Need help deciding which parts to buy - $200-400 upgrade

[godbreath]

So, after just under 2 years, my desktop died, the motherboard would not post at all, and on top of that, my motherboard has a 2 year warranty, but starting from the date of manufacture, so I just missed it. Anyways, I bought the motherboard using american express(which provides an extra year of warranty), and they said they will probably refund me the whole $175 i paid for my abit ip35-pro. I don't think I want to spend that money on old tech (core 2 duo's) and would much rather build a new computer using as much as I can from my old computer.

This is my old computer right now: The stuff in bold is what im looking to reuse
CPU: E8400 (hoping to sell on ebay for around $100)
CPU cooler: ninja scythe (can I reuse this on the new core i5/i7?)
Motherboard: IP 35-pro (dead)
Ram: 2x1 Crucial DDR2 (can't reuse these)
Video Card: 8800gt evga (pretty sure I can reuse it, but I want a new one)
Video Card Cooler: Accerelo S1 (definitely want to reuse this)
PSU: Antec Neohe 550 (going to reuse)
Case: Antec Solo (going to reuse)

So as of now, I need to buy a new CPU, Motherboard, and video card. I have not been keeping up with computer news for the past 6 months or so, but I do know that the new core look promising. I also want a computer that can be cooled actively with 3 5v yates - one on the gfx card, one on the cpu, and one exhaust (what i'm doing now). That being said, which core cpu and graphics card should I be looking at? Thanks

 

[crazy pyro]

You'll be able to reuse the scythe on i5 definitely http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/press-room/press-releases/socket-1156-compatibility.html.
I'm not so hot on US prices so I'll leave that to the yanks on here.

 

[n-ster]

How about RAM? CPU+Mobo+RAM will get you to 400$, so forget about Video Card, if you are going i5 that is...

where do you live? You live close to a Microcenter?

 

[godbreath]

You'll be able to reuse the scythe on i5 definitely http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/press-room/press-releases/socket-1156-compatibility.html.
I'm not so hot on US prices so I'll leave that to the yanks on here.

thats good to know

How about RAM? CPU+Mobo+RAM will get you to 400$, so forget about Video Card, if you are going i5 that is...

where do you live? You live close to a Microcenter?

shoot, i forgot about the ram I guess I can just reuse my 8800gt for now then.

I do not live close to a microcenter. I am living in college dorms right now, and Im going back to my hometown next week where I do live close to a microcenter

 

[n-ster]

get the i5 750 from Microcenter... You plan on Overclocking? Maybe try to get used RAM from here... 2x2gb DDR3 should be fine

 

[godbreath]

im not sure if im going to overclock or not.
how much is the i5 750 at microcenter?
and what about the cpu+mobo combos from frys?

 

[n-ster]

oh forgot about that... if you want to bust the bank a little, i7 920 + MSI board at 350-20$ MIR and then get yourself 3x2gb of RAM Else let me look at the other ones

 

[n-ster]

ehh you might want to see next week's deals if you are not tempted by that i7 920

 

[TIGR]

First I have to ask what you primarily use the system for.

You can get an AMD Athlon X4 620 and a good AM3 (DDR2 or DDR3) under $200 easy.

 

[n-ster]

I'm guessing this is for gaming, so that athlon x4 isn't ideal really...

 

[godbreath]

its actually for light gaming/server/htpc
however, being the guy i am, I always like to run games on high settings on my 2408wfp :]

i think ill just wait until a good i5/i7 combo comes up on frys for < $250 or so