Which upgrade is best for me

[naminaterzzz]

Whats up guys! this is going to be one long ass question so brace yourself. I currently have a computer that contains:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600(stock cooling and stock speed)
Asus IPIBL-LB(Benicia) mobo ( i have no idea whether it can overclock or not)
4.0 gb of ddr2 ram (6400mb speed)
450 watt power supply
MSI GTX 550TI Cyclone 2 graphics card
and a garbage hp pavilion case
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01463061&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3753813#N264

the link above is the original computer i just replaced the gpu and the power supply

Okay here is my question: I am a gamer and I play mainly World of Warcraft which I hear from many trusted sources is a cpu intensive game. The frames I pull on high settings or fine averging from 30-60 fps. My problem is is that when I try to fraps or stream my gameplay on like twitch.tv or own3d.tv, my game gets laggy and when I review the stream it is really choppy. My bandwitdth is fine so the problem is obviously in my computer components. I see that there really is no reason to replace my gpu since the frames I am pulling are fine but I think my cpu and ram are weak because it gets difficult at times to multitask and as i mentioned before, recording and streaming my gameplay. So, I came up with two solutions but I don't know which one is the smarter path.

Option 1: Buy a new mobo that supports supports overclocking and has better RAM slots and get some water cooling for my cpu and OC it with some better RAM which in my estimates will cost around 150$~

Option 2:Wait for Ivy-Bridge and buy the one that is similar to todays i5-2500k get a new mobo(probably z68 or z79 if it comes out) get new ddr3 ram and get a new computer case since my current one is a mini atx and most mobos today are mid. And this estimates to about 450$~ and maybe some liquid cooling which would make it over 500$

Obviously option 1 would be much cheaper and easier to do but is it worth it? I mean the q6600 was a great processor but it is a bit old. If option 1 will let me stream and fraps my gameplay much more smoothly then Ill go for it but if it wont do that then I dont mind paying more for option 2(which will last me a much longer time anyway)
So what do you guys think and if you have another suggestion then please feel free to explain : )

 

[o1die]

For an oem system, your current setup isn't bad. I would place some feeler ads on craigslist and register with anandtech to sell it on one of their forums. You might get $250 for it, or more if you part it out. Then add whatever you get to your budget. Hardrives are very expensive right now, so if 500gb is enough for you, take a look at this newegg shellshocker special: http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-815302-_-01172012_1. You can sell whatever components you don't want to use and keep the rest. For a new build, I'll just recommend the basics and you can figure out the rest:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188081 (this board might fit in your hp case)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074 (recommended only to keep you within your budget- not for overclocking, the 2500k is recommended for overclocking, but costs $40 more)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570 (I use this ram and it works well)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119246 (this is a good basic case, with fans, bottom mounted ps, and side facing drive cage)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017 (this promotion ends today, you get a good modular ps, dvd drive, and $15 gift card for $50 after rebate; I use ocz ps, and their reliable and quiet)

 

[joedastudd]

Have you tried setting the affinity of the streaming/recording apps to core 2 or 3?

 

[o1die]

Also remember you'll need a new windows coa with any non hp motherboard unless you've already changed your operating system.

 

[naminaterzzz]

how do i set the affinity of the streaming app to core 2 or 3

 

[joedastudd]

Open the program then while its running open task manager. Select the process, right click -> Set affinity.
It should try to force the application to only run on the core(s) you select. As most games only really make sure of the first two cores should help.