Upgrading: Is i7 930 a bottleneck to R9 GPU

recoman3

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Nov 18, 2013
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I would like to patch up my current system to last another 2-3 years before doing a major overhaul - my immediate priority is to run Battlefield 4 highest quality (or close enough) on 1920x1080.

Ideally I will upgrade my GPU to one of the new Radeon R9's, but am concerned about my CPU being a bottleneck. Here's my current system:
CPU: Intel i7 930 CPU with Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Super CPU cooler
MB: GA X58A-UD3R Motherboard
RAM: 6G DDR3 Corsair TR36G1600C7 7-7-7-20
GPU: GA Radeon HD5870 850Mhz 1G DDR5
PSU: Cooler Master CM690 with Seasonic 850W Power

Can I make do with my current CPU? If yes:
- Which GPU is ideal, R9 280x or R9 290? (or other?)
- To what extent can I over clock the CPU? (Any tips appreciated)

Otherwise, I am open to doing a CPU upgrade as well, but due to cost that would rule out the R9 290 and limit me to one of the new i5's. Please suggest ideal CPU/GPU combo.

Timing: By year's end
Budget: Up to $750 Australian Dollars

Thanks in advance for your wisdom, I appreciate your time.
 
Solution
I think the bottle neck will be minimal. The i7-930 is in the range of the big Phenom IIs. Even with that, the new card will make a huge improvement. You could probably stop at an R9-270X if you wanted better balance w/o any wasted bottleneck. But of course, it will depend on the games involved either way. Whether they are CPU or GPU intensive. And whether or not you game online on busy servers.

gcatalin

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Aug 18, 2011
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I would suggest you try to oc your cpu. To what extent, that you will have to find out, each cpu is different. If you oc it, i don't think you need a new cpu for now, the 930 still packs a punch.
 

recoman3

Honorable
Nov 18, 2013
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10,510
Thank on the tip re OC. I'll go down that route.

Even if I OC though, will I have a significant gain in performance going for 290 rather than 280x, or am I just throwing money away?
 

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador
I think the bottle neck will be minimal. The i7-930 is in the range of the big Phenom IIs. Even with that, the new card will make a huge improvement. You could probably stop at an R9-270X if you wanted better balance w/o any wasted bottleneck. But of course, it will depend on the games involved either way. Whether they are CPU or GPU intensive. And whether or not you game online on busy servers.
 
Solution