Advice when to build new computer

[rippir]

Hi,
I'm currently running
e6600 @ 2.4
4850 1gb
2gb ddr2
965P-S3 MB
OCZ 520W PSU
22" monitor
Windows XP

What I want:
24" monitor
Next gen hardware



So my question basically is, how near is the release of the next generation cpu's & graphics cards?
Is it worth holding my breath for one or both?
wait for windows 7 or use vista? (I want DX10)

At the moment I'm finding that my system doesn't play new titles with most of the bells and whistles turned up.
Any suggestions?

cheers

 

[xthekidx]

At the moment I'm finding that my system doesn't play new titles with most of the bells and whistles turned up.
Any suggestions?

cheers

Well seeing as how you only have 2gb of ram, that would be the cheapest and easiest upgrade to do, and it will help. I have no idea what MB that is, if it supports xfire then get another graphics card and run xfire, that will give you the biggest performance boost. That and buying a new GPU.

You can also buy a CPU cooler for your CPU and overclock it to get some extra performance out of it...you could probably get to 3.4 or so safely. Look at this one, make sure it will fit in your case though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
and thermal interface:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

Those are the cheaper upgrades you can do for a little bit of a boost. Otherwise you are looking at a major overhaul.

ATI is supposed to release their next GPU 4890 in late April I believe. By June/July ATI and Nvidia should have their next round of cards out on the market. ATI is currently releasing processors for their new AM3 Platform. The next round of intel processors are supposed to come out Q3/Q4 this year, they will be cheaper models of the i7.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-nehalem-core-i7,7000.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-i7-Clarkdale,6987.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AMD-ATI-Radeon-Phenom,6936.html