Need help finding gaming PC upgrades

[Snipes212]

Hi. So first let me start by showing you my setup. It's very old. Just got the GTX 660 recently but it doesn't help as I think it is being bottlenecked because I only have 3.2 GB of usable RAM and a crappy Intel Core 2 Duo with a motherboard that can't take anymore RAM. I also only have Win7 32-bit. I have $410 to spend and I have no idea what motherboards or RAM are the best for the 660 or just good for gaming in general. I have my eyes on a 4670K for a CPU, but I want to get like 8GB of RAM and a good motherboard that can hold up to 16GB of RAM and 2-way SLI possibly for later on but I don't know what brands are good or whatever for the MoBos or RAM. Thanks for reading and replying in advance.

By the way, my case is an XPS 630i, so I don't know if every MoBo will fit in there. Cases are cheap so if this one isn't big enough maybe I could find one that is cheap.

 

[woltej1]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3afwI
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3afwI/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3afwI/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Standard Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.96

 

[dariens007]

to add you will also need windows 7 64 bit, preferably the professional version to enable windows to see more than 3gb of ram

 

[Snipes212]

to add you will also need windows 7 64 bit, preferably the professional version to enable windows to see more than 3gb of ram

Do I need the Pro version to let Win see more than 3gb?

 

[dariens007]

also i've never heard of avexir memory and there are no ratings on it at all, i would get this instead

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-khx1600c9d3b1k28gx

 

[dariens007]

i just looked it up, windows 7 64 bit home premium let's you install up to 16gb of memory, windows 7 64 bit professional version let's you install more than 16gb of memory. i recommend the professional version it's like 140bucks for OEM from places like newegg

 

[woltej1]

If you recommend he spend that much more just for the capability to have more than 16gb then I wouldn't get it. Current gaming rigs only need 8gb. 16gb is very futureproof, to the point that you'll need a whole new rig before 16gb is obsolete. Save the money and get the base win 7 64bit, or just go 8.1 64 bit.

 

[Snipes212]

Anyone else have suggestions/ follow ups?

 

[dariens007]

nay just get the better memory i suggest and probably win7 64 home edition since you wont go over 16gb of memory.