Upgrading from an Athlon 64

[h4x24]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming on one monitor while surfing the internet and playing poker on the other.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1000 without tax + shipping but I'd like to get a PC for around ~$800 if possible

3) Where do you live?
California (Newegg tax ftl)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, Motherboard, Video Card, RAM

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Seasonic S12-600 power supply, 2 monitors, case + fans, DVD reader, hard drive

6) Will you be overclocking?
No but it would be nice if I had the option later when my PC starts to show its age.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
20" 1600x1200 (gaming monitor) and 22" 1650x1050

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next month

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
SLI would be nice for the future perhaps but not necessary

Current computer:
AMD Athlon 64 3700+
EVGA GeForce 7800 GTX
1 GB DDR-400 RAM
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra Motherboard

Thinking about one of these builds, but which one?
1. $1100
Intel Core i7 920
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
G.Skill 6 GB DDR3-1066
EVGA X58 SLI Motherboard

2. $650
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
G.Skill 4GB DDR2-800
ASUS P5Q Pro Motherboard

One question I have is whether my 3 year old Seasonic S12-600 would be enough for either of those computers. What do you guys think?

 

[engiNURD]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming on one monitor while surfing the internet and playing poker on the other.
...
Thinking about one of these builds, but which one?
1. $1100
Intel Core i7 920
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
G.Skill 6 GB DDR3-1066
EVGA X58 SLI Motherboard

2. $650
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
G.Skill 4GB DDR2-800
ASUS P5Q Pro Motherboard

One question I have is whether my 3 year old Seasonic S12-600 would be enough for either of those computers. What do you guys think?

For gaming, you won't see a huge improvement with i7 over a Core2. Therefore, if you'd like to stay near $800, go with Core2.

Yes, that S12-600 should be more than enough for a Core2/i7 build.

 

[InnocentNoobie]

Since you're using this for gaming, I would go with an e8400 for the OC potential (even if you won't OC right away), slightly better ram, and the option to save some cash or go with a GTX 280.

Also, the gtx 260 and 4870 are neck and neck in terms of performance. But the 4870 is definitely cheaper. There are some good deals on Newegg right now:

Gigabyte 4870 512mb is going for $199 after rebate, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125225

cheapest 260 216sp on Newegg is $239 w/ copy of far cry 2,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...44342&Description=gtx 260&bop=And&Order=PRICE