I just purchased an MSI factory OC'd 8800 gt. I got a good deal on it, but unfortunately, it is the only part of my pc that has been updated in three years. I hate to say it, but I haven't gotten as big of a performance boost in games as I had hoped for. Based on my specs, am I bottlenecking my video card?

One other question. If I replace the motherboard and cpu, it is still possible to use the same hardrive or do I have to start from scratch? Thanks.

FYI...When you change things like motherboards and CPUs, Microsoft thinks you are trying to cheat them by installing the same copy of Windows on more than one computer.

So if you do change motherboards and/or CPUs you will need to reinstall Windows and use up one of the activations on your copy of Windows. If you have already used all the allowed activations, then you will need to buy a new licence.

Well I know I haven't used all of them up yet. So do you use the same hard drive or do you have to start from scratch?

In my experience I'd say it is more a case of using another activation count, but you need to be careful with the Windows Installation procedure. If you select the wrong option you could wipe your existing files.

I suggest if you do go with a new motherboard and/or a new CPU that you first iron out exactly what the Windows Installation procedure is so that doesn't happen.

There is probably a procedure written on the Internet that will walk you through it. There might even be one here in the PCHF database. When you are ready, I'm sure someone here will be able to help you.

Good Luck...