Current Specs:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) times 2.
MoBo: Intel® Desktop Board D975XBX2
GFX: GeForce® 7300 LE 256MB DDR2 Standard
(PV-T72P-WA1Z)

The only things I've noticed while playing CSS or L4D is in CSS on like train and dust I get horrible fps they drop to about 30-40 but on all other maps I get between 50-75. L4D is a whole different story, I have about 20-30.I want to be able to run both games on HIGH detail and have no problems, as well as being able to run CoD4 on HIGH. I dont really play any other intense graphics games.I dont think my motherboard is all that bad and my memory is either. I think its mainly my GFX card. But let me know what you think, what I was thinking of upgrading to was

GFX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130339

Let me know your ideas. Im kinda on a budget

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... rder=PRICE

Check some of them out. The 260 is a better card and is more futrue proof. Plus you can get an evga for under 200.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130470

Saw this one, would it be compatible?

Bump...

No more opinions?

You will see the biggest improvement by upgrading your videocard. I got an 8800GS I paid $65 for like 9 months ago and get 130-160FPS in source. Unless you intend to play games with higher requirements I don't think it worth the money to get the latest and greatest video card.

But the 8800 is outdated. Plus you cant really get them many places. Don'T get me wrong the 9800 is the 8800 with more memory and it runs a hell of a lot cooler. But yea virus the 250 is like the brother that you never hear about. Cause you can get better performance out of the 260 and it doesn't cost to much more. Buy the why how big is your psu you didnt say.

But as Madcoweater said, if he isn't playing anything but source, that extra power is wasted.

There's no point in having the latest and greatest if he's just going to be playing a 4 year old game.

true, but if he gets the 260 and maybe 2 more gig of ram, he should be set for a good 2+ years, the Q6600 is a great cpu and the mobo doesn't look too bad when I took a look at it

it is always good to stick with the same memory to add to the amount, but you could try something like this in your pc
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
gskill has been nothing but great for me, and the price is very nice

As i said and china said the 9800 is a good card its just the 260 is better for 20-40 bucks more. Plus he would be good for the next couple of years. I'm waiting on the core i7 to come down. I really don't want to pay a grand for the best one. Also im waiting on the next step of gpu's to come out that why i can get a good card at a great price. But yes Ozark he probably doesn't need the 260 but to be able to play almost any game that you can buy right now on highest settings is kinda tempting imo. Plus you never know he might want to play some of the newer games.

What im planning on playing is CS:S, CoD4, and L4D. As of right now, and when games come along obiviously if theyre good ill buy and play. So from what Im understaing the 9800 would be good for those games or should I go future proof with 260

Its your call. Also you still havent anwsered me on how big your power supply unit is.

Thats cause Im not sure and Im not really in the mood to have to open my case, unless there another way to find out

Nope sure aint. First off let me tell you that most of the newer cards need more power then what is supplied from the slot. So that means you need some free cords. The card will come with converter to make 2 4 pins into one 6 pin. So it depends on what card your going to get and what size psu you have and if you have.

BUMP:

My PSU is as follows:

Input: 100V-127V/8A 60 Hz
200V-240V/4A 50 Hz

Output: +3.3V +5V +12V -12V -5V +5Vsb
Max(A): 22A 32A 13A 0.8A 0.5A 2A
400W Max

Eather way i think you will need to upgrade your psu cause i know my 9600 takes like 100 watts alone and the cpu is another 100 cause thats what i have. So yeah you might want to wait and save up and get a new psu while your at it.