What should I upgrade?

[RossNews]

Ok, BF3 is around the corner... and I need to spend some $$$ to keep up.

Current build (ALREADY OWN)

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-990XA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.ca - GIGABYTE GA-990XA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Newegg.ca - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

PSU:
Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W ATX12V SLI Ready Modular Power Supply
Newegg.com - Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W ATX12V SLI Ready Modular Power Supply

GPU:
BFG Tech BFGE98512GTOCE GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

HDD:
No idea, 7200RPM, 300Gig - ish.

I don't think my monitors, mouse, keyboard matter; also got a tv tuner and a x-fi sound card.
What else is there?

I'm quite sure I need a new GPU, will I need anything else?
Basically willing to spend 250$-$300.

Suggestions?

 

[patonb]

Yha, just your gpu could use an upgrade.. A 560/70 or 6950/70 would rock. Depending on a sale all 4 cards are in that price.

Also maybe a cpu cooler to start overclocking

 

[zantiszar54]

Yeah that CPU rocks overclocked I got mine up to 3.9 ghz and have been using it like that like about 8 months ago and I use a corsair h50

 

[Roark]

With the current set-up I wouldn't go higher than a GTX 560 Ti or HD 6950.
A GTX 570 or HD 6970 might put a little too much strain on your PSU.

 

[RossNews]

I will not be overclocking; ever i think.
I honestly see no problem with my cpu right now, and I will be getting a bulldozer as soon as they come out, since my mobo supports AM3+.

As for the PSU problem, I agree that i will need to get something new soon, any suggestions?

Also I'm stuck between 560, 570 and 6950. The jump to 580/590 is too much for a slight increase in performance. I can always sli the 560-570 right...

Sway me ATI or NVidia?
What model?

 

[Roark]

$270 XFX HD 6950.
Thats probably your best bet with your current budget and build.
If you want a second card later get a Corsair TX750 V2, when you can.

Personally prefer Nvidia, but at <$300 you're choices are 6950 or 560Ti, and the 6950 has a slight edge.

 

[patonb]

I wouldnt say either has an edge generally. Theses 2 cards are very simular, and each have games that they excel in.

I'd read the reviews on them both And chose based off the games you play.