What should I upgrade?

[teldara]

My current build:

CPU: AMD Phenom II x3 720 BE @2.8ghz stock (3.6Ghz OC'd)
Mobo: Asus M3A78-CM AM2 (Am3 with bios update)
RAM: 6GB DDR2
GPU: GTX 260 Core 216 (x1)
CPU HSF: Cooler Master TX3
Hard Drives: 2x 750GB HDD - 1x 30GB SSD
Case: NZXT Tempest

peripheral: (Doubt it matters):
Razer Deathadder
Razer Lycosa
Razer Goliathius
Turtle beach HPA2
19'' HDTV
19'' Monitor (used as secondary)

I have a 300$ Limit at the moment, will go up once I get my pay check.

What should I upgrade?

I was thinking mobo and get 4GB DDR3 Ram, seems like its my bottleneck atm.
If so, suggestions? Something both may cost up to roughly 300$ (newegg pref)

Or something else?

 

[rolli59]

I do not see going from 6GB ram to 4GB solving a bottleneck DDR3 is not that much faster. You seem to have a well balanced system but you could always upgrade the GPU.

 

[teldara]

I do not see going from 6GB ram to 4GB solving a bottleneck DDR3 is not that much faster. You seem to have a well balanced system but you could always upgrade the GPU.

Should I get the HD 5850 then? Or get 8570 which is about 100$ more.

 

[iggybeans]

Replace the motherboard with something with a better Southbridge (a 710 or better).
Also, consider a board with Crossfire capability.
Since you're using DDR2 memory, I wouldn't recommend waiting for an 890 board.
But there's a lot of 790 boards available that support DDR2.
That should take a small fraction of your available money.

You can save these rest and upgrade your video card (right now with a 5770 or later with something better).

 

[swifty_morgan]

My recommendation would be a quality 22"-24" 2ms monitor. Nothing beats real estate for gaming. Leaning towards 24".

 

[teldara]

Replace the motherboard with something with a better Southbridge (a 710 or better).
Also, consider a board with Crossfire capability.
Since you're using DDR2 memory, I wouldn't recommend waiting for an 890 board.
But there's a lot of 790 boards available that support DDR2.
That should take a small fraction of your available money.

You can save these rest and upgrade your video card (right now with a 5770 or later with something better).

The 5770 underpreforms the GTX 260 Core 216. I wouldn't jump to the 5770 unless theres tons of games with DX11.

I'm looking for a DDR3 Motherboard, to invest something thats "future" proof since DDR2 is in the past.

 

[swifty_morgan]

DDR2 is in the past ? Not much difference using DDR2 vs DDR3.... almost none at all. And as far as trading "up" to a 5770 from a GTX260..... ARE YOU NUTS ? Useless upgrade there.

 

[teldara]

DDR2 is in the past ? Not much difference using DDR2 vs DDR3.... almost none at all. And as far as trading "up" to a 5770 from a GTX260..... ARE YOU NUTS ? Useless upgrade there.

edited: nvm

The only reason why I would move from DDR2 to DDR3 is because DDR2 is getting more expensive, and my Mobo is in the "low" range.

But since everyones saying dont upgrade to DDR with the AM3 motherboard, I guess I shouldn't.

So either I should save for HD 5850 or buy fun stuff with my money

 

[teldara]

Any other suggestion? Still torn from getting the 5850 or getting new mobo withd ddr3, but ddr3 isnt much of an upgrade.

Or just save.

 

[obsidian86]

keep what you have till end april then consider a new 890 board with ddr3 and ati should have a few revisions out by then

 

[megamanx00]

If your RAM is DDR2 1066 then I wouldn't update the board. If your RAM is ddr2 800, then yeah I would consider moving to DDR3 and an ALI board. Of course, if you want an AM3 SLI board you only have two choices and they both come from MSI.

 

[teldara]

If your RAM is DDR2 1066 then I wouldn't update the board. If your RAM is ddr2 800, then yeah I would consider moving to DDR3 and an ALI board. Of course, if you want an AM3 SLI board you only have two choices and they both come from MSI.

I have DDR2 800 - I did some research and DDR2 800 vs DDR3 1333 isn't much difference, but DDR3 1600 is a little boost.

Is it really worth it right now? Maybe in a few months when its a little cheaper maybe.

I think I will go with the 5850