The weakest link? In my pc

[mrapoc]

Having being annoyed by my 450ish fsb wall I'm looking at cutting out the weakest link in my pc. I can't upgrade the gpu yet as the 9800s are out next year and I don't see the point in an 8800gt at this point. I'm looking to carrying me closer to running the newest games as well as possible (*cries for high detail*). I don't have £££s to spend so it will be a christmas gift. I should be buying my own watercooling v. soon - i'm not sure what else is worth upgrading without breaking the bank extremely.

Again I need it to last long enough for me to afford to bring the rest of the spec up to it as I can't afford to break out all in one go (too often lol)

I feel its best waiting for nVidia 9800s, perhaps quad but tbh my ram is my choice

[Rastalovich]

I`m not familiar with u`r mobo (although it`s popular with other members), but is that definately out of the race ?

[FragTek]

My vote is for GPU. Seeing as you have an X1900 and you're looking to have a more next gen game friendly system, this is your best upgrade path. Your other specs aren't bad and certainly shouldn't be holding you back.

Yes your RAM and CPU could be better, but they are more than adequate for running todays newest games as long as they are coupled with a superior video card.

I'd be looking at 8800's or 2900's, get yourself in the DX10 game. You'll notice an instant major improvement over what you're running now. Changing out your other parts are going to show almost insignificant increases in gamability, in fact you would probably only notice the difference in 3dMark.

[mrapoc]

There are these bad boys to consider: http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...83&cat=0&page=

But will a 8800gt carry me far enough? I want to play stuff like crysis, cod4, world in conflict plus others coming out later on full - 1680x1050 (bigger monitor next year maybe? )

[FarFarAway]

OK so firstly overclock it a little more, shouldn't be hard

Then replace the GFX card

[mrapoc]

If 460 FSB is my wall (probably not stable tbh) and thats 3.2ghz maybe 3ghz would be stable? Not sure if I should tighten my ram a bit but 5-5-5-15 seems to be needed to OC at all =/ maybe 5-5-5-12 pushing it. Thats my point the ram seems to be really holding it back

My ram being these

Which only make it to 490fsb anyways but they were free

[mrapoc]

So a 8800gt for christmas would be the thing to go with and not wait for the 9800s?

XFX Alpha dog?

[Rastalovich]

Originally Posted by name='mrapoc'

XFX Alpha dog?

Sweet.

[FarFarAway]

Clickee

[mrapoc]

I cud then step up in january to a 9800 for example? Or is it not worth thinkin about as this 8800gt will rock my world for ages to come