Upgrading time...

[lt_shiro]

Which to upgrade between the video card or cpu on my rig. I am currently using a 22" and 32" 720p TV as my Displays.

 

[Dangman]

No matter what, upgrade your PSU. Coolmax is well known for making low quality PSUs. I wouldn't even trust your current system on that PSU. I recommend the BFG LS-550 from buy.com for ~$60

Anyway, what are looking for performance increase in? Gaming? Video and photo editing? etc

 

[lt_shiro]

performance increase in gaming...

I have plans to replace this current powersupply with Antec TPQ-850 850 watt in march. (that coolmax has been powering my rig for near 29 months...lolz)

 

[Dangman]

Budget for said upgrade?

Why wait until March to upgrade your PSU? Your system doesn't require anywhere near 850W of power. A quality 550W PSU is more than enough for your system and upgrades.

 

[lt_shiro]

Powersupply is being order with a bulk shipment and I will getting it for $140ish at cost.

 

[hossdaddy]

strap these on,

Open Box: SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB $102.77!!!!!
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W $69.99 - $20 mir + free shipping
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler $49.99

Total: $222.75 + shipping

You should be able to oc that cpu to around 3gig which would help quite a bit.
That gpu will be a solid upgrade from what run now.
One of teh best if not the best psu manufacturers period.

 

[lt_shiro]

The FSB wall on my board is 341... before the systems starts to BSOD loading windows. So its between the CPU or video card, which would you upgrade first?

Its either a

Sapphire 4870 1 Gig Toxic...

or

Biostar 790GX & Phenom 2 920...

I am painting the case with the same racing strip as the antec powersupply.

 

[Rage_3k_Moiz]

Games are very much GPU-dependent, so a GPU upgrade will net you a far greater increase in performance than a CPU upgrade.

 

[BikePilot]

I think it really depends on the games you play. If they are older, more cpu dependent games like FSX have a look at the CPU (and you might consider something like the E5400 as it will allow very high OC's with low FSB due to the huge multiplier). If you play newer games that will fully utilize the gpu then go that route.

I think the three hundred with the stripe will look great!

 

[lt_shiro]

I am ditching Intel this round for Phenom 2. I just saw AM3 X3 720 Black Edition 95watt up for pre-order.

 

[lt_shiro]

I just bought a Coolermaster Hyper 212, now my Temps are 31 degrees idle and 43 degree load with outside temp of 22 degrees. I can't wait to see what the temps will be like in daytime.