PC upgrade/help Thread

[TMAN10112]

Recently I got into pc gaming, and I have slowly been learning about what to get, and how to install it, but recently I've ran into quite a bit of confusion with many different things. So instead of creating multiple threads on all of my questions I decided to create a thread where anyone can go to ask questions about upgrading their computer, and hopefully get answers from some of the more tech savvy members of the escapist. So please post you questions and answers.

My computer:
-3 GB RAM
-Radeon HD 4870 graphics card
-AMD Phenom 9500 Quad core processor
-Asus M2N68-LA motherboard(I copy &pasted that form the support site, so it might not make sense)
-600 Watt power supply
-windows vista
-I don't have any heatsinks or extra fans right now, all I got for cooling are the fans on my graphics card, power supply and a small one on the motherboard.

My main question is What should I upgrade to get better performence, is there anything I forgot to list, and could you recomend an extra fan or heatsink to keep it cool?
I'm aiming for the highest possable performence within a reasonable buget(around $200 per piece is my genaral limet), I just got fallout 3 so I want to get it running near max.

 

[ChocoCake]

Was there meant to be "Thread Thread" at the end of the title? Accident?

Anyway, I suggest you visit Eggo's spreadsheets for this, or just PM him, yourself. I think Eggo or another Escapist might have already created a thread like this as well.

 

[Nimbus]

We're going to need a price range. How much are you willing to spend and how much gain do you expect?

Also, what games do you plan on playing? If all you are going to be doing is playing HL2 and TF2, your system blows them out of the water.

You forgot to say what OS you are running and you need to tell us what fans/heatsinks you have in order for us to tell you what else you need.

EDIT:

Was there meant to be "Thread Thread" at the end of the title? Accident?

Anyway, I suggest you visit Eggo's spreadsheets for this, or just PM him, yourself. I think Eggo or another Escapist might have already created a thread like this as well.

Aren't his spreadsheets more for system building than upgrading?

 

[TMAN10112]

Was there meant to be "Thread Thread" at the end of the title? Accident?

Anyway, I suggest you visit Eggo's spreadsheets for this, or just PM him, yourself. I think Eggo or another Escapist might have already created a thread like this as well.

no, I accidentaly wrote "Thread" twice, I just edited it.

 

[ChocoCake]

no, I accidentaly wrote "Thread" twice, I just edited it.

Thought it was just a slip of the hand.

EDIT: (hehe)

Aren't his spreadsheets more for system building than upgrading?

It pretty much applies to both. If you are upgrading, you are building a new computer, whether you are installing a few new components or the whole system. They are worth a look, either way.

 

[TMAN10112]

Also, can someone explain to me how to tell if a processor works with my motherboard?

 

[Theo Samaritan]

Also, can someone explain to me how to tell if a processor works with my motherboard?

All decent motherboard manufacturers have a compatibility list somewhere on the site. It may even be in the downloadable PDF manual if it is provided for that board.

The only thing I see iffy on that build is the AMD, as Intel still run the performance market when it comes to CPU's. Even if you don't buy into the new i7, the 45nm core 2 quads (Q8*** and Q9***) are still very awesome.

 

[ChocoCake]

Also, can someone explain to me how to tell if a processor works with my motherboard?

All decent motherboard manufacturers have a compatibility list somewhere on the site. It may even be in the downloadable PDF manual if it is provided for that board.

The only thing I see iffy on that build is the AMD, as Intel still run the performance market when it comes to CPU's. Even if you don't buy into the new i7, the 45nm core 2 quads (Q8*** and Q9***) are still very awesome.

Yes, only thing wrong with Intel chips is trying to put the damn things in.