Next logical upgrade step - possible bottleneck

[Avai]

Hi,

I've recently gotten a hand-me-down computer after neglecting my old rig for a few years, making do with a 9800GT and an early X2. Now i've got this (for me i'll say "beasty") computer, but have been out of the game for some time, and need some advice on current cards/CPUs. Is there a clear bottleneck here, and if so, what're some good options for a frequent gamer with performance in mind?

Current stats:

Asus M4A79T Deluxe
AMD Phenom X4 955 @ 3.21Ghz
nVidia GeForce GTX 275
4GB DDR3 1333

Currently playing Heroes of Newerth, Team Fortress 2, Stalker: Call of Pripyat, and Monday Night Combat - Max details (Includiing AA) with very few issues, if any. Also playing RIFT: Planes of Telara with mostly maxxed details, including AA, but with no supersampling. Rift runs between 25-35 frames depending on zone and activity on these settings.

Any advice on the current standard of this rig and future upgrade advice would be much appreciated. (Yes, I know, i'm a noob, but seeking to be more enlighted )

 

[Ubrales]

Maybe 6 GBs of memory instead of the present 4 GBs?

 

[Avai]

Maybe 6 GBs of memory instead of the present 4 GBs?

Is that really all I could do at this time (Practically)?
That's good news. Only reason I asked is cause my housemate just bought an i5 system with a Radeon 5XXX (Dunno which), but it seems to have a fair bit more grunt than mine. Perhaps it's just Rift is more GPU intensive, and his has the edge. Thanks for the reply though, i'll probably jump to 2000 speed RAM and get 6-8GB.

 

[Ubrales]

If you are considering 2000 RAM, make sure that your present motherboard will support it. And get identical matched RAM. Mixed RAM will sometimes run, sometimes create problems, and will revert to the slowest clock stick in the group (the faster RAM will slow down to match the speed of the slower stick).

Here are the specs for your motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363

According to these specs, the RAM specs are as follows:
Number of Memory Slots - 4×240pin
Memory Standard - DDR3 1600(O.C.)/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported - 16GB

Use this as a guide when you are buying memory. It is also prudent to verify that the RAM supplier is on the motherboard manufacturer's AVL. Some good choices here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050001666&IsNodeId=1&name=Corsair%20(XMS%20Series)

Good luck!

 

[WR2]

Only reason I asked is cause my housemate just bought an i5 system with a Radeon 5XXX (Dunno which),

Find out which one. A fair chance it's the reason for all the extra grunting you hear. What screen resolution is he using?

What screen resolution are you using?
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GTX 560 Ti $250
What do you have for a power supply? Any idea how old it is?

Passmark GPU scores:
GeForce GTX 275 = 1902
GeForce GTS 450 = 1437
GeForce GTX 460= 2342
GeForce GTX 560 Ti = 2899
GeForce GTX 570 = 3460

 

[Avai]

Thanks for the great RAM advice, will definitely check that out and bear it in mind in future RAM buying excursions. His card is a Radeon 6950 Cayman, i'm using a 700W Coolermaster Silent Pro. And fyi, it's not audible grunting, I meant it has more apparent graphical processing power. It's an Australian term I guess, lol. I'm running 1680x1050 (22" wide native) and he's at 1920x1080 (24" wide native). I'm fairly sure his GPU trumps mine by a decent margin, how close am I to correct?

 

[WR2]

We use grunt the same way and I'm sure your friend is too busy drooling to make unusual noises anyway.

A fair bit 'o grunt more than your card. But your lower resolution might help narrow the gap some.

Passmark GPU scores:
GeForce GTX 275 = 1902
Radeon HD 6950 = 3017

 

[WR2]

You probably remember your 9800GT and what it felt like to upgrade to the GTX 275.

Passmark GPU scores:
GeForce 9800 GT = 913
GeForce GTX 275 = 1902
Radeon HD 6950 = 3017

 

[Avai]

So in short, his card is a substantial upgrade to mine. Similar to the upgrade from a 9800GT to a GTX275. That explains it.