Upgrade or buy a new system?

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hynostroza

Honorable
Jun 5, 2013
5
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10,510
Hello everyone.

My girlfriend and I built a HTPC roughly about 4 years ago, and we were under a budget so we got what we could afford at the time. And we are now debating if we should upgrade or build a new system. This system will go in our spare bedroom as an entertainment source. Ok so here is my current specs

Motherboard : Asus P7H55-M PRO
CPU: i3 Core LGA 1156 Clarkdale
Memory : 4g DDR3 Kingston
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5700

So far the blu-ray playback is good and I played some games via emulators with some stutter, I tried to play high end games and there is a lag on it so I just don't bother. But some programs cause some minor to major lag and we have some spare money to put into our system so I guess basically is should I stick with what I have or should upgrade or should I buy a newer system. I would like to start playing some games on my system, Call of duty, tomb raider, AC, etc.

If I was to buy a new system can you give me your professional opinions about 4k and if I even need it for our HTPC or games for that matter, or is it not even a big deal? Should I stay with Intel or should I lean towards AMD. And just a note we do use this computer pretty heavily. My girlfriend and I don't even notice sometimes that we have this computer on pretty much on 24/7 for like 5 days a week.

Thank you.
 
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G43 Gaming...
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boosted1g

Titan
Jun 12, 2013
14,846
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If you are wanting to game on it then just upgrading the GPU will not get you to the performance you want.

Intel i5 is better, but you cant beat the performance per $$ of the AMD fx cpus.
The fx-6300 will be bottlenecked by a gtx-760 or better gpu. The fx-8350 will handle any gpu on the market.

As far as 4k, I dont see 4k content being widely avialible for at least another 3 years. Hell most people are not viewing much content in 1080p still.
 
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Derza10

Dignified
Sep 7, 2012
3,585
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Personally I'd just get something like a GTX 760 and see if that is enough for you, and if not build a new computer and include the GTX 760 into that build. But I suspect you are going to need to also upgrade your CPU/Motherboard and maybe get another 4gb of ram. Maybe give us a budget to work with?
 
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Gamma2Tech

Gamma2Tech

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2013
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If you're on the computer constantly you would want an AMD CPU. Specifically, if you do moderate gaming (excluding BF4/Crysis 3) I'd recommend the A10-7850K as it's able to handle BF4 on medium settings for $200 without an independent GPU. Take note that it's for budget builds, but should last you 3-6 years if you decide to pick up an independent GPU. In all honesty, Intel is the better processor, but now that games are able to utilize more cores, AMD is ahead of the competition. If you have the money however, an i7-4770K would be the way to go for intense gaming.

4K Resolutions - Just a sharper image. It's not like 1080p (even 720p) make much of a difference. It'll just strain the GPU and you'll have a void in your pocket for a sharper image.

Hope this helps! If your current computer does support needs for now. Just stick with that and await for the arrival of newer components. DDR4 and higher bit architecture is right around the corner.

UPDATE: I'd recommend an AMD GPU for the support of the Mantle Drivers. Nvidia will not be supporting any sort of "Mantle Technology" in the future and they have no plans to as stated by the CEO. In my experience, even with the 8350, a 29fps boost (average) in BF4. Added up to 133fps average (uncapped). Try for the new R-Series.
 
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hynostroza

Honorable
Jun 5, 2013
5
0
10,510
My god I love all you guys! Your responses are so helpful and to derza10 my budget is under the 1k mark. Thank you so much everyone for your responses if I only could buy you guys all a beer! :)
 
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hans_pcguy

hans_pcguy

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Nov 13, 2010
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The old build is plenty good for htpc. Maybe get a bit better Graphics. Other than that you are wasting your money. Everyone else is trying to promote their "knowledge of builds" so dont listen to them.
 
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Derza10

Dignified
Sep 7, 2012
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Could have sworn my recommendation to him was to just upgrade his GPU and see if that was enough for his needs... Or was i not included in that "everyone" statement? Acting all high and mighty lol...
 
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AMDThunder

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Feb 18, 2006
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He did say he wanted to play games...
 
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hans_pcguy

hans_pcguy

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Nov 13, 2010
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No you were not included in the Everyone comment. Keep up the good work. May the 4th be with you. Peace.
 
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Derza10

Dignified
Sep 7, 2012
3,585
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like i said in my other post Upgrade the GPU first and see if you still have issues..I'd recommend something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130932

That will leave you about $700-$750 to upgrade the rest of the computer if it comes to that.
 
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hynostroza

Honorable
Jun 5, 2013
5
0
10,510
I did say I wanted to play higher end games, and I appreciate everyone's advice!! And I appreciate hans_pcguy with the advice of me saving $$$ :) I am already looking at newegg and tigerdirect for some deals. I would like to try AMD, the FX series seems pretty good. We are happy with our current system but again we are noticing some lagging in some programs and in games as well. Thank you everyone : )
 
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hans_pcguy

hans_pcguy

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Nov 13, 2010
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I checked this card out. VERY NICE, However the most I can pay for a Graphics card is $40. It's just against my principals to flush money down the toilet.
 
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Derza10

Dignified
Sep 7, 2012
3,585
1
15,460


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G43 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($111.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($499.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $946.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-05 17:42 EDT-0400)

Assuming you will keep your case/HDD/DVD rom and what not... (This is pretty much the best you can get for your budget...GTX 760 is probably all you need though.) Could also trade out the GTX 780 for the R9 290 or r9 290x if you wanted.
 
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