Upgrade suggestions

Hi All,

My computer hasn't been handling the newer games very well, specially BC2. I would like to build a new one but I don't feel like I can drop over 1k on a new machine right now.

I was wondering if it would be worth it to upgrade my CPU and RAM and then upgrade to Windows 7. How long would something like that last for?

Here is my current system:
Windows XP
Nvidia 8800GTS 640mb
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Dual-Core Processor, 1.8 GHz,
2 gigs ram (2x1) OCZ
Asus P5B motherboard
OCZ GameXStream 700W Power Supply

So my thought was to replace the processor with a Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz. This will more then double my current processor speed, it's not an i5 or i7 but at least I wouldn't have to replace my motherboard. Then I would at least increase my RAM to 4gigs with these guys. I figure the 8800 is fine and isn't causing my bottleneck.

Last, I would stick windows 7 0n there so I could then utilize 4 gigs of ram an run 64bit.

So, that's a $445 upgrade, Windows 7 is taking up a large part of that. Is that going to be a decent upgrade that will last me for a while? I know I can get an i5 for around the same price as the Q9400 but I would want to get a new video card and have to get a new motherboard. So that would add in another $250, plus I'm guessing a new case to fit the new board.

Any thoughts?

 

Your thoughts about keeping your MB, and get the 9400 for now is a good one i think.

But the 8800GTS is the bottleneck for gaming, give me an idea of a budget, and i'll try and work my magic .

 

You will need to make sure you have an updated BIOS version for your P5B motherboard. The original BIOS doesn't support the 1333 FSB of a C2Q 9400

 

I think you bottleneck is the CPU and then RAM

Also later on down the road you may want to get a new GPU as it will probably show it's age in new games.

 

Sorry i shoud've crarified that i meant that the GPU would be the bottleneck after the he bought the CPU and RAM.