Better Motherboard and Memory increase performance?

[halfgod85]

Hello,
I have a Alienware Aurora desktop. Over the last couple months I have been replacing the internal parts to get more performance for my gaming. I have replaced the following
i7-920, with i7-970 (OC to 3.8)
Nvidia 260, with 560ti
1TB HDD, with 160SSD

I want to do more but I am now limited to the alienware 0H869m Motherboard, which I assume isn't that good and the dell value ram that is 1066 memory and BSODs if I overclock the memory any higher. This MOBO and case doesn't look like I can do SLI either.

So question, I was looking into,
ASUS Sabertooth X58
CORSAIR Vengeance 12GB DDR3 1600
and a new case.

Do you think this will help my performance at all? Or just a waste of money and don't bother. I plan on playing most games, including Battlefield 3. So, I want to have a good chance to play it well. Some friends say Ill see a FPS increase, while others say no boost at all.

Thank you for any help. i am sorry if this is the wrong forum. First time posting.

p.s. here are my current specs.

Intel Core i7 970
Windows 7 Ultimate Edition SP1 (Build 7601)
CPU Arch : 1 CPU - 6 Cores - 12 Threads
CPU PSN : Intel Core i7 CPU 970 @ 3.20GHz
CPU EXT : MMX, SSE (1, 2, 3, 3S, 4.1, 4.2), EM64T, VT-x, AES
CPUID : 6.C.2 / Extended : 6.2C
CPU Cache : L1 : 6 x 32 / 6 x 32 KB - L2 : 6 x 256 KB
CPU Cache : L3 : 12288 KB
Core : Gulftown (32 nm) / Stepping : B1
MB Brand : Alienware
MB Model : 0H869M
NB : Intel X58 rev 13
SB : Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) rev 00
GPU Type : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
GPU Clocks : Core 822 MHz / RAM 2004 MHz
DirectX Version : 11.0
RAM : 9216 MB DDR3 Triple Channel
RAM Speed : 499.8 MHz (2:6) @ 7-7-7-20
Slot 1 : 2048MB (8500)
Slot 1 Manufacturer : Samsung
Slot 2 : 1024MB (8500)
Slot 2 Manufacturer : Samsung
Slot 3 : 2048MB (8500)
Slot 3 Manufacturer : Samsung
Slot 4 : 1024MB (8500)
Slot 4 Manufacturer : Samsung
Slot 5 : 2048MB (8500)
Slot 5 Manufacturer : Samsung
Slot 6 : 1024MB (8500)
Slot 6 Manufacturer : Samsung

 

[cbxbiker61]

You've already replaced the two items that would give you the best bang for the buck.

Out of curiosity, what can't you do with your current setup? What do you want to do, eek out a couple more FPS? Gonna be expensive, for the minimal gain.

 

[halfgod85]

I just want to boost as much power as I can within reason. So, with this stock motherboard I can't fit another new graphics cards and even if I did I doubt it will do x16 for both slots. Not to say I'm going to do SLI right away but I would like to have the option. Second the memory is clocked kinda slow and again the motherboard is limiting me by preventing a stable over clock. Also I wonder if the value parts dell uses might hold back ans limit the overall performance of the rest of my rig

 

[jaquith]

You've wasted enough money so far e.g. i7 920-> i7 970. The differences between 9GB 1066 MHz low CAS and 12GB 1600 MHz higher CAS is 1%~3%, and since you have >6GB~8GB at BEST replacing your RAM will result in 1~4FPS even if you can fully set the DRAM Frequency.

The priorities to achieve better Gaming performance are:
1. GPU ; ** GTX 560Ti SLI http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/7
2. SSD
3. CPU

I noted a 160GB SSD, if it's newer and faster than 300 MB/s then Intel SATA2 ports are holing it back, and if faster than 380 MB/s Marvell 912X is holding it back.

SSD < 300 MB/s $260 P6X58-E PRO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131755
SSD > 300 MB/s $220 G1.Guerrilla - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128481

** SLI LGA 1366 MOBO's:
The P6X58-E PRO offers higher phases and is better of OC than the G1.Guerrilla , and both offer 2/3-WAY SLI. Problem GTX 560ti is limited to 2-WAY SLI - period.

---------
IMO - you need to evaluate 'replacement' vs upgrading, here's basic information on the forthcoming X79/LGA 2011. The new i7 9xx replacements are ~45% faster than the current Sandy Bridge.
Link -> http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/item/23517-core-i7-3960x-is-about-47-faster-than-core-i7-990x
Link -> http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2011/06/02/intel-lga2011-motherboard-showcase/1
Link -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_2011
Link -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Bridge#Desktop_processors

Next time, NO OEM Builds - build it yourself.

 

[halfgod85]

Best answer selected by halfgod85.