Is it worth upgrading?

[yeahman45]

Hi, i am planning for a partial upgrade for my system.. my current specs are:

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
RAM
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 400MHz (6-6-6-18)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5Q DELUXE (LGA 775)
Graphics
VW246 (1920x1080@60Hz)
ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series (ATI AIB)
Hard Drives
466GB Hitachi Hitachi HDP725050GLA360 ATA Device (SATA)
932GB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00E8B0 ATA Device (SATA)
1863GB Western Digital WDC WD20EARX-00PASB0 ATA Device (SATA)
56GB INTEL SSDSC2CT060A3 ATA Device (SSD)
1863GB Western Digital WDC WD20EARX-008FB0 ATA Device (SATA)
PSU
Gigabyte 720W

I am changing only my cpu, ram and mobo and maybe later GPU... these are the hardware i am planning to buy:

Intel i5 3550
2x8GB 1600 Kingston
MSI B75A-G43 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130651)

I was wondering if is it worth upgrading to these new hardware? i mean will the performance difference be great or barely?

These will cost about $415. One more question: will i be able to use my existing casing(gigabyte isolo) and PSU?(i guess that will fit right?)

Mainly using the pc for gaming and programming (eclipse, apache server, mysql, photoshop and some video editing too). Something's not good with my actual specs... getting frequent BSODs on win7 32bit and constant(like each 30-60mins) on win7 64bit

edit: i am not going to overclock

 

[clutchc]

You should see a substantial difference in everyday computing. The biggest improvement in gaming will come with the upgrade to a new graphic card, though. The PSU and case should be fine. You will, of course have to re-install the O/S. Is Win7 OEM or retail?

Here is a comparison between the C2Q 8200 and a i5-3570 (no i5-3550 available in the comparison chart. But difference will be minor)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/701?vs=52

 

[yeahman45]

thx! this is what i was looking for! i am going to buy and install windows 8 on it

 

[mrdowntownkiller]

- the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 is a great cpu , i wouldn't change that i would stay another year gaming with it and then might jump to something like LGA 2011 , but for now upgrading the ram and gpu will be so worthy for gaming and video editing.
( keep your case and psu for now , till you plan to change your whole pc then get a quality case with cable management )

 

[yeahman45]

when is lga 2011 coming out? i have overclocked my q8200 and it seems that i don't get BSOD anymore... lol so i think i will stick with my current specs finally lol thx anyway for your replies... i might upgrade my ddr2 ram from 4gb to 6gb.. you think it's worth upgrading? i can get the extra 2gb for $25... ddr2 is disappearing and expensive these days.. is $25 a good deal?

 

[mrdowntownkiller]

LGA 2011 is already out ,, that 2 gigs of ram wouldn't make a huge difference maybe a couple of fps in gaming. but yeah $25 is not a lot so why not

 

[yeahman45]

Best answer selected by yeahman45.