Would I get any improvements coming from a q8300 at 2.5 ghz?

Also, I need help deciding:

I've been doing a few more odd jobs since monday, and got enough for another gts 250.
Additionally, I used all the old parts from my upgrade to pretty much build another computer :O However, this pc still lacks a hard drive, a cd reader, and a gpu. The HD and dvd won't be very expensive (did I mention it's for my mom?).

Getting side tracked.
So would it be better to get a gts 250 now for 2x sli, and when the mid range 400 series come out, put that in the old gpu and buy maybe the "gtx 450." Or would it be better to just keep saving until I have enough for a slightly higher end card?

Or even then, would 2 250's be better than a next gen midrange card + physx card? It sure would be cheaper, that's for sure. But dx11 is really tempting.
Or even consider an ati 5000 card?

Actually there doesn't seem to be much loss in 2 gts's. The old pc needs one eventually anyway, except I could just buy a low end card since she's mostly using it for browsing etc. I can't see my mom gaming......

But I'd like some more experienced opinions on the best path.


All typed while waiting for GTA IV to redownload off of steam so I can test how it runs

That's a misconception. As far as I know, GTA IV is not optimized for multiple cores. Therefore it should run faster (and more importantly: cheaper) on a dual core with higher frequencies, FSB and cache size than its quad-core counterpart which sometimes might cost twice as much.

It looks a lot smoother now, not as many slowdowns in the explosions. The lack of Antialiasing hurts my eyes though >_<

Also, I'm hovering right over the buy button on another gts 250 for $110 (after $20 rebate) at Frys.com. Is there anything I should be cautious of before I finalize the order?

EDIT: ...it's pretty cheap and I can make the money back in a couple of weeks. Ordered anyway. >_>
I'll need a gpu for the spare pc eventually, and there would be a price difference of ~$40 bucks between the gts and something last gen that is reasonable. Plus, I get the extra performance until nvidia gets their midrange dx11 cards out.