Need help please, CPU or GPU?

[zil326]

So to start out I currently run an outdated machine but I am on a very limited budget to upgrade. I am currently running:
(Yes I know this is outdated, no laughing! lol)

Q6600 - 2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad
1000.14 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT [Display adapter] PCI E (16)
4GB Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM
350W Power Supply
Windows 7 32 bit
Motherboard - Dell Inc. 0GN723 MicroATX
Bus Clock: 266 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc. 1.0.15 06/23/2008

Now for my questions. I am trying to upgrade with around $300-$350 (Less is obviously better). My first thought was to upgrade video card to a GTX 650 TI. However, I do have to upgrade a power supply in order to upgrade the video card. I was going with a Bronze 80 450W.

1st Option
GTX 650 Ti $150
450W Micro ATX12V 80 PLUS BRONZE $69.99
Total - $219.99

After looking over some things, I am now looking over upgrading processor and motherboard and RAM. But I will have to upgrade to Windows 7 64bit and if I do this I want to upgrade tower to a mid tower for future upgrades. I currently have a DELL Vostro 400 and I would like to get away from that MicroATX tower due to low air flow.

2nd Option http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Cvf1

AMD FX-4100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor $104.99
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler $32.99
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard $49.98
Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory $45.98
Gigabyte GZ-F5HEB ATX Mid Tower Case $28.12
Raidmax 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $42.49

Total - $304.53


Now I will be using the 7200 RPM 500GB x2 SATA Harddrives , the 2 DVD Drives from the Dell and the 8800 GT from the Dell if I choose option 2. Now I would prefer to upgrade the video card to Radeon 7850 but that would up my cost another $170 which I can not afford right now.

So which one would I benefit better gaming from? Would I be ok with the 8800 GT while upgrading to option 2? Or would just upgrading the video card and power supply be more bang for buck in the Dell Vostro 400? Although I am afraid with upgrading the video card in the Vostro 400 I will run into overheating issues as well as the Mobo in the Dell is only PCI.e 1.0 so I would be seeing lower upgrade due to that. The new motherboard would be PCIe 2.0, still not 3.0 which I would prefer but 2.0 would suffice.

So please advise is greatly appreciated. If you see a better combo of builds then please by all means let me know. I am not currently hooked on any type. Just looking for the best bang for my buck on the upgrade. Thanks in advance.

 

[Knufire]

\

$50 in MIRs as well.

 

[TechJunky]

Best upgrade currently will be the video card. Your processor will hold you back, but you will see immediate gains. You could then upgrade your mobo/CPU/ram later when you have more cash.

If you went the other way around you wouldn't notice any significant FPS increase.

 

[zil326]

Ok, Do you think just upgrading the video card will produce results moreso then upgrading motherboard, processor and RAM? Granted the Q6600 isn't a bad chip due to being able to overclock, although I don't have much experience in it. The 7850 was my first choice but I didn't think it would fit in my current MicroATX tower. Also will the MicroATX board fit in the ATX mid tower case or will I have to fabricate mounts to make it fit?

**I posted this before I saw the above post** my apologizes.

 

[zil326]

**I posted this before I saw the above post** my apologizes.

 

[irrykuxeh]

NEVER buy a cheap PSU from an untrustworthy brand. Knufire's suggestion or some variant of it seems like the best option. You'll see much better gains from a GPU upgrade than a CPU upgrade.

 

[ssjwizard]

A micro ATX board will fit into a full ATX case no problems. I ran an MAXT board in my wifes CM 690-II for over a year, and I thought it was really nice. Had lots of extra room for stuff without having to go up to a bigger case.