How to improve my desktop hardware?

[Armenum]

Ever since I fixed my desktop, I've been in the mood to possibly upgrade a part or 2. I recently changed my motherboard and cpu (which fixed my problem). Here are my specs:

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (32 Bit)
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 3070MB RAM (however in computer my properties it says I have 4gb of Ram, and I have 2 sticks of Ram)
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
Motherboard: M4A785-M AMD 785G motherboard

By budget would allow for one, maybe 2 items to upgrade. I was thinking about possibly buying better audio (speakers) as I play NTW without headphones or better RAM. I wouldn't want to upgrade something that consists of too much rewiring of the motherboard since I just fixed it...

any advice would be great.

[Bartzy]

Yeah Speakers are good, but inexpensive. Well I spent $50 on a pair of Logitech, goes well.

What else do you do with computers?

[mrcrusty]

Your RAM is fine.

Speakers sound good since it's something you want.

Get a new CPU cooler and unlock that mofo Phenom II.



j/k

An unlocked Tri/Quad Core might sound nice, but it won't really give you any extra performance in 90% of games. It's more of a "if I've got money to spare" sort of thing, rather than an essential upgrade.

[Wheelchair]

I'd suggest a sound card and a nice pair of headphones. I guarentee you that you've never ears audio as good as a dedicated soundcard and headphones...

[Bartzy]

Sennheiser make great headphones. Love it.

[Armenum]

dedicated sound card eh? May do that one. The desktop though must admit is pretty noisy and vents a lot of air. But not sure if I can do much about that.

[mrcrusty]

dedicated sound card eh? May do that one. The desktop though must admit is pretty noisy and vents a lot of air. But not sure if I can do much about that.

Headphones and Sound Card.

Seems like a good combo to me.

Of course, if the noise is otherwise annoying, another solution is to replace every fan in your case with new ones that are quiet, but also vent out a decent amount of air. Spending >$100 on Noctua fans doesn't seem very appealing to me though.

[Shaio]

Well the most obvious component i see your missing is a 64bit os, which would allow you to use all your ram and unlock the potential of your processor.

[Taiji]

I recommend these: http://www.speed-link.com/?p=2&cat=173&pid=2691&paus=1

I love mine.

Older version of those, lasted me about 6 years so far, great sound and happy neighbours

[PoleCat]

I'd suggest upgrading to a 64-bit OS - your 32-bit OS will only recognize 3 GB worth of RAM. To be honest though you will be running up against the Law of Diminishing Returns....

EDIT: Should have read the whole thread first - Shaio beat me to it. Good luck!