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Gaming PC - which component is the weak link? Want to upgrade!

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  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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September 20, 2013 10:09:34 AM

Hi Everyone

About 6 years ago, I bought a pretty high end gaming PC. Since then I havent touched it other than to upgrade the hard-drives. My current config is:

Coolermaster Large Tower case
Decent ASUS Motherboard (3 years old) not sure which one but I recall it doesn't support the new intel chips
Intel core i7 920 2.67Ghz
NVidia GTX295 X 2 (SLI)
6MB Corsair 1600mhz DDR3 RAM
SSD X2 (RAID 0 config)
Large back-up drive (external)
1200W power unit
Monitor = Dell 22inch 1920X1200

Just in the last year or so, I've noticed I can't run majority of games on super max detail. It's still fine, but I think I am coming to a point where I could upgrade (things like RTW2, GTAV etc...).

What I am at a complete loss about is what to upgrade to get the most out of games - I've now got a bit of budget to spend and want to upgrade in the next few weeks. It's hard to say how much as it's not a fixed amount. I dont want to buy a whole new $2000 system, but would be prepared to spend upto $1000 on new parts (maybe a bit more if a new monitor was in there!). I'm based in London and would likely buy parts from (and get the shop to build for me - sorry!) Yoyo tech:

http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/

My criteria are that I want to upgrade things that will future proof me for playing games on max settings, and ideally be transferable to my future whole system upgrade (motherboard and processor). I like tech, but wouldnt fiddle with overclocking unless I had to (which I may on the i7 chip I have!).

My current thoughts are this:

1) My hard drives are plenty fast
2) I dont think I'd such a huge leap if I were to upgrade my motherboard and processor in terms of games
3) I am not sure if adding 3X4MB of faster RAM would help
4) I am thinking foremost about a new graphics card, and like NVidia so have the GTX770:

http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/gtx770-asus-directcu-ii-2gb-g...

or maybe even SLI two of them. I've tried to find a decent comparison of a singe GTX770 vs my current 295X2 in SLI but cant work it out! Would just one GTX770 be faster?

5) Perhaps also a new higher res monitor such as the 27" Dell U2713H LED AH-IPS 2560x1440 (which I assume would need a better graphics card)

http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/27-dell-u2713h-led-ah-ips-256...

6) Perhaps one solution would be to buy one GTX770, the monitor and the RAM (although this would MAX my budget) and then down the line add a further 770 (or two!) to keep up with games.

I would REALLY appreciate your help generally, and specifically on my 6
points above. Tell me if I'm way off - thank you!

Stephen

More about : gaming component weak link upgrade

September 20, 2013 10:17:17 AM

If u have the money get a 780, Korean 1440p monitor and 2 more gigs of ram (you'll need it in a year or so) should come out to ~1000
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September 20, 2013 10:18:04 AM

No, you're pretty dead on. Your GPU setup is what I'd upgrade the most, especially if you start OCing that CPU a litle.

If you want to stick with nVidia, then either the 760 or the 770 would be good cards.

If you are going to game at a higher resolution than 1080p however, I would considergetting myself maybe a 780... butI'd wait next week when AMD announces their new GPU line (Vlcanic Island). Even if AMD products don't spark your interest, they'll most probably force nvidia to lower their pices slightly, so you'd have maybe more room in your budget for a 780 (or 2x770).
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September 20, 2013 10:20:34 AM

The GTX 295 was da bomb.... Four years ago.
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September 20, 2013 10:51:41 AM

Johnny_C13 said:
No, you're pretty dead on. Your GPU setup is what I'd upgrade the most, especially if you start OCing that CPU a litle.

If you want to stick with nVidia, then either the 760 or the 770 would be good cards.

If you are going to game at a higher resolution than 1080p however, I would considergetting myself maybe a 780... butI'd wait next week when AMD announces their new GPU line (Vlcanic Island). Even if AMD products don't spark your interest, they'll most probably force nvidia to lower their pices slightly, so you'd have maybe more room in your budget for a 780 (or 2x770).


Thanks Johnny - good to hear! 780 is almost twice the price here in UK as a 770 so bang for buck it's not a great value investment - probably better off with two 770 when need arises. That said, I will wait until NVidia does their next price drop as you suggest and see what's going on then!
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September 20, 2013 10:53:27 AM

FlyingHelmet said:
The GTX 295 was da bomb.... Four years ago.


Got it 5 years ago :) 
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September 20, 2013 10:54:24 AM

FlyingHelmet said:
If u have the money get a 780, Korean 1440p monitor and 2 more gigs of ram (you'll need it in a year or so) should come out to ~1000


Thanks - the 780 is almost twice the 770 price here in the UK so I think I'd be better off with 2X770.
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September 20, 2013 1:30:27 PM

Yeah, a SLI 770 setup will not disappoint you ;) 

P.S.: Holy crap, typos galore in my last post... gotta love the keyboard at work.
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