Overclock current system, or go i7 route

[carpmaster]

Afternoon chaps. I'm currently debating whether to upgrade my system completely (to i7) or just upgrade the graphics I currently have and overclock the system some more. Need your advice as to whether it will be worthwhile.

Here's what I'm running now

Intel C2D 6300
Asus P5B (P965 chipset)
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB
Corsair XMS2 CM2X1024-5400C4 x 3 sticks (3 GB total)
Overclock - Currently running the system at 1.86ghz (7 x 267)

Try as I might, I cannot get any more overclocking out of this system, and I'm sure it's down to the PSU. I've got one of the explosive Hiper 580w modular power supplies! The system just blue screens and becomes a nightmare if I take things higher.

However, the ram will run memtest 4 all day long at way overclocked speeds, and I think my CPU should be able to do better than 1.86ghz so I'm sure its the PSU somehow holding the system back!

So do I get a new PSU and GFX card - something like a HD4850, or do I just sell the whole system on the members market and start from scratch?

I could get the PSU and 4850HD (2nd hand) for less than £100, whereas going down the i7 route is going to cost me about £1000. I'd obviously have to indulge in a ATI 5850 and other bits to go with the new i7 build!

Any advice would be most welcome!

 

[carpmaster]

Forgot to add, I really only use the system for general office stuff, but struggling to play things like Arma 2, and there's some good games I want to get playing such as Dragon Rising, Left 4 Dead 2. Also play a bit of Eve Online but my 19" widescreen is just way too small to play the game properly!

 

[Phage]

Hmmm the C2D is EOL, but you should have no probs playing L4D with your current setup.
My recommendation would be a an i5 if it's just for office work and gaming, but if you have the budget then the i7 920 still offers great value. At that budget only the 58xx make sense.