Complete Noob, pls point in the right direction

[beanbomb]

Hi it's been a long time since I felt I had any clue about new computer components or graphics cards etc.

I currently run Windoze 7 (64bit) on an Intel Core i5 2.67GHz, with 4 gb ram, 1 TB Hd, and AT Radeon HD 5700. I run two 28" monitors off it.

Using it for some database work, playing low intensity games and playing some high intensity stuff like BF3.

Recently the secondary monitor has been flickering inconsistently and combine that with slight overall slowdown in performance and BF3 not running amazingly i'm very tempted to get a new rig. Considering what I have currently can people give me some advice as to how to speck up a computer on the assumption I cant be bothered to learn how to build it and am willing to pay for that part.

I ideally want to be able to run 3 monitors off the new machine so i'd need 2 gfx cards right? I have absolutely minimal hard drive requirements and little knowledge of what i'd want past 'upgrading to more expensive parts' on most components under the assumption that that makes things better

Oh I should probably specify how much aswell. Not really sure tbh, anywhere from £500 - <£2k.

Thanks in advance.

 

[beanbomb]

Hi thanks very much for responding.


I am capable enough to open the case and clean and fiddle, but utterly inexperienced in buying and installing new components (literally no idea how to check things will be what I want and will be compatible etc).

I also have no idea if I have space for stuff inside the case.

How would I go about checking these things.

Under the assumption that if possible i'd like to go from 2-3 monitors (I currently run both 28" hannsg widescreens under 1920x1200 I think). I've also got a 27" lcd phillips which runs at 1680x1050 (taking some getting used to).

is there anything I should know about multiple monitors with differing resolutions (also i'm not looking for bf3 over 3 monitors or anything I just want mass amounts of desktop workspace).


Im embarrassed to say I have no idea what psu I have.... do I have to open the box to find that out?

 

[beanbomb]

Right so.

I don't want to break forum TandC ....


the psu is 'switching power supply iso400p' (that's all I can really make out). When I search that info it comes up with a whole load of similar psus which are all 300 whatever the measure is I'm pretty sure this was the utter base option when I got this computer.


So is the consensus, I want 2x good gfx cards, potentially a new psu and some more RAM and I should be all set?!

If so top bombing


what gfx cards should I be looking at? ATI infinity page suggests 6870/6970 for 'extreme gaming', for 'extreme productivity' 6850/5770.

How much RAM is 'my max' with this rig and what would people recommend?

If I require a PSU what one do I need?



Pics of box so you don't have to go on my awful descriptions...

Inside.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/photofjz.jpg/

Back
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/photo1vq.jpg/




Thanks so much for just reading this, even more thanks if you help



Also I'm deffo worried about finding it easy and suddenly building my own monster!! I got V carried away upgrading base models for new comps and then saw each of the prices and just shut the tab

 

[beanbomb]

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bump