the graphics card is on fire, you may want to clean that shit.

Should I wait on buying a new CPU too? I do a quite a bit of gaming, and was thinking a quad core could help.

[QUOTE=deffas;21007330]Should I wait on buying a new CPU too? I do a quite a bit of gaming, and was thinking a quad core could help.[/QUOTE] Your motherboard might inhibit your ability to get a better processor

How about upgrading my motherboard? I'm not exactly sure what parts and compatible with what. I've heard in another thread that changing your motherboard makes you lose everything you currently have, is that true?

[QUOTE=deffas;21007542]How about upgrading my motherboard? I'm not exactly sure what parts and compatible with what. I've heard in another thread that changing your motherboard makes you lose everything you currently have, is that true?[/QUOTE] Sadly, yes. Also, if you get a new mobo, you'll need a new cpu/ram/case as well.

Suppose I should just stick with grabbing W7 and an extra 2gb of ram then? Also, For the ram to work I need a stick that says DDR2 right?

[QUOTE=deffas;21007958]Suppose I should just stick with grabbing W7 and an extra 2gb of ram then? Also, For the ram to work I need a stick that says DDR2 right?[/QUOTE] Has to be DDR2 and should also be at the same frequency as your current memory (preferably, never seen anyone use different numbers).

After dusting out my computer the temperature dropped to an average of 75-80 degrees for my graphics card. Still seems way too high.

[QUOTE=anikilol;21007715]Sadly, yes. Also, if you get a new mobo, you'll need a new cpu/ram/case as well.[/QUOTE] You'd best be trollin' mate.

Is there good air flow?

Yes. It seems to only be my graphics card that is getting hot too.

Hmm, seeing as it's a 8800 which is pretty old, the only thing I can think of is the thermal paste is getting too old (crusting, no more moistness). Means it cant transfer the heat very productively.

[QUOTE=broo20;21008347]You'd best be trollin' mate.[/QUOTE] How so? He's on a dell case with propitiatory connectors, so he won't be able to use the case. If he want's to upgrade his mobo to AM3/LGA 1156/LGA 1366 he'll need a new cpu, *new RAM*. and the mobo for it.

[QUOTE=broo20;21008347]You'd best be trollin' mate.[/QUOTE] Anikilol is correct, dell use a non standard layout for motherboard standoffs and general layout, making the motherboards unusable in other cases and normal motherboards in that case.

its a dell, just start over

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If he has no specific budget then he could get a better CPU

We need an actual budget, deffas.

You have two options. LGA 775 is mostly out the door already, so if you upgrade it, that'll be your last upgrades before building a new rig from scratch. Otherwise you can spend more and start new now, and upgrade in the future. If you upgrade: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 = $60 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231087[/url] Intel Xeon X3360 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor (same as Q9550, except lower voltages and higher possible OCs) = $295 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819117166[/url] SAPPHIRE 100282-3SR Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB = $279 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102884[/url] If you start from scratch: P55 mobo (1156 socket) i5-750 HD 5850 4GB DDR3 1600 (something faster than 9-9-9-24 preferrably) 700W ModXstream And anything else you might need (keyboard, mouse, OS, new case, dvd drive)

Am I just better off saving up and completely starting from scratch then? Any idea what I would exactly need to build it without taking parts from my current computer? I have up to a $1,000 dollar budget if I start from scratch.

Urm 1000$ is a lot and will get you a v nice pc.

Upgrading is going to be cheaper, and if you're willing to overclock that CPU I linked, it's going to offer roughly the same performance. However if you think you'll be upgrading again in the next two to three years, then starting from scratch is probably your best bet. It all depends on how long you plan on keeping this setup. If you plan to wait longer than three years, you might as well just upgrade, because by the time you spend money on a rig again, Intel (and AMD for that matter) will have a new socket out anyways. Plus the speed boost from DDR3 isn't really noticeable outside of benchmarks.