Looking to upgrade a few things. Could use some help.

[kylendm]

Hey everyone.

I'm looking to upgrade a few things in my computer. Right now I'm using this computer for mainly audio applications/mixing/recording and all the sorts of that. I also do play games but that's not too important right now.

Here's my current specs:
Windows 7 Professional 64bit
AMD Phenom II X6 1050T
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4N75TD
GeForce GTX 460
2TB harddrive

The main thing I'm looking at is to upgrade my RAM since the applications I use are very memory heavy and since I use 64bit anyway I mind as well get 12gb.

I'll probably upgrade my graphics card to a 7970 down the line but right now I'm not too worried about it.

The next thing I want to upgrade is my motherboard being that the M4N75TD bios isn't very friendly, it's getting a little old and there are some conflicting problems with some of the pci cards I'm using with my graphics card.

The last thing is, if I get a new motherboard and ram should I get the AM3+ boards? I see that the FX AMD processors are out but they have terrible reviews. I like my 1050tt and I never have problems with it but should I make the switch to Intel? I have only ever used AMD processors and I don't really know too much about Intel ones so if there is something better than what I have out there please recommend it!

I have about $400-500 on budget for these upgrades and any help would be appreciated!

 

[whs]

I would think a RAM upgrade to 8GB will suffice - and even that is probably too much. I would keep the CPU and the board (unless there is really too much wrong with the BIOS). I would add a SSD. Here is a good deal for $60: OCZ VTX3-25SAT3-120G Vertex 3 Solid State Drive - 120GB, 2.5, SATA III at TigerDirect.com