Current system no longer cutting it. Need advice (Yes a dull upgrade thread)

[Laoch]

Hi,

Been using OC for many years. I occasionally lurk the forums, but haven't for a few years. I've built nearly every computer I own, but with college and work I have no idea what's good standards these days. I'm mainly looking to change because I think my PC is decent but struggling and with BF3 coming out I'm worried I'll finally start to turn the settings to low.. (BF:BC 2 runs well on medium only)

So what I'm basically looking for is advice on upgrading and whether a new card will do the job or I'll need an entirely new system.

Currently my build is the following:

Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103UJ)

Asus P5Q Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail

G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PQ PC2-8000C5 (2x2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ)

Gainward GTX295 - Graphics adapter - 2 GPUs - GF GTX 295 - PCI Express 2.0 x16 - 1.75 GB GDDR3 - DVI, HDMI ( HDCP )


This all runs on a Samsung 27" monitor at 1920x1200. The 295 GTX is is very loud and very hot and does my head in. I was hoping I could get a good card and just replace that component, but fear I'll bottleneck the new one. Would I get away with only a GFX upgrade or do I need an overhaul?

Thanks

EDIT: Forgot to mention I'm running Win7 64-bit

 

[Laoch]

Cheers guys. I actually only have the one 295 GTX which is very noisy and keeps me warm in winter, but sweating buckets in summer.

Great list TheYoungster. Definitely using it as a guide. I actually have some of those products like the Samsung 1TB HD, Windows Vista 64 bit and actually Win 7 64 bit, 750W power supply as well as fairly modern CD Drive and ReWriter etc.

I do have an after market cooler for the CPU and had it overclocked it at 3.0 GHz, but it ran far too hot and even at it's base speed of 2.66GHz it still runs far too hot for my liking. I suspect the cooler is utter crap despite it looking like a fridge (it's massive) and costing me 65 euro.

I'm going to go away and draw up a budget but I'll be using the above list to help me so thanks again for that.

 

[Laoch]

Some crappy case I bout 8 years ago and has served me well. It's big black and ugly but does a job. Would like a new one though

 

[Laoch]

Guys how good is the 295 GTX in today's standard of graphics card. Is it a major bottle neck for my system?