Need some feedback for upgrading old gaming PC

[ebonized]

Hi all. Looking to get some input on how I should upgrade my old gaming PC. I got it about 4.5 years ago (I think) for about $4000... and I've finally come to realize that it's no longer the beast it used to be. Still works, but after playing some new games (Rift comes to mind), I can see that it's not working how it should. I get a max of 25 FPS and 15 FPS during high volumes of players, which is starting to bother me.

I'm assuming my main problems are with the processor and video card, as well as my 32 bit Windows XP system (I have 4 gigs of RAM too, which I upgraded about a year ago but didn't realize that I can only use 3 because of the 32 bit ). Looking to upgrade to 64-bit Windows 7 if it's possible (I'm really not sure).

Just looking for suggestions and how I would go about rebuilding these essential components in my PC...how it'll work, if it's possible, and what parts are good for their value (although I'm willing to spend a little more on a better card/processor).

I'm unfamiliar with posting PC specs and whatnot, so I'll just post what I think is relevant unless someone tells me otherwise.

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell XPS720
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A06
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1368MB used, 3586MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)


Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX
Display Memory: 768.0 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Please let me know what I can do. Thanks

[birddog_61]

I would upgrade to 7 64 bit and change out the graphics card, your core 2 quad is probably not hurting you to much. Give us the specs of your power supply, the model number in particular and we will let you know what it can handle. If you upgrade the OS and graphics cards and still are not happy with the performance you can always move both of them to a new system if you decide to build from scratch. What types of games are you wanting to play, FPS like crysis and battlefield?