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How should I upgrade my computer?

Tags:
  • GPUs
  • Graphics
  • Motherboards
  • PCI Express
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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July 24, 2014 5:31:40 AM

It all starts with this: I want to Crossfire. Sadly, my motherboard has two PCI-E 2.0 slots: x16 and x4. After doing some research, I'll have hardly any performance boost with using the x4 slot for a second graphics card.

Anyway, I want a motherboard that has two x16 PCI-E slots (2.0 is fine, but I'd prefer 3.0). The thing is, I'm wondering if I should also upgrade to an Intel CPU for better performance (check specs below). I'm looking to spend no more than $300 for Mobo + CPU.

Specs:
VS-228H-P 1080p monitor
Carbide 500R (the side fan doesn't work anymore, since the fan controller shorted and it started burning)
Sapphire R9 270X OC Edition 2GB
AMD FX-8350 @4.0GHz
Seasonic SSR-650RM
Kingston HyperX Blu 2x4GB 1600Mhz
Asus M5A97 R2.0

Also, should I be concerned about a second graphics card getting too hot (aka, use a cooling system besides case fans)?

More about : upgrade computer

July 24, 2014 6:04:32 AM

you can get an asus sabertooth 990fx r2.0, its a PCI-E 2.0, its ok for a price range of $170 dollars in amazon or ebay. also try to get a good graphics card from AMD, they say it has better crossfire capabilities than nvidia.
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July 24, 2014 6:05:04 AM

If you are only willing to spend 300 then you may not want to bother with the Intel switch. You'd really want to switch to a 4690k and then you'd probably be looking at another 100 bucks at least for an entry z97 motherboard which would put you closer to 350. While it would work out better in the long run since the i5 is a much better processor overall I'm not so sure it's worth 350 bucks to switch.

It might make more sense just to get a fairly cheap motherboard that has the slots you need and get an SSD to make things load nice and quick and let that machine tide you over for a few years since it's still a pretty high end machine anyway.
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July 24, 2014 6:23:11 AM

Do you want to get an overclockable CPU or not? You could get a 4590 and a 100 dollar motherboard if you don't, if you do though, it's not gonna fit in a 300$ budget.
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July 24, 2014 6:54:50 AM

I don't think a switch to Intel is worth it. Yes, you may get better gaming performance, but it's all relative. Does an increase from 60 fps to 70 fps really matter?

As far as Crossfire goes, bear in mind that two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots can offer speeds far in excess of what two R9 270Xs can muster. On that basis, you could easily go for PCIe x8 and save yourself a good chunk of cash.
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July 24, 2014 4:23:25 PM

hanser30 said:
you can get an asus sabertooth 990fx r2.0, its a PCI-E 2.0, its ok for a price range of $170 dollars in amazon or ebay. also try to get a good graphics card from AMD, they say it has better crossfire capabilities than nvidia.
I have an AMD graphics card already.
That motherboard seems nice, but I'm not so sure about it since it has mixed reviews. Any other AM3+/Intel motherboard suggestions?

Edit: Sorry, I didn't see the other responses.
@bicycle Yeah, that's true. I was thinking that I would Crossfire for the next gen of graphics cards, then upgrade to a 280X or 290X once the gen beyond that is released, so I was preparing for that ;) 

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July 28, 2014 12:54:47 AM

cyrofault said:
hanser30 said:
you can get an asus sabertooth 990fx r2.0, its a PCI-E 2.0, its ok for a price range of $170 dollars in amazon or ebay. also try to get a good graphics card from AMD, they say it has better crossfire capabilities than nvidia.
I have an AMD graphics card already.
That motherboard seems nice, but I'm not so sure about it since it has mixed reviews. Any other AM3+/Intel motherboard suggestions?

Edit: Sorry, I didn't see the other responses.
@bicycle Yeah, that's true. I was thinking that I would Crossfire for the next gen of graphics cards, then upgrade to a 280X or 290X once the gen beyond that is released, so I was preparing for that ;) 



Sounds good, an R9 270X in Crossfire is a nice little setup for now before moving to a more powerful single card. AMD drivers have matured very nicely and Crossfire has much better support than it used to.
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