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Should I upgrade my CPU and MOBO first or my Video Card first?

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  • Components
  • Graphics Cards
  • CPUs
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Components
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a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
May 13, 2014 2:01:32 PM

Hi

I was planning an upgrade for my PC. The upgrade entailed me getting a new PSU due to my old one not being Haswell compatible. I am also going to get a new motherboard. A Z97X-SLI motherboard. And the CPU was going to be an i5 4690. Now I won't be able to dish out all of the cash at once so I was thinking about buying a GPU first; More specifically the R9 270X. So I was wondering what you would do?
Oh and I was going to reuse my RAM; It however has a clock speed of 800MHz will my mobo allow this?

Thanks.

More about : upgrade cpu mobo video card

May 13, 2014 2:11:04 PM

800 MHz memory looks like DDR2 in which case you wont be able use it.
What is your current MB, CPU and PSU ?
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a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
May 13, 2014 2:13:44 PM

No it's DDR3; I am not quite sure what part shows the frequency of the RAM in CPUid.
Current rig is:

i3 2120 @3.3GHz
4GB DDr3 @??MHz
XFX Pro core edition 550w.
Standard H61 mobo with 16x PCI e slot.
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May 13, 2014 2:22:41 PM

I don't know about your motherboard being compatible with that memory frequency but I would go with the r9 270x. I mean that's a pretty good CPU you got there. Also I don't think a haswell is necessary you could go with a ivy bridge or sandy bridge CPU. I mean, I know haswell is new and stuff but I'm pretty sure it's not THAT great or THAT good. You probably won't notice the difference.
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a b U Graphics card
a b à CPUs
a b V Motherboard
May 13, 2014 2:34:25 PM

It has to be DDR3-1333 for it to function with the new motherboard

But the i3 2120 supports both DDR3-1066/1333 and I have no idea how to check if it is DDR3 -1333 or DDR3 - 1066.

However there is no reason to get a SLI motherboard, it would be easier to get a r9 290x instead of running 2 r9 270x in crossfire.
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a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
May 14, 2014 7:49:47 AM

The only cheaper alternative would be the FX 8350; For that, I wouldn't have to upgrade my PSU. What would you do? I do plan on possibly an SLI or crossfire setup. or should I just buy the video card now and a new CPU; Mobo, PSU and RAM later?
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a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
May 14, 2014 7:57:10 AM

But honestly because I don't have compatible RAM; Should I just go with the R9 270X or GTX 760?
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Best solution

May 14, 2014 1:25:46 PM

I would rather wait little and go for R9 280x or GTX 770, those 2 should be fine for 1080p gaming and you will avoid issues with SLI/CF.
Next step would be getting new memory (8GB@1600Mhz) as it will be still compatible with your current PC and PSU afterwards.
And as last to go for new CPU and MB as money allows.

This way you get most of performance boost now and you can split whole upgrade cost to 2-5 smaller payments.



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