New Spec please

[valve90210]

I'm contemplating an upgrade to my rather aging current system.

My current spec is:
P4 2.8GHz
1GB RAM PC2700 (I think)
BFG 7800GS OC (AGP)


Apart from the graphics card which I upgraded about 2 years ago, I have been using this comp for getting on for 3 or 4 years now, and while it still runs fine and copes with almost everything I throw at it, it is starting to show it's age now and is beginning to not meet the minimum spec for new games etc.

I feel I bought quite well with my existing comp and would like to do so again ie it won't be out of date in a years time.

I'm thinking maybe quad core would be the best way for future proofingness.

Having never done any of that overclocking malarky and it being my first full build, I am most likely to be running things at stock speed. Having said that I have read that the Q6600 are fairly simple to overclock to 3ghz so I might give it a try (though would this affect the liklihood of it lasting me for 3 years or so?


I will need
case
PSU
motherboard
processor
Memory
Graphics Card (Nvidia preferably)
OS (I guess Vista probably)

Already have dual 19"s, a keyboard and mouse that I like and a decent DVD burner.

I will be wanting to game on this comp.

Would probably be looking to spend something like £500 or maybe a tad more if it would make a dramatic difference.

Any help much appreciated.


Valve

 

[Vir]

Q6600 / E2180
Nvidia 8800 GT
Gigabyte P35-DS3R
2GB GeiL uLL PC6400 CAS4

something like that

 

[valve90210]

Thanks for your input. Would it be the wise choice to go Quad core to last me longer etc? I know Intel are continuing work on multicore processors are more software developers beginning to code for multi core and will more in the future?

Valve

 

[valve90210]

Another thing I have just thought of, would the a graphics card like the 8800GT for example be able to be link up to my monitors which only have VGA input???

I think my current card has one DVI output (which I use with a DVI to VGA adaptor) and a VGA output. Would it be ok to use a dual DVI one with two DVI to VGA adaptors??


I konw this might not be the quite such good quality but to be honet I use dual monitors at work one using digital and the other analogue and I really can't see a difference so for me it'll be fine if I can do it.

Valve