Need to upgrade my PC

[LoveMyslf]

I'd like to ask the best way to take advantage of my Gigabyte P35C-DS3R (rev. 2.1). It's for gaming on a 1920x1080 display. My current config is:

CPU: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E8400 (6M Cache, 3.00 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB
RAM: 4GB DDR3 (1333 MHz I think)
PSU: I'm pretty sure it's 500W
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Will my motherboard be able to carry a NVIDIA GTX series card or is there any cheaper or better GFX card? And will it take a quadcore CPU? Doesn't have to be quadcore I'm just curious about my limitations.

 

[LoveMyslf]

wrong category maybe?

 

[Deemo13]

You can do a few things if you want to upgrade your computer. You can change the graphics card, but the 5850 is a good card still, at least by my standards.

You can put a Core2Quad in there, but they cannot be bought new anymore. If you can find one from a reliable source, that would be a good idea.

The E8400 can also be overclocked I am sure.

Are you struggling with certain games?

 

[LoveMyslf]

hitman absolution can only be played on low graphics and crysis 2 on low it can just take medium. but what are the risks of overclocking? and what's the best graphics card and cpu etc i can upgrade to?

 

[LoveMyslf]

but games like assassins creed and mass effect do on highest graphics

 

[Deemo13]

Overclocking can increase the heat of the processor and if not done correctly, it can decrease the life of the processor.

You could in theory upgrade to a GTX690, but that's not really logical. The CPU and GPU upgrade depends on the budget.

 

[LoveMyslf]

Ok so my current motherboard is able to carry GTX690? Because my motherboard only have I think one PCI Express 2.0 slot there's no 3.0. And how much do you think I can overclock my CPU.

 

[Deemo13]

It was an example really, I wouldn't recommend a 690 on that system.

PCI-E 3.0 is not required. PCI-E 2.0 supports 3.0 cards.

I am not sure how much you can overclock that E8400. Do you have an upgrade budget?

 

[LoveMyslf]

Aah ok. But maybe between 200-300 british pounds.

 

[Deemo13]

You could get a new processor and board with that cost with new RAM too.

 

[LoveMyslf]

what would you recommend?