Upgrading CPU/GPU/RAM - need suggestions

[freshtodeath]

Hello and thanks in advance for anything helpful that you will post, I appreciate your time.
I have built my own budget gaming rig about a year ago and I feel that it is time to start upgrading, especially with new games like BF3 and SWTOR coming soon. I realize that some might say: if you need advice on the rigs to run those games, go look the other 50000 posts on the forum. Problem is everyone is different with unique needs/budget, hence the early appreciation of your time and opinions 😀

Anyhow, here is what I have:
CPU: Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition 3.2Ghz (stock)
Motherboard: Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H
RAM: Kingston DDR2 4GB (2 sticks)
Video Card: nVidia GTX460 (768mb) - basic one when it hit the shelves last August

As you can see, I really cheaped out on my CPU/Video. I play a lot of WoW/BFBC2 with random games on the side. I plan on playing the *** out of BF3 and maybe SWTOR/Guild Wars 2.

Now here are the questions that I would love to get answers on:

2)Forget OC and upgrade to a:

Phenom II x4 975 3.6Ghz http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7225659&CatId=4431

Phenom II x6 1090T 3.2Ghz http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6052729&CatId=4432

I've read that 6 core is kind of useless for gaming due to core usage - futureproofing?

Any other recomendations for under $170 are welcome - no I'm not buying a new mobo to go Intel 🙁

3) Everyone is recommending this 8GB DDR3 RAM kit from newegg for $50, worth the upgrade for me or stick with what I have?

4) I feel like my Video has to go (or should it with a new CPU?), so if you guys have any suggestions for a $220 (tops) video card (don't really care, but kinda curious to try ATI for the first time) please list it here.

$210 XFX 6950 is my choice http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7203653&csid=ITD&body=WARRANTY#tabs

Again, I appreciate your time and suggestions since I'm on a somewhat tight budget and I need some recommendations.

Thanks

 

[inzone]

What is a GTX 760.

 

[farrengottu]

the ram wont help much unless your using half of your current ram before you even start the game. most games use less than 2GB. but BF3 might use more.
its unlikely that that processor you have is unlockable. less than 10% of the x2s are but upgrading to a quad core will definately help your gaming.
lastly yes you should learn how to overclock your processor. even if you overclock to a meer 3.6GHz you will see a noticeable difference in games. though most phenom IIs get to 4.0GHz with ease.

 

[Cs342]

You could wait for bulldozer...

 

[Cs342]

or just get a 2500K and OC to 5GHz

 

[freshtodeath]

What is a GTX 760.

Sorry, meant 460 - fixt

@Cs342 - "Any other recomendations for under $170 are welcome - no I'm not buying a new mobo to go Intel 🙁 ". However waiting for bulldozer was a thought...I don't think I want to though

 

[inzone]

EVGA 02G-P3-1559-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $169.99 with a $20 rebate to bring it down to $149.99 and a free video game Dungeon Siege 111 a 59.99 value

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130652

This might help.

 

[freshtodeath]

EVGA 02G-P3-1559-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $169.99 with a $20 rebate to bring it down to $149.99 and a free video game Dungeon Siege 111 a 59.99 value

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130652

This might help.

Great suggestion for the value, but it seems I'm losing around 30% performance vs 560Ti...

 

[ms5555]

What resolution do you pay at? Anyone else kinda think his setup is more than adaquate? I think your build should last another year of gaming at least.

Your cpu is definitly more than capable. Just overclock it yourself to 3.6 ~ 3.8 ghz (you probably need to purchase a better cooler to do so but those are like $25).