Bottle Necked? No Doubt.

[paris]

Hi everyone I'm a newbie PC builder here and I have a question about this first PC I built (Rookie) :D . Here are the system specs:

Windows XP home SP2

>550W PSU-32A
>Intel Motherboard D945GTP
>Intel 945 Pentium D 3.40 GHz 800 FSB 2MB Cache

Dual Channel Memory

>512 667 MHz DDR2 Corsair
>1024 667 Mhz DDR2 Kingston
>512 667 MHz DDR2 Corsair
>1024 667 Mhz DDR2 Kingston

5-5-5-15 Timing

>Western Digital SATA 80 GB HDD NON-RAID
>Western Digital SATA 40 GB HDD NON-RAID

XFX nVidia Geforce 8800 GTS 320MB XXX 580 MHz Core, 900 MHz Memory bus
> Clocked to 630 MHz Core, and 1030 MHz Memory bus

>ViewSonic "20 Q20wb Native resolution 1680x1050@60.

In what area of this build should I begin to upgrade? Also, I would like to have an XFX nForce board, what is the best I should go with?

Don't laugh at my system I'm a rookie I'll get better :p

[paul_]

Plain and simple. Your CPU and mobo are screwing you. Get an EVGA or XFX 680i SLI (the highest-end you can get) or a P35 mobo for futrureproofing. Get a Core 2 Duo with G0 Revision (an E6x50) an you're set. Use the same ram if you wish, but make sure that if you get a P35 mobo, get one compatible with DDR2, not DDR3! On second thought... get DDR2 800 with 4-4-4-12 timings. Much faster, and available for $80 for a 2GB set ($125 if you want micron D9 chips for OCing).

Hope this helps!

[paris]

Yes thanks Paul, from what you pointed out, the motherboard seems to be the biggest center point. I will begin with an XFX's 680i SLI board, but do you know which version of XFX's 680i SLI boards that will in the meantime be compatible and "deal" with my current memory RAM and Pentium D CPU until I have the cash to swap those? DDR2 800 with 4-4-4-12 timings? What brand and where to purchase from for $80 for 2GB set? If you have a link please post it. I've seen RAM with those specs close to $200+. Also will I need to buy another copy of Windows XP? I've heard M$ will give you fits if you swap motherboards and try a clean install.

Thanks again.

[saphalline]

Well, I'm pretty sure any 680i mobo will support your current hardware. So no worries there. But it's always best to double-check the manufacturer's website, just in case. ;)

DDR2 800 with 4-4-4-12 timings? What brand and where to purchase from for $80 for 2GB set?Eh, just do a search on Newegg. Like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220144). It's only under $80 after rebate, but I just took the first one I saw.