Is it time to upgrade Core 2 Duo System?

I read online that many games that are out now are going to benefit from having more than 2 cores to run properly. I am wondering if it is time for a mobo, cpu, and ram upgrade, or should I wait a little longer?


I Would like to upgrade to a rig that allows me to do at least one CPU upgrade 2-3 years down the line, so that I don't have to buy a completely new system at that time again.


I did consider just getting one of the older processors like the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650, n dropping it into my current setup but noticed that prices are still a little high for an older Socket 775 CPU. Really unsure what to do. Can anyone plse advise me?





Current System Spec:


CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Overclocked to 3.73 Ghz (I can oc and run stable at 4 Ghz, but had to loosen memory timings a little- didn't notice much difference in FPS at 4 Ghz so went back to 3.73 Ghz)


Cooler: GeminII S524


Memory: Corsair XMS2 DHX DDR2 800MHz 2 x 2GB (running at stock timings 4-4-4-12).


MOBO: Gigabyte, GA-EP45-UD3


Hard Drive: WD Velociraptor (300 Gig)


GPU: R6850 Cyclone 1GD5 Power Edition (Slightly Oc'd, running at 900Mhz n Memory at 1200 Mhz).


OS: Windows 64 Ultimate.


PSU: OCZ 500 W Modstream Pro (I think)


Display: Dell IN2020M (Resolution: 1600 by 900)





Games I Enjoy Playing:


Rpgs (Witcher 1, Witcher 2, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect Series)


Shooters (Crysis 2, Deus Ex Revolutions)


Action (Darksiders, Space Marines)


Not really into RTS for the moment.





Framerates I currently get (from FRAPS):


65-75 Witcher 1 (haven't tried witcher 2 yet)


55-65 Space Marines


65-75 Deus Ex Revolutions





Am playing all games on mostly high settings (execpt for Anistropic, which I generally keep at 4x.


Am wondering if I go for a hexa-core or higher CPU, new Mobo, DDr 3 Ram, will I see significant improvement in my framerates for these kinds of games, and if so, how much of an improvement? Don't have a working budget yet. Of course, I could just save up and go for a completely new build, and stretch this current system I have. I am open to any useful suggestions. Thanks for reading.|||Although your system is beginning to get a bit outdated it's still capable of running most games fairly well. Another point is that the Intel Ivy Bridge processors are due for release in the near future, so you might prefer to wait for them rather than buying a Sandy Bridge processor now. AMD don't currently produce a processor that compete with the Sandy Bridge so you wouldn't gain much by buying one of their processors and a matching board.|||Are you crazy or you did that on purpose go study or work somewhere!!!|||Core 4 and core 8 (AMD) are now out so core 2 are becoming out dated, but it is still the most popular core though if you can afford it and want to update then by all means do, but no real point if your current games are running fine, would be a waste of money.|||yes it is time to upgrade. don't waste ur money on amd since their current products are losing the battle against intel and nvidia, so get lga 1155 mobo and i5 2500k, u can keep ur gpu or get something quite a lot faster for just little over 200$ (gtx 560 ti).