Recommend upgrades?

Ok so i've had my system for about 1.5years now, and I think it would be a wise time to make a few upgrades to my system while I still have the cash saved up!

Here is my system:
Chassis Model: Digital Storm 950Si
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: Paint Screws and Hose Clamps (Red)
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1866MHz Digital Storm Certified by mushkin enhanced (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (32MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU
Liquid Color: Red: Non-conductive High-Performance Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 Cooling Package)
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With LED Performance Fans (Red) (Up to 6 Fans)
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade)
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service)
Windows Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Pre-Install Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty


I was thinking about upgrading the RAM, adding a soundcard, upgrading to a 580gtx, and possibly adding an SSD. Any second opinions on what upgrades I should make in terms of my hardware? My budget is about $750.00.

Also on a sidenote, is it possible for me to use 4gb sticks of ddr3 1600 with my mobo? it's designed to handle 12gb total so I'm not sure if that means the slots can only handle 2gb sticks (2gb x 6slots = 12gb) or if i would be able to use 3x 4gb sticks and hit the cap of 12gb.

I was going to drain my coolant and replace it, but after calling DS the tech said as long as there isn't algea, all I need to do is top it off with the same coolant. I'm just scared because even though it's not there now, I really don't want to get algae in my loop, so idk if I should just topoff like he said or replace it all. Second opinions on this?

Its a great idea to flush your system once a year, its like cleaning your pc once a month, sure you can not clean it, but its best to do so, otherwise once every 3 years you should flush and clean loops.

forget ram upgrade, are you even actually using the whole 6GB?

only upgrades I see are:

1. intel 320 120GB ssd as HDD1, and push 1TB to HDD2.

HDD1 = fast small drive: os/apps/games

HDD2 = regular large drive: media/personal/work file storage

2. upgrade gpu to 570 gtx, with your mobo and psu, you can do sli 570/580 if you needed to.

3. Wait till the prices on the i7 6 cores drop, and upgrade your cpu in a little while if you like.

Edited by DST4ME - 27 Apr 2011 at 11:51pm