Need help deciding how to upgrade my DIY gaming PC

[aneville]

My Current System:

*650W power (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171052)

*6-core AMD AM3 processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849)

*gigabyte motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435)

*chassis (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196)

*7200 RPM hard drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218)

I would like an SSD and 16GB of RAM, and in order to play games I will need a new graphics processor. I am not sure if I need to upgrade the AMD processor and motherboard. I am worried about compatibility issues since my system is a few years old now. I plan on playing some graphically heavy games and would like to use high settings. So I am willing to pay for a nice graphics card. I would like to salvage what I can from my current build though. Any suggestions on where to start?

 

[terroralpha]

8GB or RAM is plenty. you will never use more than that if you are just gaming.

how much do you plan on spending on a GPU?

if you want to spend $300 on a GPU, i would get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500302&cm_re=gtx_770-_-14-500-302-_-Product

i think it's the best bang for the buck. it has a great cooler, awesome free game, and overclocked by the factory to perform on the same level as the much more expensive GTX 780 and R9 290x.

 

[Vic 40]

Spend some money on a good cooler too so you can overclock that cpu and get the most out of it.