need help upgrading gaming rig

[nikko]

I'm looking to upgrade my computer, which I mostly use for gaming. I'm budgeting about $600 for this, but can be somewhat flexible with that figure depending on how much more of a payoff spending a bit more will get me.

Basically, I think I need to upgrade my cpu, mobo, video card, power supply, and probably my memory too. I realize $600 isn't a lot for all of those components, but I thought maybe it would be enough to make a significant improvement over what I have now. Here's what I'm using now:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2200 MHz)
Asus K8V SE Deluxe mobo
1024 MB of Micron DDR3200
BFG 6800 GT OC video card
400 Watt ATX power supply

Like I said, I'm guessing my budget would be considered pretty modest, but I know I'm not gonna be getting a monster machine. I just want to move into dual core territory and see significant games in how well I can run current generation games.

I'm happy to make the switch to Intel, by the way. I seem to remember reading that they are superior as far as dual cores go, though that was over a year ago, so perhaps that's changed. Finally, I have no interest in overclocking, so that doesn't need to be a consideration.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[MarcVenice]

When on a budget you should overclock A 110$ intel cpu will do 3ghz with ease, which normaly costs 250$ or so. Anyways, a musthave will be the 8800gt for 200-250$. Mobo can be had for 70-100$, like the abit ip35-e: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813127031 add in 2gb of ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144 then a cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115014 and a PSU to power it all: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007

That will cost 500$. Wow, what 500$ can buy you nowadays ... The antec earthwatts is a good, reliable PSU, can be had for even less then 60$ sometimes at other websites. Corsair 450vx is an option too, or the 520hx if you want modular, sleeved cables. Will cost 80$ or so though. You could spend a little more on the CPU, which I do suggest if you're not going to overclock. This one should fit the budget: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115029

Good luck.

 

[DSF]

Did you take into account that if you are replacing so many of your old components you can defray part of the cost by selling what you don't need?

For example, if you're getting an Intel CPU, you'll need a new motherboard. This means you won't be using your old CPU, RAM or mobo, so you could sell them. You'll also be buying a new video card, so you can sell the 6800GT too.

400W might be enough power depending on what you buy, but it would depend on how much current that PSU can deliver on its 12V rails. You're probably right that you'd want a new one, which again means you can sell your old one.

Your upgrade won't pay for itself, but you could probably reduce your cost by $150-200 if you hadn't taken that into account already.