what should I upgrade

well its that time of the year again. Christmas is around the corner and people are asking me what they should get me and seeing as its been a while since I upgraded my hardware i was thinking its time for something new. But what should I upgrade I have no idea. I'll list my specs and you guys can give my your opinions on what is getting to its life expectancy. I use the computer mostly for surfing the net, some music editing, video editing and play some games but nothing hard core.

my system

Intel E6300 oc to 3.10 GHz

Gigabyte GA-965-DS3

Nvidia 7600GS

SATA Seagate 250GB perpendicular drive

Antec 480W PSU

Sony DVD-RW

G Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ with D9 chips 2GB

System is water cooled

Samsung 17" LCD

logitech z2300 2.1 speakers

logitech track ball mouse

microsoft mouse

vista ultimate

 

since you run vista you ought to get a dx 10 card all else looks fine (maybe a bigger monitor)

 

i was thinking about getting a 20-22" monitor and what do you guys recommend for a video card something under $300, i have always been a fan of nvidia because i like how easily it is to upgrade their drivers,in the past I have had a hard time upgrading ati's drivers so lets aim towards nvidia. I have also been thinking of getting another hard drive to run them in RAID 0 so I can get the best speed. Keep the responses coming guys/girls. one other question if i do go with another hard drive i have a seagate 250GB model ST3250620AS, so i have to find the exact same model number drive or can i get one that is basically the same like the same GB, seek time and all that but a different model number? like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

 

That's quite a Christmas list. Wish I could do that. LOL.

I was wondering, is the water cooling really necessary?

 

thats not my list thats what i already have, i was asking for opinion on what i should upgrade. and yes the water cooling is a good thing to have. Not for extra cooling because the temps are basically the same but for noise. Its much quieter than before, and the temps are more stable because water takes longer to saturate with heat. So the temps stay lower longer than with air.

 

ok so I made my decision I am getting two things. I will get a 22" monitor, I am undecided at this time about what brand but will look soon. I am also getting a PNY 8800GT video card, I will be buying from a local store because they have one coming in on Wednesday and everyone else is sold out right now. I know online you pay about 250 for one and I will be paying 289 but I am guaranteed to get one and I am supporting a local business, that form time to time has been there for me, such as right now.

 

so this is what i ended up getting


monitor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009102


video card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133205