What should I upgrade? [E6600 --> i7 920]

[savvy]

I haven't built a computer since 2006, but I've been reading the forums for the past couple hours trying to get up to speed.

Here is my current system:
E6600
Scythe Infinity hsf
HD 4850
P5W DH Deluxe
OCZ GameXStream 700W
Windows XP
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB HDD x2
1 TB storage HDD
150 GB Raptor
Thermaltake Armor Series Black Aluminum Tower

I have a keyboard/mouse/monitors/etc.

I am getting an i7 920 D0 from Microcenter today for around 217 or so with tax as well as Windows 7. I also want to get a motherboard and some RAM for it from newegg or from somewhere cheap online. Any recommendations? I think I want 8 GB of RAM and I plan on heavily overclocking the i7 920. So recommend to me a HSF cooler also.

I have around $500 to spend in addition to the 920 D0.

I don't really plan on gaming, but I do plan to heavily use photoshop and other programs. My foremost concern right now is a motherboard and DDR3 RAM. Do you guys think I need to upgrade my video card? If I would notice a drastic increase if I bought a video card, I am willing to expand my budget considerably, OR, if there is something amazing right now at a good price, I'll consider it. (Like SSD and the like... I don't know too much about that...)

Thanks.

 

[MisterDonut]

How heavy are you planning to use 3-D Apps, Editing, etc. ? If you do plan on upgrading, I would consider a Quadro/FireGL if you don't plan on gaming. If you really want to do some HEAVY overclocking, buy a watercooling kit . The Corsair H50 is slightly better than most air cooling at a decent price. If you want just air cooling, best you could go with are TRUE, Megahalems, etc., using push/pull. An SSD would be an extremely nice investment as well , FAST LIKE NASCAR. Go for 6g of RAM (OCZ Gold, Ripjaw, Patriot, etc.), and pair it with an ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 or one of the EVGA ones (seen both, worked with EVGA, buddy still droolin over his ASUS, both do well).

 

[savvy]

I'll check into your suggestions by looking up the stuff on Newegg.

I think for now I'll probably just go with getting a new motherboard/DDR3 RAM; the video card can probably wait. And I don't think I'd want to get into watercooling, but I'll definitely check into it.

 

[MisterDonut]

If you live in California, you can avoid tax by shopping on other competitive sites. Google shop/amazon are both great.

 

[savvy]

I don't live in CA, so I don't have to worry about tax.

 

[savvy]

Should I get the ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 or the EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard or the ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA? I can't decide between these three. I heard the latter has mediocre sound.

They are all around the same price.

 

[savvy]

Hmm... if I don't ever plan on doing SLI/Crossfire should I just get one of those really cheap 150 motherboards? Hmm.... Help?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

The AsRock X58 Extreme is a nice 8 phase board for 160 or 170$ capable of 200+ Bclck

 

[MisterDonut]

+1 on the AsRock. It's a very nice motherboard that's also quite cheap. I wouldn't go with one of the higher end 1366 motherboards unless you have future plans of SLI/CFX.

 

[savvy]

OKay. Thanks guys. I ordered my stuff.