$550 upgrade limit. Advice needed.

[Neonis]

I'm looking into upgrading my CPU (Mobo and RAM along with the swtich) and I've been at the decision game for 4 days already, pretty stuck on what to get.

This is my current decision:
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M2A1333C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130239

Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067


I am using (for reference):
XFX GTS 250 1GB
XFX 750W PSU
Corsair H50 Liquid Cooler/CPU

I do plan on either going SLI/Crossfire (if I switch to ATI) next time I have some extra cash.
I do a lot of gaming and multitasking of different sorts.
In my current system, I have 8G DDR2 and I have nearly maxed it out in usage. (Probably 7.5GB used at once) So, I do want 8GB
I also need a free PCI slot for my X-Fi card, so mobo needs at best, capable of 2x GPU w/ PCI free or I could work with 1xGPU w/ PCI free if I get an PCIe x1 X-Fi card when I go multi-GPU

I really don't know if this is the best I can do for my money or not, I'm really hoping to get something that will do multi-GPU well and where I can upgrade CPU later, if I need to, to something pretty worth it in cost/performace.

 

[Mr Pizza]

looks good man! after that upgrade, get a gtx 460.

 

[Neonis]

So, I did well in my choices? If so, then =D

I was looking at some video cards earlier, just doing some scouting, and I noticed I'm going to have to upgrade to a newer card series if I plan on going SLI since my current card is part of the discontinued line now, so it seems.

Well, around or after Christmas I'll look into getting some new GPUs.

 

[davcon]

NCIX Gaming Bundle Deal Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core & MSI P55A-G55 CrossFire DDR3 USB3 Motherboard -$306.21 USD
http://www.ncixus.com/products/index.php?sku=54941&vpn=i5%20760%20%2B%20MSI%20P55A%2DG55&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1018

 

[batuchka]

I really don't know if this is the best I can do for my money or not, I'm really hoping to get something that will do multi-GPU well and where I can upgrade CPU later, if I need to, to something pretty worth it in cost/performace.

Note that LGA 1156 shall be usurped by LGA 1155 as soon as end of this year/possible Q1 next year if u intending to sink a wee bit on chip + board FYI...
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2010/04/21/intel-sandy-bridge-details-of-the-next-gen/
There is no backwards/forwards compatibility whatsoever

If your current DDR2 platform could house something like a Q9550 or 955BE and u just game then this is also a viable move
Alternatively, if your games aren't very multi cored optimised just the 256 bit 1GB GTX 460 or HD 5850 might just be about the best move for the $$ for ya hehe