ram, cpu, graphics... pick two?

[kidicarus74]

So i've got the upgrade itch, but i'm kind of on the fence about what to do. I'm starting to get back heavily into gaming, and i've fired up EQ2 and the FEAR demo on my pc and they're both stuttering at the image quality level I'd like. Here's what i've got:

A64 3500+ Newcastle (stock at 2.2 ghz but i do have the new zalman 7700 copper cooler w/ 120 mm fan, and it still gets pretty hot )
Abit AV8 mobo
eVGA 6800 gt (agp)
1 gig (2x 512) Corsair XMS 3200XL ram

all of which is running a dell 2005fpw monitor at 1680x1050. so what should i do? if i get a new graphics card i'll need a new motherboard, and i'm perfectly okay with that, no real budget constraints but i don't want to spend craploads of cash on something that will only give a marginal increase. here's what i was thinking of choosing between

7800gtx (with a pci-express mobo, prolly the Asus A8N premium)
2gigs of ram (2x1 gig most likely, i know my current mobo would freak out 4 sticks)
A64 4000+ (pretty sure i don't need dual core, since this pc will be almost strictly for gaming since i have others)

no matter what i'm getting a psu, the one i have right now is some awful 400watt genero p.o.s. i need help! what combination of those upgrade paths should i take, or should i just get all to see any sort of benefit for the future.

 

[sc00ter]

I wouldn't upgrade the processor right now. A 3500 is fast enough for all the games out right now, most of which are heavily dependant on the GPU/RAM. As far as your graphics card goes..I think you should be able to play most games fine with it. The reason FEAR is stuttering is because you're running it at such a high resolution. The demo should come with another utility that automatically configures the game for the best performance on your system. But if you want, upgrading certainly isn't going to hurt. 2 gigs of RAM is starting to become the norm now, what with all these new texture hogs cropping up. It'd help to have a more definite outline of your budget though..

 

[kidicarus74]

well... i was thinking in the $1200 range if it were all three (which is probably too low) or maybe in the $800 for two of the three. remember tho, that'll include a $100 power supply (probably the antec truepower 550)

 

[kidicarus74]

The reason FEAR is stuttering is because you're running it at such a high resolution. The demo should come with another utility that automatically configures the game for the best performance on your system.

didn't read this the first time i went through, but that's kinda the point of upgrading. Sure, i could lower the res, but then i'd be off native res for the monitor. Course, i could use the 1-to-1 pixel mapping on my display (which would end up with black bars on either side of the picture) but what would be the point then of having a nice 20" widescreen lcd

 

[sc00ter]

Lol, good point. $800 should be more than enough for new RAM, GPU and PSU (acronyms..ack). Of course, you'd also have to upgrade your mobo..hm. Lets see what I can put together:

PSU: URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817101516]ePower Tagen 480W - $90[/URL] or Thermaltake Purepower 480W - $60 (I have one of these myself, and know several people that own one. None of us has had any problems)

Mobo: DFI Ultra-D - $130 Nice price..

GPU: URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130238]eVGA 7800GT - $360 after MIR[/URL]

RAM: OCZ 1GB x 2 - $208 after MIR

That comes out to $788 with PSU #1. It'd be about $760 with PSU #2