Time for an Upgrade

Okay, so here's the deal. Built the computer a little over a year ago now, need a little more umpf so I don't fall to far behind everyone else. Specs are in my spec sheet on the left. I play MMORPG video games daily, as well as do heavy graphic and cpu intensive programs creating maps, as I'm a cartographer. I haven't kept up with the best of the best news really bc of work/school keeping me busy, so I still have some reading to do but thought It'd be nice to get a head start on where to look. Here's some comments about what I have since I built it and what I want going forward:

1. After overclocking and setting up a year ago, the idle temps were 44, 44, 39, 38 approximately for the cores, high 60s stress tested 100% cpu. First of all, noticeable difference in the cores, which leads me to believe the cooler isn't 100% seated properly. Resat and same problem, so it needs to be lapped. Never got around to it, and with the new technology out there, I may as well buy a new cooler and lap that. Here's another interesting fact, computer runs 56 56 48 49 idle now with high 60s (closing in on my max) when only pushing 25% cpu (about my max for my gaming, haven't stress tested since it's been running this hot because it will most likely sky rocket temps). I've kept the dust out fairly well, so I don't think it's that, however it has gotten quite hot here in AZ, but it was just as bad in the Winter, so don't know whats up. So basically, what's a good cooler to get these days?

2. Memory needs to be upgraded. It's slow, overclocks poorly, and only have 4GB, of which I utilize almost all of it daily.

3. Video card is artifacting and couldn't get a chance to send it in before the warranty was up because I needed to use the comp everyday for work/school. Plus it's way behind the competition these days anyways. Need an upgrade, only one card because of what the mobo allows. Pretty much anything is better than this these days, shoot me something cheap but powerful.

4. Anything else you guys would recommend? Those are the big things that I can remember off the top of my head. Case/hdd/mobo/psu all seems gtg still.

Budget: $300 (Approx $200 for video card, $50 for cooler, $50 for memory)

 

GPU-
ati
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801
nvidia
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433


HSF-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223


RAM-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

 

Also for an nvidia graphic card choice look at the xfx black edition 260 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150330
fastest 260 on the market and comes bundled with farcry2/cod5 full versions. theres a sale going on so instead of 219, you are paying 170 and free shipping.

 

1: that may not be that it needs to be lapped at all, but sometimes the sensors are messed up so you will have to do what is called calibrating the program to make up for the temperature sensor's error, i do not know how to do this though. And as for your idle temps rising is possibly your thermal paste, i also built my pc to the left in specs(save i had a 8800GT,RIP) about a year and half ago (last jan) and my idle temps were 36-38 at my oc, however bout a month ago they climbed to 45-48, then to low 50's. Replaced the TIM and temps are back to 36 idle.
2: -----
3: HD 4770 is more powerful than the 9800GT/HD 4830, if you oc can match the HD 4850/GTS 250, and it is cheap, only $100 bucks. ah but i see you said $200 for card, so GTX 260 core 216 FTW man

recommend this
Zotac GTX 260 core 216
idk if it's the 65nm or 55nm but the 65nm i heard overclocked better anyways so no biggie either way.

Memory:
G.Skill PI Black 2x2GB 4-4-4-12 timings 1.8v. they'll oc very nicely
Cooler
Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283 this is one of the most common coolers now, very good for it's price, kinda the AC Freezer Pro 7 of 2008-09 only with better temperatures.