looking to get a new computer part, need help deciding

[litefire]

the 5$ dollar shipping XD not rebate..it wouldnt work

[Trevortt]

I use Vista HP 64Bit as i am a power user and i wanted to move up the letter to take advantage of my hardware in this mode.

As for your questions:

Hello..
i currently have 2gigs of DDR2800 Corsair XMS2 memory in my P5k mobo, but since i got a $50 dollar giftcard for newegg, i want to buy more memory. I am well aware that 32bit operating systems can only recognize up to 3gigs or RAM, but im kind of clueless on this question:
Should i get another 1GB stick of Corsair XMS2 memory to total 3gigs, same brand to ensure proper fuctionality, or get an extra 2 gigs of another brand so it won't top $50?
or should i just move up to 64bit operating system?
thanks

I would upgrade to Vista 64Bit, then later get another 2GB RAM, (vista runs best with 4GB of RAM.)

Hard Drive: Maxtor 160gb 7200 rpm ( from like 4 years ago, should i get a new one?)

I recommend moving onto a western digital drive, i have heard Maxtors to fail and also are loud and unstable.

PSU: Thermaltake 430 Watts (Should i get a more powerful one?)
OS: 32Bit Windows XP service pack 2 (probably going to move to vista, or no?)

a 8800 Card requires atleast a 450W PSU and ot has to be adecent one at that, preferable once from, akasa, coolermaster, OCZ, Tagan, Corsair etc

[litefire]

ok thanks trevorrt you helped a lot more than the other did in ONE post! ...amazing!
haha jk but thx
trevoort what do u suggest first?
i also have $60 dollars in bestbuy gift cards LOL, but i think i will buy a pc game with that

for the $60 dollars in best buy money...
im going to buy a pc game
its between
1. Crysis (Already Finished singleplayer at a friends house, want mp now)
2. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
3. The Orange Box
4. Bioshock

What are your suggestions?

[jubb jubb]

CoD4!!!!

[signa]

orange box!

[litefire]

lolz....see this is my problem XD

[jubb jubb]

actually, your gfx card could hardly those games until you upgrade....

thats the only thing you need to upgrade in your system but if you do get a 8800 you will need a new 500< psu. and for the cpu cooling you only need one if your cpu is getting too hot

[litefire]

so..lolz

should i save my newegg card till my birthday in april, i will ask for money..then i could buy an 8800GT or a 7900GT or something in that range, and i would get a psu with bestbuy cards....ahh so many different opinions
jubb jubb i can run crysis on medium with 25 fps..you seriously think i cant run the orange box or cod4??

i would get a second 7600GS to put in SLI but my mobo is crossfire, didnt really check that before i bought it :cry:

and how hot is "too hot"?
my E6750 runs at about 97F idle and 101F full load...thats fine right?

damn never mind powersupplies at best buy are like $150 for a 550 watt :|:
how about this? would this be enough for an 8800GT?