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Upgrading Computer (thinking of 290 vs 290x)

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  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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November 22, 2013 10:40:18 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I can buy whenever hopefully before Christmas if aftermarket coolers come out
BUDGET RANGE: $550

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (Star Citizien in the future)
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Sapphire 7970 (non ghz edition) and 750 watt Seasonic gold rated psu

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Case: Rosewill Blackhawk
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: N/A
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.A/Boston

PARTS PREFERENCES: Probably going to stick with AMD because I feel their price/performance is better for where I'm going to for

OVERCLOCKING: Yes / No / Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is my current problem, I have $300-$350 to spend on something and I want to upgrade my computer. However I think I can sell my current 7970(is a year old) for $200 so that bumps that budget to the $550 range. Any suggestions on what I should buy if not a gpu. If I can swing it should I buy a 280mm aio water cooler like the kraken x60 or just buy a air cooler?
Edit: Specs http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1I0sr

More about : upgrading computer thinking 290 290x

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November 22, 2013 11:14:46 PM

Hello there. I am also a Star Citizen. See you in the 'verse. Have you pledged yet?

On topic. I would keep the 7970 until the second generation of 20nm if you could. Or until it can no longer play Star Citizen.

For Air coolers I would recommend a Noctua air cooler over a water cooler, cause they are quieter have a great warranty, are made very well in (Austrian engineered and made in Taiwan), and they will never have the potential of leaking.
Either a NH-U12S or NH-U14S
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=82801&vpn=NH-U12S&manu...
or
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=82802&vpn=NH-U14S&manu...

As to what else you need for your build, I need more details.
-Do you have memory? what kind and what speed and capacity? I would recommend 16GB (8gb X2 of Corsair, Kingston or Samsung memory) for Star Citizen (8GB in minimum)
-Cpu? Get an 8350 or 8320 if you don't have one. Steamroller could be here in the next 2 quarters I would guess, might be wrong.
-What kind of storage are you running? A 1TB hdd? DO you have a SSD? An SSD of 240gb or 480gb would be highly recomended (Crucial M500 or Samsung brand)
-What Motherboard are you running now? I would recommend an Asus 990FX Sabertoother rev 2.0 (I have one of these and its really nice) or get the Asus 990FX ROG Crosshair formula V-Z
-Case fans- Either Noctua case fans or Corsair fans, get the pressure optimized ones- cheapest place I have found for fans is NCIX.com

To sum it up, I need your current specifications to help you out.
Good choice on the Seasonic 750W power supply, you DO NOT need to change that out. (unless you are doing some wicked overclocking)

For vendors I would buy from http://us.ncix.com/ or http://www.newegg.com/
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November 23, 2013 10:54:52 AM

fixer762 said:
Hello there. I am also a Star Citizen. See you in the 'verse. Have you pledged yet?


Yes I've pledge for the 350r lightspeed and I'm hoping to get a retaliator.
My current specs http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1I0sr
Would the NH-U14S fit on my motherboard with my CORSAIR Vengeance ram?
By the way I added my specs link to the op
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November 23, 2013 12:54:58 PM

i guess depends how much you want to spend, 290 or 290x are both good. maybe wait till some models come out with non-reference coolers that work better, rather than modding it and losing your warranty (although i suppose if something went wrong you could always wack the stock cooler back on when you return it.)
the artic accellero seems to do a very good job, toms reviewed the 290 with it and it kept temps well down below the cards thermal limit, just make sure you have plenty of exhaust fans to remove all the hot air it leaves in your case.
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November 23, 2013 9:24:28 PM


failedpure said:
fixer762 said:
Hello there. I am also a Star Citizen. See you in the 'verse. Have you pledged yet?


Yes I've pledge for the 350r lightspeed and I'm hoping to get a retaliator.
My current specs http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1I0sr
Would the NH-U14S fit on my motherboard with my CORSAIR Vengeance ram?
By the way I added my specs link to the op


Cool. The retaliator is on sale atm. I have a Super hornet and a Freelancer.

On topic
No your high profile corsair memory modules will NOT fit under that Noctua Heatsink.
But that is ok, just don't put them under it- use the memory slots over. And buy shorter memory modules if you upgrade with two more memory sticks.

Corsair ram tallness -http://www.corsair.com/support/faq/memory/
52.2mm tall ram. Noctua spec is 41mm on the NH-U14S
http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=faqs&step=2&products...

Thank you for your specs.
The biggest upgrade I would get is a bigger SSD and if you have to have a better graphics card now, wait for the partner coolers from Asus, Msi and Sapphire ect. to be mounted on the 290 or 290X, don't get the reference cooler model cause it runs very hot.

If I was you I would stay with the 7970 sapphire card you have for a year or two more.
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November 23, 2013 9:36:00 PM

I'm with fixer762

I don't think Star Citizen will be released before the custom 290 and 290x. Wait for them.

If you sell your 7970 now to buy another component you will be left with no graphics card?

With extra cash get an SSD that you can install Star Citizen on, the fast read speed will help with all the loading. Or a cooler you can get an AIO (all in one) liquid cooler like the Corsair H100i and not worry about RAM clearance.
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