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SSD vs CPU upgrade

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  • SSD
  • World Of Warcraft
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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August 21, 2014 7:32:50 PM

My current build is 8GB RAM, 6950 GPU, FX 4170, 1TB 7200 RPM HD. It's used primarily for Photoshop Element 12 and WoW. I find the rendering RAW files to be rather slow and WoW gets a bit laggy in raid type situations. Would either adding a SSD or upgrading to a FX 8350 provide more bang for the buck? I've got just under $200 to spend. Thx!

More about : ssd cpu upgrade

August 21, 2014 7:37:59 PM

Most rendering is done by the GPU I'm pretty sure in Photoshop, correct me if wrong.
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August 21, 2014 7:43:28 PM

Add more RAM. It'll help with the photoshop. As for WoW, better CPu would be better.
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August 21, 2014 8:11:16 PM

SSD won't help either but a CPU upgrade will help gaming and possibly but not likely the rendering
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August 21, 2014 10:50:54 PM

Is your FX-4170 overclocked? Do you have a decent enough CPU cooler to do so if the answer is no (basically, not the stock one)? As far as an SSD goes - I can't imagine having a computer without one. It can really freshen up even a pokey PC. Even if it can't be quantified everything feels snappier.
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August 22, 2014 6:33:05 AM

Which motherboard?
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August 22, 2014 6:36:00 AM

I suggest upgrading both the SSD as well as RAM, or RAM only.
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August 22, 2014 6:41:13 AM

I have a Zalman CNPS990led cooler and a Gigabyte ga-970a-udp mobo. It's not OC'd.
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August 22, 2014 6:58:20 AM

An upgrade to a Core i5 or FX-8350 would matter a lot more than an SSD, but its also a lot more expensive. Photoshop does rely on a fast scratch disk, so an SSD may help somewhat.
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August 22, 2014 11:41:14 AM

I came across an interesting link, http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/optimize-performanc... that indicates that more RAM is much better than an SSD in terms of bang for the buck. They also indicated the 8 cores vs 6 cores wasn't really worth the additional cost. So, now I'm wondering if a FX-6300 and another 8 GB Ram would be the best compromise as opposed to just a FX-8350. Keep in mind I'm trying to balance Photoshop Elements performance with WoW performance.
*note- switching to Intel is not an option.
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