Need some advice upgrading my current desktop for new games

[CamSpy]

OK, this is my first post here

I want to play some new games like FarCry3, Assassin's Creed 3, Crysis 3 (beta now) on my old desktop PC. I want to upgrade it to have a DirectX 11 GPU and whole system capable of playing games, but I do not want to spend a lot and I do not need to run the games at ultimate graphics quality. Something closer to high quality is enough for me.

So, here's what I have got now:

OS: Windows Vista Business 32 bit
Mobo: Asus 5PE
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, Max CPU Speed 3800MHz
RAM: Corsair DDR2 4Gb 800Mhz Dual Channel (4X1Gb)
GPU: GeForce 8600 GTS Bus Type PCI-X
HD: Samsung SSD 830

What i was thinking of getting rid of GeForce 8600 GTS and upgrading to some Nvidia GTX card like Nvidia GeForce GTX660 (I could use PCIEX16 or PCIEX1 slot for it), then maybe RAM and maybe OS (to WIN8 x64).

Please could you recommend me optimal components that would help me achieve what i need and still wouldn't cost me an arm and leg.

Thanks in advance

P.S. i have a gaming notebook with 2xGTX 680m using SLI for maximum gaming quality needs, i really like Nvidia cards and not going to go the AMD path.

 

[gussrtk]

welll.... basically... your upgrades are going to be minor if anything.... just because it's not worth upgrading old systems
now... I basically just give you a GPU option
the q6600 is... a GREAT cpu... even though it is old. But for today, what you need to do is... squeeze some extra performance out of it, so i put in a good CPU cooler at a good price, with this... you will try to get your system for a comfortable 3.0~3.2Ghz overclock (dont need to push for 3.4Ghz, not sure how far your motherboard will allow it to go while being stable)

this is if you want to go "crazy"

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

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 560 1GB Video Card ($177.99 @ Computer Valley) great video card from a budget brand but a little overkill
Total: $208.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 05:59 EST-0500)



I have a 550Ti and play Tera online comfortably with same setup as you pretty much

q6600 CPU
5gb ram (really not worth buying ddr2 ram......... at these prices)





So here goes my second suggestion CHEAP option which will work good i think ~ i would choose this


PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AOy6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AOy6/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AOy6/benchmarks/

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $143.23
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 06:11 EST-0500)





Final thoughts;

Try reading up on this, maybe itll be worth it?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows7/products/features/readyboost

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I would go with at least a 2gb video card, not that the 560 is bad, but things I've read say that games will probably start using 2gb in the next year or so, and if you rebuild later, you will likely carry the new card over. I ended up going with a 2gb Radeon 7850 which I'm very happy with. Mine cost 180, so if you look, deals are there. Good suggestion on the hyper 212.

Edit, saw you wanted to go nvidia. In that case, I would look for a GTX 660. I used Nvidia for about the last 10 years before my new Radeon, and so far am happy with the Radeon.

 

[CamSpy]

I think i will be going with Gigabyte Nvidia Geforce GTX 660 Ti

 

[tiny voices]

That will be a good GPU. It might be bottlenecked a bit by your other components though. The CPU mostly. I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure it will a little.

What power supply do you have? That might need upgrading as well.

 

[gussrtk]

That will be a good GPU. It might be bottlenecked a bit by your other components though. The CPU mostly. I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure it will a little.

What power supply do you have? That might need upgrading as well.

It won't bottleneck if he overclocks, need to reach at least 3.2Ghz or 3>4ghz then you will make use of that gpu, but stock its kind of a waste I think. No way around it, want to go with a really good gpu then you have to make that cpu work harder to keep up otherwise ..... bottleneck

 

[gussrtk]

I think i will be going with Gigabyte Nvidia Geforce GTX 660 Ti

Well you said you didn't want to play on max graphics, but 660ti will go max, but will get bottlenecked by stock clock q6600

 

[CamSpy]

yes, I got you, thanks