Need to upgrade my computer, what would I need?

[Syntex]

I am looking to upgrade my PC to play the new MMO Aion when it comes out in September but I have no idea what I need.

This is my dxdiag

Spoiler: show

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DXP061
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 2.5.0
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6320 @ 1.86GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1928MB used, 2009MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0400&SUBSYS_043810DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7824 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/7/2008 14:33:00, 6058112 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/7/2008 14:33:00, 6133856 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4740-11CF-FE6D-332400C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0400
SubSys ID: 0x043810DE
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A

Now I didn't post it all just let me know if I am missing anything from it that would be important need to know info.

What I was hoping someone might be able to tell me is what I would need to run Aion in full graphics and no slowdowns in cities. As of right now I run the game 75fps+ in most areas but slow down in cities and when loading there is usually a minute of lag when jumping to a new area with everything loading up and I was hoping to remove all of that completely.

The game runs way better then WoW does on my PC but I want to push over the edge to make it run flawlessly but I am unsure how to do that.

I know I will probably need some more RAM but not sure what kind and how much it would cost ect.

Anyone have any suggestions to turn my PC into an awesome gaming machine?

Also if there is any general tips for maintaining a PC that might improve performance like port forwarding, defrag, keeping 50% of my HD clear ect please let me know as I still have no idea what port forwarding does or how to do it.

Any help would be much appreciated

[Tythera]

One thing to note, if you upgrade video card and CPU you'll just about 100% need a new power supply.

For a video card, higher end:
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
or
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

For a video card, budget end:
Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTX275/HTDI/896MD3 GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
or
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE TOXIC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

RAM (assuming no overclock):
Newegg.com - Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS24G6400LLKN - Desktop Memory

You'll have to find a power supply that fits in your Dell case as people said below to power any of the above video cards. I also took out my CPU suggestion since I didn't know the board couldn't handle 45nm C4Qs.

[Zumi]

Dells can be hard to upgrade if you have an older one which it looks like you might since you seem to have a older processor.

Depends on the motherboard you got but a lot of the old Dell motherboards don't support any of the newer 45 nm core 2 duo processors. Cause its Dell probably the best processor you can put in it is the core 2 duo E6700.

Yea GTX 285 is good like the previous poster said.

Also you have to check what speed ram your motherboard supports cause 667 mhz ddr2, which is somewhat slow by today's standards is the highest speed a lot of the old Dell motherboards support.

[Olo401]

Ok from what I can gather between your dxdiag & the owner's manual here's your system specs:

CPU : Core 2 Duo E6320 1.86gHz (1066 FSB, 4MB L2 Cache)
Mobo : Dell XPS Custom Design, Intel P965 Express/ICH8
Memory : 2x1GB DDR2-533 Dual Channel
Video : GeForce 8600GTS
PSU : Rated for 375W

I'll say this right off the top - the video card will be tricky to upgrade because your power supply is rated at such a low wattage. You shouldn't have a problem upgrading to say a GeForce GTS250 or Radeon 4770 though. If you absolutely need to have a GTX275 though, upgrade the PSU - Antec makes a couple units that will fit in a Dell case.

Your CPU upgrade choices are a bit more open, but are limited to the capabilities of the chipset. The P965 express can take the 65 & 45nm Duos and the 65nm Quads processors that have a 533, 800 or 1066 FSB, but you'll probably need a BIOS update to do it. I'm pretty sure it can't take the 45nm Quads even with a BIOS flash.

Memory is pretty easy - you can upgrade here to 4 gigs (4x1GB) of DDR2-800.