[jasonb]

Hello to everyone...my current system:
Asus P5Q E motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ
Corsair XMS2 DHX TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 Corsair HX620W CMPSU-620HX ATX Triple 12V 50A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply 2X PCI-E
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS (320 MB?)
Antec 1200, Xigmatek cooler
Windows xp pro

I just dropped 1400 bucks cdn on my kids new computer, went with same case, tasty power etc etc and a Phenom II 965 Black edition
and a Radeon hd 5770. Now I am jealous. It kicks my computers virtual [bleep] at the games I like to play such as Cod World at War,
Battlefield 2 and soon Battlefield Bad Company. I would like a new video card (hd 5770 ? ) but the more I look into it, the more
I get confused. Here is a list of stupid questions:

Can I just throw a new video card in it and thats it?....and which one Radeon or Nvidia?
Is my cpu too weak?...should I get a new one or god forbid try to overclock it ?
Is my RAM acceptable or should I upgrade...stay with ddr2 or go to to ddr3? (can I on this board?)
I would really like Windows 7 like my sons new comp has as well, should I get 64 bit?

Its all just too much for my brain...Im old and my brain is tired, any guidance would be hugely appreciated. I dont need an absolutely
killer system but with say 400 to 500 cdn what would be my options for owning poning pwning or whatever when I play other old farts?
Should I go downstairs and pull dirty socks from under his bed, shake my head and say ''Im sorry son but I warned you about this sort
of thing'' and then switch computers?

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Hello

From the looks, the weakest part of your system is the video card.

Can I just throw a new video card in it and thats it?....and which one Radeon or Nvidia?

Yes, you can throw in a new video card from the looks. ATI Radeon seems to beat out Nvidia in many tests. My personal preference is ATI.

Is my RAM acceptable or should I upgrade...stay with ddr2 or go to to ddr3? (can I on this board?)

Your RAM is perfectly acceptable, to upgrade to DDR3 RAM which is faster you would need a new MOBO. That's a no go. So I wouldn't look into upgrading RAM. RAM also isn't the biggest component in gaming.

Is my cpu too weak?...should I get a new one or god forbid try to overclock it ?

Your CPU is great, being a quad. That has plenty of juice in it for what you are doing.

I would really like Windows 7 like my sons new comp has as well, should I get 64 bit?

Yes, because you have 4GB of RAM and your processor supports 64 bit OSs, you should get 64 bit for the maximum power.

The only thing I cannot make out on your system description is how many watts is the power supply. Could you tell me that?

Thanks
-Eclipsed

[Eclipsed]

Hello

From the looks, the weakest part of your system is the video card.

Can I just throw a new video card in it and thats it?....and which one Radeon or Nvidia?

Yes, you can throw in a new video card from the looks. ATI Radeon seems to beat out Nvidia in many tests. My personal preference is ATI.

Is my RAM acceptable or should I upgrade...stay with ddr2 or go to to ddr3? (can I on this board?)

Your RAM is perfectly acceptable, to upgrade to DDR3 RAM which is faster you would need a new MOBO. That's a no go. So I wouldn't look into upgrading RAM. RAM also isn't the biggest component in gaming.

Is my cpu too weak?...should I get a new one or god forbid try to overclock it ?

Your CPU is great, being a quad. That has plenty of juice in it for what you are doing.

I would really like Windows 7 like my sons new comp has as well, should I get 64 bit?

Yes, because you have 4GB of RAM and your processor supports 64 bit OSs, you should get 64 bit for the maximum power.

The only thing I cannot make out on your system description is how many watts is the power supply. Could you tell me that?

Thanks
-Eclipsed

[jasonb]

Hi, thanks for the help....the power supply according to the specs is 620 watt:


Triple 12V Rails provide independent reliable power to the CPU, video card and other components with a combined rating of 50A (40A on 520W) maximum! Advanced circuitry design that automatically enables power sharing between the triple +12V rails in an event of overload on any single +12V rail.


Im assuming it is good?


thx again

[Eclipsed]

Hi

Yes, your power supply can handle everything fine.

[malachi0420]

Hi,

I would say Eclipsed is right on. But I think it's worth mentioning Hard Drives, how many, type (SCSI, IDE, SATA, RPM, SSD), how full are the drive(s). A SSD Drive will make a heck of a difference in how fast your computer is as a whole, but they are pricey! As for the GPU, I think the best advice would be to wait! As next gen video cards are almost here from both nvidia and ATI.

[Eclipsed]

It is true, the second you buy hardware, it is outdated. Wait until the newest stuff if you can.

If you have a standard 7200rpm hard drive, there is really no reason to upgrade unless you want to shell out like 500 bucks on a 256gb SSD.