System upgrade options AMD

SAgeMoonblade · Sep 14, 2014

I am having some issues with my current computer build and I was hoping this community might be able to offer some good advice. The games I have been getting into have been taxing my old computer to a nearly unplayable level.I have been thinking my short coming must either be the ram amount or the GPU I am using. What would be a good upgrade for this setup? I know some of you will hate my motherboard choice but I would like to keep that unless it is causing a huge issue.. I am currently running:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 [3.4 ghz]
Motherboard: Biostar TA990FXE
RAM: G-Skill Ripjaw 2000 mhz {8 gigs}
GPU; ATI Radeon HD 5850 {1 ghz]
PSU: Corsair 800w gold
Primary drive: Mushkin ssd sata

RazerZ · Sep 14, 2014

It's the GPU. I'd suggest a R9 270/270x.

I don't know if that card is in your budget or not though.

SAgeMoonblade · Sep 14, 2014

Should I run the R9 270/270x as a crossfire or single? I had been looking at the 290x cards but not real sure if I need that much.

Gam3r01 · Sep 14, 2014

Ram is good, processor is still good (To me at least).
What is your budget? I would look into something like the 212 EVO and OC to 4GHz or more, and pick up a 760. That would be the absolute best card that your processor wont bottleneck.

RazerZ · Sep 14, 2014

SAgeMoonblade :

I wouldn't recommend 270x crossfire, just get either one 270 or one more powerful graphics card. What settings are you looking to play your games around? And which games do you plan to play?

SAgeMoonblade · Sep 14, 2014

Budget is about $600

Gam3r01 · Sep 14, 2014

I wouldnt go past the 760 or 270x. Any higher card, or Xfire/SLI setup would become a bottleneck on that processor. (Speaking from a 965 and 760 in my rig)

RazerZ · Sep 14, 2014

SAgeMoonblade :

I would get a 270x, R9 280, or a GTX 760. That should be a decent step up from the 5850. This option would cost $170-$225 after rebates.

If you need a high end gaming rig, upgrade the CPU to a FX 8320, Add a cpu cooler ( 212 EVO is a decent budget cooler, just make sure it can fit in your case), and get a R9 290. this option would come to around $550 after rebates.

emdea22 · Sep 14, 2014

Go nvidia. Drivers are easier for the cpu to handle. To explain it better - an nvidia card will perform better on a weak cpu than an equivalent amd card (unless you use mantle). A 760 is a little overpriced for what it is - i'd suggest 770 as its great value and for 1080p its not overkill considering latest games.

Gam3r01 · Sep 14, 2014

The 770 will have the same performance level as a 760 on that processor. (Speaking from experience)

RazerZ · Sep 14, 2014

emdea22 :

Where did you hear this from?

emdea22 · Sep 14, 2014

@RazerZ Teksyndicate or Linus did a test a while back and it turns out AMD gpus need a little bit more cpu juice for the drivers. So on an i5 there's no performance impact but on an Athlon/Phenom the nvidia cards gets better fps.

Don't get me wrong i'm anything but an nvidia fanboy as they pissed me off by only supporting new cards in drivers.

@Gam3r01

I have an athlon II with an r9 280x and at 1080p using 4xMSAA the 280x has problems in Archeage / BF4 using mantle / Crysis 3 (without AA)

I consider AA a must in some titles so considering a 280x is more or less equivalent to a 770 i'd say its not overkill unless you play at a lower resolution than 1080 without AA and like sub-60 fps dips

RazerZ · Sep 14, 2014

Do you mind linking me to the article? This is certainly news to me.

emdea22 · Sep 14, 2014

Go to youtube and search Teksyndicate and Linustechtips/ NCIXtechtips - the benchmarks should be there somewhere

Gam3r01 · Sep 14, 2014

I stopped reading that at youtube, hardly the place to go to for reviews and benches.

RazerZ · Sep 14, 2014

emdea22 :

And go through hundreds of their videos, no thanks lol...

emdea22 · Sep 14, 2014

Gam3r01 :

Might be true for most channels but as long as you don't take that information as is, its still useful. Btw if anyone has doubts about this go test an nvidia card vs an equivalent amd card on a weak athlon and see what happens.

Gam3r01 · Sep 14, 2014

I have, and saw no difference.

emdea22 · Sep 14, 2014

Gam3r01 :

Great. Lets move along...

Beezy · Sep 14, 2014

emdea22 :

eh, turns out its true, or at least was true. I cant imagine it making a big difference though

emdea22 · Sep 14, 2014

You know what?! Think what the hell you want! People with more experience than me have tested it and if you want to argue with someone - argue with them. Its way to late for me to argue stuff on toms instead of actually helping the OP.

@Beezy - nice edit - turns out i wasn't "spouting nonsense"; and no, it doesn't make a big difference but every bit helps.

System upgrade options AMD

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