Time to upgrade I think... suggestions?

[gameover]

Hi,

On my desktop pc, windows 7 is getting annoying restarting all the time, so I've decided to upgrade. For some reason I can't install windows (think the mobo is buggy. It shows the "press any key to load from cd" that you get with windows disks, but then just hangs. Same with nix live cds).

At the moment I've got this:

CPU:
Intel core 2 quad, q6600

Mobo:
Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

Ram:
2x Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-5400C4 TwinX (2x1GB) (4gb total, over 4 sticks)

Gfx:
OcUK ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

a few hdds (sata/ide)
dvd, sound card

I don't play games, though I may from time to time get a game. But i don't mind it being on lowish settings.

I was just going to upgrade my motherboard, as that seems to be the thing having problems (usb doesn't work correctly (after a powercut, sure it is mobo related), if i have iphone plugged in via usb it won't turn on, every time it turns on it turns off then back on).

do you think it is worth upgrading gfx/cpu/memory while i'm upgrading mobo?

thanks

 

[stulid]

A new motherboard,

That is what I would do.

But I play games too, so would change to a ATI 5770 too.

Edit. How about a SSD of about 40gb to run windows and your most used programs.

 

[gameover]

I'm probably going to go back to xp pro. Can it handle > 3.something gb of ram?

would i have to go 64bit to take advantage of more ram?

 

[stulid]

For more than 4gb you need a 64bit os, the 32bit actually can only use something like 3.5gb or near that figure.

Edit. What you going back from win7? Its not the problem.

 

[JTrickle]

I would get a 2nd hand p45 mobo and 8800gt gfx card at around £40-45 each.

Edit: Assuming you have already tried an OS reinstall, and know that its the mobo thats faulty.