I need a new CPU and probably motherboard. I was putting it off a while but my old monitor broke and I got a new one.
1680x1050 and now my game run like ass in the new res. I did get a new gfx card a few months ago but my system is definitely being bottlenecked by my really old CPU. (its possible I might need new RAM too for a new motherboard)

This is the currect specs:

AMD athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4400+
ASUS A8n-SLI deluxe PCI-Express Mainboard - ATX
2048MB DDR400 memory - PC3200
XFX GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB Alpha Dog XXX Edition
Samsung SM2232BW 22" Widescreen Black TFT Monitor

Price I am looking to spend is mid to high range. (price vs performance)

If you have some recommendations please also say the best place to get them from. Thanks

Gigabyte p35-DS3L and DS3R are great boards and an E8400 or Q6600 would be perfect.

I agree with robertito for processor choice, but I would get the Asus P5Q deluxe instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131297

EDIT: Spelling

This is good for a bit of future proofing? So I wouldnt have to upgrade for another 1 - 2 years? Also which processor do yo agree with for gaming? There is 2

Well if you are gaming only than I would go with the dual core. You will be able to overclock more.

As far as future proofing is concerned, be warned that Nehalem is coming out soon, so the P45's will no longer be the latest and greatest then. They will still perform well compared to newer stuff for several years though.

you mean this cpu?
http://www.google.co.uk/products?s [...] 1&ct=title

Why don't you just OC what you have and save your cash untill the after Xmas sales when all the prices drop like stones in a pond?

If your hot to buy now then look around...3Ghz dual core AMD,Asus or XFX MB and 2GB DDR2-800 combos are saleing for $199 or under.

possibly could you link me what you are talking about? I really want to upgrade now though because the games arent running so well on this new monitor. Plus a couple of games are coming out I want to run

What game are you playing? If it's Crysis, then forget about it.

If you want somewhat future proofing, then you probably should wait for Nahelem and Deneb to be available on newegg.

well actually I can play crysis on medium settings with physics on high on 1280x1024 with steady fps .

I think I perhaps used the wrong word. I want to future proof to an extent but it doesnt still need to really decent in 2 years.

I dont want to buy the wrong thing so could you link me the items please?

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138128

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103773

OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103234

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211066

I would go for the 6000+ since thats what i got it can oc to around 3.3 with an aftermarket cooler.The mobo also supports the new phenom 9950 cpu if you ever wanted to upgrade plus it comes with the new 750 chipset!

If your upgrading now, i recommend a cheap Socket 775 MB based on P45 chipset and an Allendale Pentium Dual Core E2160 and OC the chip to 3+ Ghz.

Everything will change within hte next 12 months (new MB/Ram/CPU for nahelem).

Get a decent system going for < 200 bones.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116052
E2180 @ $70 shipped (up FSB to 300mhz or lower multiplier to 9 and change the FSB to 333).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813135059
ECS P35 board for $74 shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227178
OCZ DDR2 1066 for $45 shipped (2GB)

Total Cost of upgrade = $45 + $74 + $70 = $189

Coupled with your 8800GTS 512mb you should get anotyher year or two out of your system until Nahelm becomes cheaper/mainstream.

This cpu? I will get that if thats what you mean.

http://www.google.co.uk/products?s [...] 1&ct=title

An AMD athlon X2 4400+ is not that old, my overclocked AMD athlon X2 4000+ is a few months old, and running at 2.5 ghz, very fast. I will eventually upgrade (it still is bottlenecking my 9600GT), but it is not too severe.

I can play Crysis on Very high (with some tweaking, and it is a "Cheap" version, since I'm running XP with Crysis), and it runs with a resolution of 1200x1024 or so with 25 fps 99% of the time, except during multiplayer, where it runs at about 13 fps (which is why I don't play multiplayer!).