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First upgrades to gaming build...

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  • Components
  • Motherboards
  • AMD
  • Build
  • Graphics
  • CPUs
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August 22, 2014 7:09:26 AM

So, I've finished my own build doing it from scratch. But now I have some real questions about what to upgrade first on my fiance's desktop. Primarily, should I get her a new CPU and motherboard, or should I get her a new GPU. Right now she avarages 45fps on medium settings at 1080p, but she would really like to crank it up to high settings since she sees me playing on mine. Right now I am torn between and i5 or a 6-core AMD, please no fan bias, she won't be doing any video compression or fancy like that just gaming. Would it really be worth 250 more dollars for an i5 and compatible motherboard (I refuse to buy cheap or sketchy motherboards). Also I'm thinking of getting her a 2GB GTX 760. Her current build is as follows...
AMD AM2+ quad core 2.4Ghz (don't remember the model off hand)
4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800
Ancient motherboard, but does the job.
EVGA 550ti 1GB
600W Bronze EVGA PSU
NZXT Phantom 410 (First upgrade already taken care of, shes a bit of a fashion gamer, more looks than power)

What are your thoughts, reccomendations?

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August 22, 2014 7:24:37 AM

Xibyth said:
So, I've finished my own build doing it from scratch. But now I have some real questions about what to upgrade first on my fiance's desktop. Primarily, should I get her a new CPU and motherboard, or should I get her a new GPU. Right now she avarages 45fps on medium settings at 1080p, but she would really like to crank it up to high settings since she sees me playing on mine. Right now I am torn between and i5 or a 6-core AMD, please no fan bias, she won't be doing any video compression or fancy like that just gaming. Would it really be worth 250 more dollars for an i5 and compatible motherboard (I refuse to buy cheap or sketchy motherboards). Also I'm thinking of getting her a 2GB GTX 760. Her current build is as follows...
AMD AM2+ quad core 2.4Ghz (don't remember the model off hand)
4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800
Ancient motherboard, but does the job.
EVGA 550ti 1GB
600W Bronze EVGA PSU
NZXT Phantom 410 (First upgrade already taken care of, shes a bit of a fashion gamer, more looks than power)

What are your thoughts, reccomendations?


I would go new cpu/mobo/ram first thing. Grab her an AM3+ socket board and an AMD FX 6300...you can get great deals on them. Combine that with 8GB of DDR3 1600Mhz RAM and she'll be much better off. As budget allows, you can update the graphics to the 760 you mentioned.

If youre close to a MicroCenter, def get your CPU/Mobo there: http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.as...

Given what parts she's using now, a new AMD platform is going to make a huge difference...I wouldnt personally spend the extra money on an intel set if it took funds from a graphics update. GL friend!
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August 22, 2014 7:32:01 AM

Well the i5 will definately crush a FX 6 series in gaming hands down. Even the FX 8 series feels difficult to match i5's performance.

Here's why:

Spoiler
Most games today require solid single core performance and Intel is way ahead of AMD in terms of single core performance. Also, most games today can work properly with a 2 core CPU (i3s are pretty good for decent gaming) and will probably not require more than 4 cores in the distant future. Also, the i5 OCs to 4.5GHz (the K versions, excellent for gaming) with most budget coolers like EVO 212 and are hence a good long time investment.


So IMO, its worth it to get spend $250 extra on an i5 and a good MoBo. i5 2500K users are probably laughing at today's builders, who opt for FX 6 core, with their 4.2GHz OCed CPUs.

That said, there's one serious finance issue you'll want to know, your RAM is DDR2 and is not compatible with DDR3 and hence you'll need to get new RAM as well. Your PSU and Case are good to support this upgrade.

Also, you may want to reconsider your decision of going for 760 when you get a R9 280 (a better GPU) for a cheaper price:
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($199.99 @ NCIX US)

Here's why:

Spoiler
This R9 280 got more TMUs, more clock speed, better memory bus, better bandwidth, more shader units, more ROPs, a good enough cooler and a lesser price than GTX 760.


Hope this helps :) 
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August 22, 2014 7:34:43 AM

Get a i5 4690k with a z97 board and get a sli maybe?
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August 22, 2014 7:38:58 AM

Thanks for the suggestion on the i5, but I stay away from AMD GPU's like they are a desease. I have had way to many issues with them over the years. As for the memory I wouldn't be much of a tech if I didn't have an insane amount of DDR3 RAM laying around waiting for a build. No I have that covered. Now that we have the CPU issue covered do you agree that the CPU and Motherboard upgrade first or will a GPU upgrade offer more in gaming. She is only going to have to wait a month for the second upgrade.
MeteorsRaining said:
Well the i5 will definately crush a FX 6 series in gaming hands down. Even the FX 8 series feels difficult to match i5's performance.

Here's why:

Spoiler
Most games today require solid single core performance and Intel is way ahead of AMD in terms of single core performance. Also, most games today can work properly with a 2 core CPU (i3s are pretty good for decent gaming) and will probably not require more than 4 cores in the distant future. Also, the i5 OCs to 4.5GHz (the K versions, excellent for gaming) with most budget coolers like EVO 212 and are hence a good long time investment.


So IMO, its worth it to get spend $250 extra on an i5 and a good MoBo. i5 2500K users are probably laughing at today's builders, who opt for FX 6 core, with their 4.2GHz OCed CPUs.

That said, there's one serious finance issue you'll want to know, your RAM is DDR2 and is not compatible with DDR3 and hence you'll need to get new RAM as well. Your PSU and Case are good to support this upgrade.

Also, you may want to reconsider your decision of going for 760 when you get a R9 280 (a better GPU) for a cheaper price:
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($199.99 @ NCIX US)

Here's why:

Spoiler
This R9 280 got more TMUs, more clock speed, better memory bus, better bandwidth, more shader units, more ROPs, a good enough cooler and a lesser price than GTX 760.


Hope this helps :) 


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August 22, 2014 7:44:16 AM

I'd upgrade the CPU and MoBo first as your current CPU might not allow the GTX 760 to perform optimally. A GTX 550 Ti will perform good for the time being with i5 and suitable MoBo. And as the time period b/w upgrades is not huge, but rather quick, so it shouldn't bother your fiance much.
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August 22, 2014 7:55:24 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, totally forgot to consider this motherboard only has a gen 1 PCIE, Looks like cpu and mobo are coming first.
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August 22, 2014 7:56:05 AM

All the best :) 
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