Best PCI-e Graphics Card Splurge Option?

[[R-DEV]OkitaMakoto]

I recently came into $1,500 from my school in the form of a check. I plan on depositing the majority of it and not really touching it in the foreseeable future. But, I also want to splurge on myself a little bit(wow, ummm, you know, im not gonna edit that sentence, lets jsut continue) So, now I'm thinking, I don't spend much money AT ALL now, I'm not pressed for money now, nor in the foreseeable future, and what takes up most of my time? (aside from Homework) Thats right. PR and ArmA and a few other video games.

Now, here's where you all come in. Well, preferably those wanting to know also, and computer know-it-alls.

I have an x1900gt 256Mb which is fine. I'm not denying that. I can run PR on almost all full settings(except Textures, too much stuttering) but, say I want to get ArmA running in much higher settings than it is now(mix of Lows and normals for some reason)

Would getting a higher graphics card help? I'm willing to dish out a sizable sum for this, but is it worth it? I mean, sure, PR runs fine now, but I'm thinking ArmA and other games that can't get higher settings/FPS on my current system.

What Im asking is, is it my graphics card I should splurge on? or something else(sound card?)? or just be a smart college kid and save my money?(yuck!)

Current System:
Windows XP sp 2
Pentium D Processor 820
-Dual Core 2.8Ghz
3 gigs of RAM
X1900GT 256Mb PCI-e card
250Gb HD

Suggestions?

Oh, what about a sound card? I'm running your standard Media Center, out of the box soundcard... or... "integrated" as its probably called.

Oh, and I guess I would be selling the X1900GT 256Mb after too if I got a new card...

So, suggestions? Comments?

[[R-DEV]Nickbond592]

soundcards do make a lot of difference to the quality of the games you play
and gives you the option of 5.1 and 7.1 speakers / headphones

i have a 'Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer' and the soundquality is amazing both in terms of the ammount of differnet sounds you can hear at the same time and the quality of each individual sound.

i know next to nothing to do about ATI cards but if its a decent enough card to play BF2 on medium high and arma on medium then keep it and go for a soundcard

[JohnnyPissoff]

I agree with your getting a "hardware" sound card to get you off the use of CPU intensive "software" on-board sound.

I'd personally wait on the graphics card if yours is doing the job without any problems or irritations. Why?...because the longer you hold out for a new card either the cards on the street now will be a lot cheaper tomorrow or the cards that aren't available now will be a hell of a lot faster then anything available now, and you'd have the cash in the bank for one later.

$1,500 coin? How about a loan...I need to fed my head.

[[R-MOD]dunehunter]

Most expensive card atm is the 8800GTX I think, which is also the best atm, though I think that nVidia will be releasing some new cards in a month or so, so waiting for a bit might be worthwhile.

[[R-DEV]OkitaMakoto]

Hmm, thanks guys, Id actually read a bit about the importance of sound cards and their dramatic effect on increasing/maintaining fps.

This actually mgiht be a current problem of mine regarding ArmA, no?

That being said and suggested, any good suggestions for a sound card? I know absolutely nothing baout which ones are even comparable. Id imagine you get one that takes a PCI slot? I dont have another PCI-e slot, i dont think...

nope, all i have is the TV tuner deal it came with(used once, thought it was stupid) and what I assume is some networking card? It has two phone lines... but, in this day and age, if im not using wireless or dialup will i ever need that card? i can get more specifics later if needed...

so for now, whats a good Sound Card?

btw, Thanks guys,
Okita

[vanity]

My Audigy2 is still going strong and it'd probably cost you all of $80 these days. If even that. It's PCI.

If that money is really burning a hole in your pocket, pickup a great set of 5.1 speakers and a big new monitor. Those are 2 things you normally won't upgrade on until you absolutely have to, but they'll add tremendous value to your gaming experience.

It's hard to replace a monitor or speaker setup when you're current setup still works. But jumping up 3-4" in monitor size and getting badass new speakers is going to be something you'll truly enjoy EVERYTIME you use your machine. Not just when you're gaming, but literally whenever you use your pc you'll be happy you made the splurge.

[[R-MOD]dunehunter]

I've got the X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, which has been serving me well.

[nicoliani]

Having 3GB RAM will make DUEL Channel RAM not to work. Either go 2GB or 4GB and with same label/version

[[R-DEV]OkitaMakoto]

Eh, I have a 19 in. LCD, that is at 1280-1024, and Im currently fine with that.

I have 5.1 Speakers (currently only running the front two and Sub due to lack of good positioning in dorm for rears and center) So the speakers are also just fine.

Im looking at the Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer right now on amazon. Looks like it might be a go. It IS XP capable right? i read something on one of them about being for Vista.

heres two links im on right now, which one is best/most ideal?
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blast...9624017&sr=8-3
and
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound...9624017&sr=8-4
the music one... is it geared more towards music then? go with the first choice? Hrrrmmm...

whats the dif? aside from price.. computer stuff is always so dang confusing and EVERY item has "phenomenal sound mixed with the latest in graphical superiority, you'll be blown away!!!"

[[R-DEV]OkitaMakoto]

Originally Posted by nicoliani

Having 3GB RAM will make DUEL Channel RAM not to work. Either go 2GB or 4GB and with same label/version

dual channel ram? hows that go?

i have 2 gig sticks and 2 512 sticks.

in my rows it goes
1gig
512
1gig
512

or possibly
512
1gig
512
1gig

its not 3 gig sticks... does that make it...ok?

**edit** i think i get it... so, its not that each of the two sets has the same amount... its that each in the set is the same type?

i know when i started up after having...
shoot... now i dont remember, maybe my ram sticks goes
1gig
1gig
512
512

because once i put them in, on startup, it said some thing about it not running, maybe in the dual channel mode, unless i changed it... so i did, and it didnt come up again...however it is now, its the better of the avaiable choices... help any? haha...sorry...
**end edit**

ha, thank you guys for all the comments and input, i really appreciate it.