Need some upgrading advice

[blouu]

currently using..
-7900 GT
-AMD athlon 64 x2 dual core 3800+ 2GHz
-2g RAM
-win xp

The only thing I plan to keep is the case,gigabyte poseidon. I want it to be a powerful gaming setup, dirX10 is a must. The only problem is I don't know where to start. Can anyone recommend a good build? Keep in mind I'm on a budget of about $1400.

edit- I do need a decent monitor and an os.

 

[Domestic]

Do you need a monitor or OS?

 

[hikaricloud]

I got a build together for you.

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - XFX GX285NZDFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Now, if you need a monitor...

Newegg.com - Acer X243Wbd Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 400 cd/m2 3000:1 ACM with HDCP support - LCD Monitors

If you need an OS, grab Vista Home Premium x64.

The stuff without the monitor costs 970 before shipping and MIRs. Let me know what you think.

 

[blouu]

That seems like a reliable build hikari, but I have a question. Shouldn't I grab DDR3 ram?

 

[Evolv]

The motherboard he listed doesn't support DDR3 ram.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

DDR3 is only worth it if you are getting Core i7.

 

[Pinscher]

DDR3 is only worth it if you are getting Core i7.

Ya there is little to no gain with DDR3 with anything except i7

 

[blouu]

Would a i7 build be better?

 

[Pinscher]

much better but that wont fit in to your budget

 

[blouu]

much better but that wont fit in to your budget

How much better? Will it be a better choice in the long run?