Help Me Upgrade My PC - $1000 Budget

[ThelMightylThor]

I will start by listing my current specs.

Case: AZZA Solaris
MOBO: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard
CPU: AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz 8-Core Processor
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB SC Edition
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
PSU: 500 Watt
CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Case Cooling: 1x 120mm Case Fan

What can I upgrade under this budget that will give me the greatest performance boost? BTW I do a lot of video rendering and recording with dxtory and sony vegas. I play a lot of video games including BF3 (Upcoming BF4), Rome II, ARMA 2/3, and pretty much all modern shooters. I want the highest frames possible for games like these.

If you have any questions about anything don't hesitate to ask and thanks for any feedback on this!

Edit:

These are my scores from PerformanceTest 8.0 by PassMark

Computer: 2162
CPU: 6676
2D Graphics: 440.1
3D Graphics: 4087
Memory: 1197
Disk: 917

 

[ThelMightylThor]

anybody? I could really use some help on this...

 

[ssddx]

run your applications as you typically do and open up windows performance meter (ctrl+alt+delete, task manager, performance tab) you could also use resource meter. make sure you are doing tasks you normally would.

what is your usage on ram and cpu?

 

[ThelMightylThor]

run your applications as you typically do and open up windows performance meter (ctrl+alt+delete, task manager, performance tab) you could also use resource meter. make sure you are doing tasks you normally would.

what is your usage on ram and cpu?

My CPU hovers right around 5% and RAM Hovers around 20%.

 

[ssddx]

in that case i would say you're probably best off with a gpu upgrade, stepping up to a better psu to accomodate this as well as throwing in some case fans.

 

[ThelMightylThor]

Alright Thanks, do you recommend any specific PSUs or case fans? I am thinking about getting the gtx 770 or 780. If I get the 770 it will be the ASUS Direct CU II OC. Not sure who I would go with if I got the 780 though.

 

[ssddx]

corsair hx, xfx, seasonic, antec or pcp&c brands. if you plan on a single graphics card i would say a 650w is probably good enough but you may want to go 700/750 for extra headroom. depends on what you plan on doing in the future.

gtx 780 is a good choice. i like evga.

with case fans.. any run of the mill standard fans will work. get standard bladed models not any of the high blade count silent fans. get standard thickness fans as well not any thin style fans. yate loon is one brand i know gets recommended... and if you want maximum possible airflow there is no alternative to deltas. i just buy whatever is on sale or reasonably priced and fits my requirements.