Looking to upgrade a few things

[kylendm]

Hey everyone.

I'm looking to upgrade a few things in my computer. Right now I'm using this computer for mainly audio engineering/mixing and all the sorts of that. I also do play games but that's not too important right now.

Here's my current specs:
Windows 7 Professional 64bit
AMD Phenom II X6 1050T
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4N75TD
GeForce GTX 460
2TB harddrive

The main thing I'm looking at is to upgrade my RAM since the applications I use are very memory heavy and since I use 64bit anyway I mind as well get 12gb.

I'll probably upgrade my graphics card to a 7970 down the line but right now I'm not too worried about it.

The next thing I want to upgrade is my motherboard being that the M4N75TD bios isn't very friendly, it's getting a little old and there are some conflicting problems with some of the pci cards I'm using with my graphics card.

The last thing is, if I get a new motherboard and ram should I get the AM3+ boards? I see that the FX AMD processors are out but they have terrible reviews. I like my 1050tt and I never have problems with it but should I make the switch to Intel? I have only ever used AMD processors and I don't really know too much about Intel ones so if there is something better than what I have out there please recommend it!

I have about $400-500 on budget for these upgrades and any help would be appreciated!

 

[ajl2011shooter]

Yes make the switch to intel. A i7 3770k and a decent mobo will fall right in your budget. I had FX 8150 and was really disappointed.

 

[maestro0428]

Get another 8GB of memory, but make sure the specs are exactly the same. Otherwise, ditch what you have and get 2*8 sticks. An SSD would be a great upgrade too. I would go with a 256GB model from Samsung. If you have money left over, then make the switch to intel. I would start with those two things first.

 

[kylendm]

I might hold out on the SSD for a bit but I will be ditching my RAM for either 3*4 sticks or 2*8 sticks. Something like that. Also, I don't see any 3770k + mobo for under $500. I might go with the i5 3570k though, it seems pretty decent but people are saying the hyper-threading from the 3770k help with audio applications.

 

[ajl2011shooter]

Newegg has the 3770k for $330 and there are a crap load of mobo's for under $170.