Need help upgrading my old system

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CenturionFIN

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Jan 24, 2014
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Hi,
I'd like some opinions on upgrading my old system for some 2014 gaming (mainly ArmA3 and DCS:W), currently I have a
450W PSU (Chieftec, +5V 28A, +3,3V 30A, +12V1 14A, +12V2 15A, -12V 0,5A, +5VSB 2,5A)
CPU AMD Athlon X2 3Ghz
MOBO Asus M4A785TD-V EVO
RAM 8gb DDR3
GPU Radeon 5760 (I think) 1GB
HDD: 1x 128GB SSD and 1X 500GB HDD


So obviously a rather old system, both the CPU and GPU are huge bottlenecks right now. Since I don't want to use a huge amount of cash in one go I thought I'd first buy a new GPU like the Nvidia GTX660 or perhaps an Radeon R7. Since my PSU is decidedly weak I guess I will need to invest in a new 550-600W such, the total price for this first upgrade would preferably not be more than 250€... What do you recommend? I'd actually prefer Nvidia since a lot of games seems to have trouble with Radeons, esp. DCS:World. The performance gain of the R7 over the GTX660 seems to be rather marginal?

Then later on I would like to buy a new mobo/CPU and that is probably going to be an Intel i5 something or other, so that factors into the PSU choice now.

Opinions please?

Thanks!
 
Solution
NoOneLt
I think You don't really need new PSU, as it seems to have some more space for these cards. Of course safe is safe, but then don't waste money for 600W PSU, cards You look at could go perfectly with descent 500-550W PSU. Still according to them http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2013/11/13/amd-radeon-r9-270-review/9 even 760 max consumption under load is 300w (also check this tread GTx760 on 450w psu http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1931739/fsp-450w-sfx-psu-gtx-760.html)

Don't know really if You need a new PSU, maybe someone will give other opinion here.

Maybe plan an upgrade to new CPU mobo and then new PSU, try to run GTX760 with current PSU (have some money for the worst' case scenario if You would need a PSU), as...
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CenturionFIN

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Jan 24, 2014
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10,510
Also for refrence I can get the XFX AMD Radeon R9 270, 2GB GDDR5, 2xDVI/DP/HDMI, PCI-E 3.0 for 174€ and the MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Gaming, 2xDVI/HDMI/DP for 169€ so the prices are pretty similar.
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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Jul 1, 2013
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270 can't fight 760 (270 is somewhere on pair with 660Ti), but it beats 660. And You are ok with Your PSU for 270, and even if You upgrade mobo and CPU to i5 You still be OK with Your PSU
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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Jul 1, 2013
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No it is not.. crysis 3: 34 vs 44 frames avg. is not 5 fps... And 10 fps is a LOT! And we are talkking about 270 not some X :) http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2013/11/13/amd-radeon-r9-270-review/6 Same wit X BTW, don't be fanboy, trust raw data.

GTX 760 is not accidentally "best value for money" at the moment, even here at TomsHarware

But as i wrote above 270 beats 660 and that is OP question :) Also he should get some Mantle candy + freesync, if they will success
 
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CenturionFIN

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Jan 24, 2014
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Ok, thanks. I can get the AMD Radeon R9 270X, 2GB GDDR5, 2xDVI/DP/HDMI, PCI-E 3.0 for 189€, are you positive I dont need a new PSU or does the X need more power than the baseline 270? My PSU has some preatty weak output on the 12V compared to others I've been eyeing..
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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Your PSU have two 12V rails 350W on 12V total. According to them (http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2013/11/13/amd-radeon-r9-270-review/9) max system load is 260W only with 270X

But why are You not considering GTX 760 Then? What is the price difference with 270X in Your country?
 
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CenturionFIN

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Jan 24, 2014
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Cheapest 760 i found in Finland is 239,90 €, almost as much as a 270X AND a new 600W PSU. So maybe considering the 270X and a Silverstone 600W, Strider Essential, ATX 2.3, 80 Plus, total 254€. (NEW PSU just to play it safe)
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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Jul 1, 2013
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I think You don't really need new PSU, as it seems to have some more space for these cards. Of course safe is safe, but then don't waste money for 600W PSU, cards You look at could go perfectly with descent 500-550W PSU. Still according to them http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2013/11/13/amd-radeon-r9-270-review/9 even 760 max consumption under load is 300w (also check this tread GTx760 on 450w psu http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1931739/fsp-450w-sfx-psu-gtx-760.html)

Don't know really if You need a new PSU, maybe someone will give other opinion here.

Maybe plan an upgrade to new CPU mobo and then new PSU, try to run GTX760 with current PSU (have some money for the worst' case scenario if You would need a PSU), as You don't have powerful hardware, so it should do the job. Or go 270X+PSU if You wan't so :) But at the moment 760 is really best value for money at market.
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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Jul 1, 2013
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Be sure to keep an eye on Your PSU though if You decide to keep the old one, if it gets too hot or too noisy, or system will became unstable don't go too hard on it..

GL with upgrade! BTW what is you upgrade choice? Keep us informed :)
 
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CenturionFIN

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Jan 24, 2014
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Thanks for your input. After checking out some benchmarks the 760 does seem to be rather good even if a bit pricier. I'll go to the shop and see what they have to say, but I'm currently leaning towards just buying the GTX760 and trying my luck with my current PSU, cheaper than the 270+new PSU. If it's glitchy I'll just have to pick up a 500-600W one. Thanks for the speedy replies!
 
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CenturionFIN

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Jan 24, 2014
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The PSU problem kept me googling trying to read up. Now I have run (back in the day for a little while) a Geforce 8800GTS on this system, which has a power consumption of 28A and a 500W PSU minimum, and the GTX 760 has a very similar recommendation of GeForce GTX 760 - 30A and a 500W PSU minimum. My 450W PSU should supply 37,5A, so I guess it should be OK? The wattage is probably cutting it close tho.
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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Jul 1, 2013
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GTX760 whole (all components in the test, look at test set-up) system consumption something like 300W (http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2013/11/13/amd-radeon-r9-270-review/9) Yours supply provides 29A on 12V (CPU,GPU,MOBO demands 12V) so it is 350. Lets say other devices use 20W so YOu need 280 on 12V it is about 80% of what Your PSU can give, so it should be capable of driving Your setup (witch i believe should use less than 300W, because it is not as powerful as set-up in benchmark) so even some more space. Also Your PSU is more or less of normal brand, so it should do the job.

But yes You close to the edge, as PSU do degrade over time, so old one gives less power. I donno really :), You could try, i don't think it harm, but to be stone-calm You should get 500-550 PSU..

But if You choose 270X i don't think it needs new PSU at all.
 
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