$350 disposable to spend, want to use it on my gaming pc, suggestions?

Liam Murphy

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Apr 4, 2013
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Hey all!

So right now I have $350 disposable, which is amazing I already have quite a beast system, but I might want to take it further. Here are my current specs, then below them I'll list some ideas i had, I want to hear your suggestions too!

I use this system for heavy media encoding (i.e Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator etc) and for gaming. Oh and I also record gameplay videos and upload them to youtube, I already have a Blue Yeti microphone.

CPU: AMD FX 8350 w/ Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
GPU: Windforce Gigabyte GTX 770 OC 2 GB
RAM: 16 GB 1866 Mhz
MOBO: Asus Sabertooth 990fx
PSU: PC power and cooling silver 950w
HDD Space: 3 1 TB hard drives = 3 TB total
Case: NZXT Phantom full-size tower

So, here are some ideas I had.

1: Get a second 770, I only game on 1 1080p monitor, but if I can get 60 fps on some upcoming games like AC4 maxed out that'd be awesome. I'm willing to spend $400 on this because in the upcoming holiday bundle for the 770 I'll get AC4, Batman: Arkham Origins, and Splinter Cell: Blacklist for FREE.

2: Upgrade several, smaller things. Like geting a Noctua NHU14s for more OC'ing, get better headphones ( I only have a cheap $15 yapster headset lol)

3: Random idea: Upgrade to a intel system, probably can't do that with $350 unless I want a xeon or something, this idea isn't that good.

4: Any ideas you guys might have?

Thanks so much guys!

 
Solution
I would first buy a ssd for the os. 120gb at least, preferably 240gb. You will be amazed at the difference.

If you have funds left, buy a second 1080P monitor.
It is most useful for everyday work.
While gaming, you can keep email or monitors active on the side monitor.

Liam Murphy

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Apr 4, 2013
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I am ALL about value for the money, hence a cpu like the amd fx 8350. I don't want to spend $250 on JUST a headset. Besides I don't need a headset, I've already got a Blue Yeti desktop microphone. I don't want to spend more than $100 on headphones if I go for option #2.
 

P1nnacle

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Well it's all up to personal choice, and there are different headsets that are cheaper, I'd just point out that your cheaper peripherals are probably part of the problem with #1, if you don't know what your system is fully capable of doing, how can you know what to upgrade?
 

Liam Murphy

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Apr 4, 2013
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The reason #1 is an option is because I already have a great keyboard/mouse, I'm not an audiophile so I'm actually happy with my cheap headphones. I just like to hear as many opinions as possible. :D
 

P1nnacle

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Well in that case I'd go with number 1, but you should think about getting a slightly better pair of headphones, they will help you in games. I know logitech sells a nice pair for 40-50 ish dollars.
 
I would first buy a ssd for the os. 120gb at least, preferably 240gb. You will be amazed at the difference.

If you have funds left, buy a second 1080P monitor.
It is most useful for everyday work.
While gaming, you can keep email or monitors active on the side monitor.
 
Solution

Liam Murphy

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Apr 4, 2013
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This is not a bad idea at all. I might just buy the 120g, save some money. Anyone have experience with Avermedia capture cards for PC's? The ones that go into the PCI slots? Because I record videos that would help a ton with performance.

 

P1nnacle

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From What I've read, the capture cards are really helpful for recording, takes a lot of processing away from your GPU. Pair that with an SSD, and while you'd have to reinstall your OS, that would be a good combo.
 

Liam Murphy

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Apr 4, 2013
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Okay, that is probably the way to go. Thanks P1nnacle and everyone else! I will leave it unsolved for maybe an hour longer and hear any other options, but I'll probably pick your post P1nnacle is the solution. Thanks again. :D