Hardware upgrade - need advice

[Sithicus]

Here are my current specs:

Case: Cooler Master Stacker 830 NVIDIA Edition
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit w/ SP2
MOBO: (EVGA) nForce 680i SLI 775 A1
CPU: Intel X6800 Extreme Core2Duo
Memory: Mushkin HP2-6400 2x2 GB DDR2-800 MHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295
PSU: Coolermaster Real Power 1000w Modular

I'm gonna get MSI Eclipse Plus but need advice on CPU and RAM. While i7-975 is in my price range I think that spending over 700 £ is a bit to much ATM so I'm consider going for some of it less expensive versions. So which one would you recommend 920/940/950?
OC isn't my strongest suite but I'm willing to try I could also use advice on memory - 3x2 G DDR 1600 - Mushkin or Kingston?

 

[angry_ducky]

Go for the i7 920; a small overclock, and you'll have the same performance as the other ones.

 

[gkay09]

The i7 920 is the best option and especially look for the D0 stepping...It will overclock easier and if you are going with i7, then certainly you should overclock...

And as for the mobo, I would anytime choose ASUS/ GIgabyte/ EVGA over MSI...
ASUS Rampage II Extreme
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-Rampage-II-Extreme-Intel-X58-Sok-1366-PCI-E-20-DDR3-1600(OC)-1800(OC)-SATA-I-II-ATX
GA-EX58-EXTREME - Gigabyte GA-EX58-Extreme
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigabyte-GA-X58-Extreme-Intel-X58-Sok-1366-PCI-E-20-DDR3-1066-1600-2000-SATA-II-ATX
Best overclocking board of the lot -
EVGA 141-BL-E760-A1, Intel X58 Classified
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/EVGA-141-BL-E760-A1-Intel-X58-Classified-Tri-Sli-S1366-PCI-E-20x16-DDR3-1600-OC-E-ATX

Memory - Mushkin...Preferrably DDR3 1600MHz with timings (CAS) 7

 

[rockyjohn]

Since no one else has, I will ask the basic questions.

What are your specific uses and applications?

It appears you are in the top budget ranges. How would you characterize your budget objective?
Want a screamer system regardless of price
Want a top end system - will pay an extra 40% to boost performance from 90% of maximym achievable to 95%.
Just want a good near top end system without going overboard on expensive components.

Are you concerned about meeting the above objectives just for the applications you use or are there other applications (or just to be strong all around) you might use that you want to make sure you are covered for?

 

[megamanx00]

I say the i920 and get a good cooler for it. Looking at your current specs I assume you want to use that system for gaming. Even so it would be best to answer rockyjohns questions so we don't have to guess .

 

[Sithicus]

I'm a gamer first and foremost. I want to be able to run all the latest games in max resolution (2500x1600) with all the bells and whistles. I'd say I'd like to have a good near top end system but without things like X-25 SSD or getting my whole rig water-cooled. I bought most of my current hardware in 2007 and replaced the GPU this year.
I want to upgrade so l'll have a peace of mind for the next 1-2 years. I'm thinking about OC the whole thing but haven't tried it myself so far so I'd like to start it on the slow/safe side.