Want to upgrade my computer

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thompsonh

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Aug 13, 2014
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Hi everyone,

I just bought a Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 290 Tri-X, but as I expected, my computer didn't use all the potential of the video card. Here's the config of my machine:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-880GMA-USB3
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 960T
RAM: 8Gb 1333Mhz
PSU: Coolermaster 650W GX Bronze

My knowledge of computer hardware is very basic, so I came here hoping for your help. I want to use all of my video card (or at least most of) potential and I don't know what to do, a lot of people tell me my CPU is bottlenecking my video card. I was told that I could keep my motherboard, update the BIOS, buy a FX8350 and upgrade the heatsink, or spend more money, buy another motherboard and a Haswell i5 processor. Some are telling me to change my PSU, others say that I don't have to. Well, I heard so many things that I decided to hear from you here at tom's Hardware.
In your opinion, what parts should I buy to upgrade my machine properly and enjoy my video card? I have some money available for this upgrade, so please consider that my budget isn't that tight.

Every help is appreciated

Thanks in advance
 
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Intel i5-4670K and an Asus Z97 Series motherboard would go hand in hand with the GPU in my opinion. ;)
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AquinoX

AquinoX

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Aug 14, 2014
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I would say Upgrade you CPU to at least a FX-6300. If you want to overclock the FX-6300 get a Heatsink.

And yes the CPU is a bottleneck your GPU.
You dont need to upgrade you PSU because it would do fine with a FX-6300.
 
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Jovan93

Jovan93

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try looking at 8320-8350 FX and ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 you will probably going to be forced changing your PSU couse the R9 290 is power hungry like 8320-8350FX is try looking at intel cpu and mobo combo then you will be able to run all with that PSU
 
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thompsonh

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Well, personally I don't have a preference between AMD or Intel. I believe AMD would be cheaper if I could keep my motherboard, but if I have to change it, I could buy any of them
 
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lightcloud

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Jul 20, 2014
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Intel i5-4670K and an Asus Z97 Series motherboard would go hand in hand with the GPU in my opinion. ;)
 
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Jovan93

Jovan93

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i agree then he is not going to need to change PSU i whould go also with i5 and if he has good cooler he can OC that i5 a little bit to get even better performance in games
 
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thompsonh

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Thank you for the fast response!
 
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Adroid

Adroid

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Honestly, in my opinion it's about time to upgrade the whole rig. Overclocked i5 systems are faster than anything AMD offers at the moment, albeit a little expensive. If you need to save money go with the AMD 6300. If you can afford the extra 100$ or so, go for a 4690K and Z97 motherboard and overclock it.

To utilize the R9 290 I would recommend:

i5 4690K
Cooler master 212 EVO, Corsair h100i, or noctua DH-14/15
Z97 motherboard (I like Gigabyte but Asus, ASRock, or MSI are solid picks also)
8 GB DDR3 1600mhz minimum
Seasonic / XFX or EVGA Superflower made PSU.
 
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thompsonh

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Thank you, I'll look for the cooling solution you suggested! I'll also test my PSU, if it doesn't perform as expected I'll look for the PSU's you suggested also
 
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thompsonh

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Thanks a lot! I'll go for Intel then!
 
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