Hi Toms! I have been upgrading this rig for the passed two years now and I think Im almost to completion although I have a couple of problems holding me back. Im using an older 590 chipset mobo by asus (p5n32 Sli premium) with an E6600 @ 2.7 ghz w/Xigmatech Rifle Cooler, a 9800GX2 @ stock, 4 gb of DDR2 800mhz OCZ SLI Ram, 700 watt thermaltake toughpower psu, and a Cosmos 1000 case. The most annoying part of my problems is that I cannot OC my cpu passed 2.8 without constant lockups. I think this has something to do with the mobo. Also, I am not entirely convinced that the e6600 was the right choice as far as processors go. Anyway, this computer is used mostly for gaming and I seem to get stuttering and slideshow quite frequently in crysis (high settings @ 1600 x 1200) and aoc (high settings but this game is buggy as hell anyway). I guess what it all boils down too is what should I upgrade next? Mobo (because the 590 seems to have problems) CPU (something better than the e6600) or second 9800gx2 or just spend 150 bucks and pick up a new GX280 on BFG's step up program? Any input is greatly appreciated guys!!! Thanks for your time.

e6600 @ 2.7 ghz w/xiggy cooler
2 Raptor 10k RPM HD's Raid 0
ASUS p5n32 Sli premium wifi
BFG 9800gx2
thermaltake toughpower 700 w
4 gb ocz sli ddr2 800 mhz ram
Cosmos 1000 case (silenX fans) Temps atm CPU at 46 c idle 58 c load

You're probably right that the chipset ain't great for overclocking Intel:

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx? [...] 3=337&l4=0

You can swap that out for P35-DS3L or P45-DS3R or P5Q-E. You get some money back when you sell the old mobo. Overclock the cpu to 3-3.6ghz. That's a capable cpu. Even the P965 can do better than nv 590. P965 can be had for $50 on ebay.

No, I don't think 9800GX2 cause stuttering. Prolly your high settings. Try lower them to lowest and see what happens.

The chipset isn't all too great for overclocking but at the same time Crysis can barely be run on even the most high end machines.

Using a 9800GX2 though..... Try using different drivers. Maybe the ones that came with it aren't too good, usually using the NVIDIA ones are better.

Thanks for the input! Yeah, I am kind of fed up with this mobo as it is. I was considering going with the XFX 780i or the asus p5n T motherboard. I hear alot of good reviews on those two. Im thinking 790i probably wouldnt be worth it at this point due to the price and the fact i would have to update my ram to the expensive DDR3.

So I guess my next question would be.....If you could make any changes to my rig...what would they be?

780i isn't a bad one. However, overclocking is easier with Intel chipsets. nvidia chipsets need a bit more tweaking.

If it were me, I'd switch that mobo out for a P45 if budget is tight, or X38/X48 if budget allows. Not the top end ones, but something good for overclocking. i.e. Gigabyte's.