Advice on upgrading

[SnackHD]

First off, sorry if this thread is in the wrong place.
Hey guys, I've had my current build for just under 2 years and I'm looking to upgrade certain components for increased performance. It was built by our local computer guy who charged around $600 AUD. My primary function of this PC is gaming, mainly FPS', RPG's and MMO's such as Call of Duty/Battlefield/ArmA 2 (DayZ), Diablo 3 and World of Warcraft. I'm mainly looking at upgrading my single 2GB RAM, to a x2 4GB Dual RAM kit (8GB), but any other recommendations to increase overall performance and have a better gaming experience ingame is greatly appreciated. I am willing to spend I'd say a maximum of $100-200 on upgrading parts if that helps (inc. RAM).

My current specs are as follows;
■Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1
■Motherboard: GA-H55M-S2V http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3601#ov
■Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @ 3.07GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
■RAM: 2048MB RAM (Not sure on specific details)
■Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-430

Below is a more detailed 'dxdiag' report minus information I saw as irrelevant.

Spoiler

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/1/2012, 22:00:51
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: H55M-S2V
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @ 3.07GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 1976MB RAM
Page File: 2885MB used, 1275MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GT 430
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0DE1&SUBSYS_35051458&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1710 MB
Dedicated Memory: 978 MB
Shared Memory: 731 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: 193FW
Monitor Id: AOC1980
Native Mode: 1440 x 900(p) (59.887Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0013.0142 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.13.142
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/15/2012 21:48:00, 18044224 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4EA1-11CF-6677-08151FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0DE1
SubSys ID: 0x35051458
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem23.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section015:8.17.13.142ci\ven_10de&dev_0de1
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled



------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 107.6 GB
Total Space: 227.9 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HDS721025CLA382 ATA Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 198.1 GB
Total Space: 953.9 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST31000528AS ATA Device

Drive: E:
Free Space: 8.4 GB
Total Space: 10.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HDS721025CLA382 ATA Device

Drive: H:
Model: DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/21/2010 14:23:47, 147456 bytes

Drive: F:
Model: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223C ATA Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/21/2010 14:23:47, 147456 bytes


---------------
EVR Power Information
---------------
Current Setting: {5C67A112-A4C9-483F-B4A7-1D473BECAFDC} (Quality)
Quality Flags: 2576
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow half deinterlace
Allow scaling
Decode Power Usage: 100
Balanced Flags: 1424
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow batching
Force half deinterlace
Force scaling
Decode Power Usage: 50
PowerFlags: 1424
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow batching
Force half deinterlace
Force scaling
Decode Power Usage: 0

My mobo only allows the following types of RAM

Each memory slot can hold DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-14900 with a maximum of 8GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
From http://www.crucial.com Crucial System Scanner.

I am currently looking at this RAM:
(main preference)
Mushkin 997005 8GB 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHZ PC3-12800 1.5V
http://www.mushkin.com/Memory/Radioactive/997005.aspx
Purchase link:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mushkin-997005-8GB-2x4GB-DDR3-1600MHZ-PC3-12800-Radioactive-Yellow-1-5V-Memory-/130773041403

Here is a list of sites that I have been browsing for parts:
http://www.megabuy.com.au/
http://pccasegear.com/
http://www.mwave.com.au/
http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/
http://www.pcmarket.com.au/
http://www.ddcomputer.com.au/index.php

Please let me know what you think of my current rig and what upgrades I should consider.

Thanks a lot guys,
Snack.

 

[jackspeed]

What sites are good for you? You also are listing only 2x2GB not 2x4GB ram. If you want 8 GB you should get 2x4. an upgrade in the graphics card would give you the most bang but it would put you at the $200 end of your budget in the US with the ram.

 

[SnackHD]

My mistake, I've done that for you.

 

[fueledguitar]

4GB DDR3 RAM, and a GTX550 Ti should be good. You'll play those games at least low-med settings.

 

[thrasher32]

I'd advise you spring for an SSD and a new graphics card. The SSD will speed up your entire system far more than any other upgrade, but a new GPU is the only fix for gaming.

 

[SnackHD]

I'd advise you spring for an SSD and a new graphics card. The SSD will speed up your entire system far more than any other upgrade, but a new GPU is the only fix for gaming.

I know nothing about SSD's, what kind of SSD would you recommend?

 

[flexxar]

If all you want to do is game on it. I would just add another 2gb stick of ram, not replace it with 2x4gb. You really only need 4gb total. That will be a huge improvement because 2gb is bottlenecking the hell out of your system. If it's not enough of a performance boost, your next best option is to get a better graphics card. An ssd will make your applications load faster and the system will feel snappier, but it will not improve performance once the applications are loaded into ram.

 

[thrasher32]

I know nothing about SSD's, what kind of SSD would you recommend?

I'd recommend SSD's by Intel, Samsung, or OCZ, in that order. Get at least 128Gb, should only cost you about $70-100, Maybe less if you do some shopping around.

Flexxar is correct, the SSD will make your system faster overall but will only give you marginal increases in gaming. Your new GPU should take care of gaming FPS.

 

[jackspeed]

a 7770 $129
http://www.megabuy.com.au/sapphire-hd-7770-ghz-edition-1gb-gddr5-graphics-card-p317699.html

and
8GB of ram 40
http://www.megabuy.com.au/gskill-2x4gb-ddr3-1600mhz-pc12800-dimm-memory-kit-p257705.html

You need more ram. A new GPU would help for gaming and a ssd would be over budget with the other 2.

 

[SnackHD]

I'm considering the SSD and new GPU, but how much RAM should I get? Just a single 2GB, 4GB, or two 4GB's?

 

[thrasher32]

I'm considering the SSD and new GPU, but how much RAM should I get? Just a single 2GB, 4GB, or two 4GB's?

As cheap as RAM is I'd say go for 2 4GB DIMM's. You could also get 16GB super cheap but that's really overkill and a waste of money imho.

 

[SnackHD]

As cheap as RAM is I'd say go for 2 4GB DIMM's. You could also get 16GB super cheap but that's really overkill and a waste of money imho.

Okay thanks.