Hi guys, long time visitor, first time poster here.
I’m about to upgrade my system, this coming weekend. My current specs are:
CPU: AMD FX-4170
http://www.frys.com/product/7018861?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
Motherboard: GIGABYTE 970A-DS3 rev 3 – Bios updated to FD version
http://www.frys.com/product/7259643?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
GPU: Diamond Viper HD 7770 1 GB GDDR5 (R7 250X)
http://www.frys.com/product/7144692?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
RAM: Corsair DDR3-1600 / PC3-12800 8 GB (4 GB x 2)
http://www.frys.com/product/6410762?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
SSD: Samsung SSD 840 120 GB
http://www.frys.com/product/7395054?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
HDD: WD Green WD10EZRX 1Tb
http://www.frys.com/product/7186652?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
Optic Drive: LG DVD-RW
http://www.frys.com/product/8169695?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
PSU: Antec Earthwatts EA-750 (purchased more recently than rest of components from Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CPU Cooler: SilenX EFZ-100HA2 100mm
http://www.frys.com/product/6998437?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
Case: Enermax Ostrog
http://www.frys.com/product/7363704?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
Case Fans: Antec True Quiet Pro 120mm (x5, 2 Side, 2 top, 1 rear)
http://www.frys.com/product/7003311?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
Monitor: HP 2709m (3 years old but still working great)
http://www.amazon.com/HP-2709m-27-Inch-Diagonal-Monitor...
Approximate Purchase Date: This weekend (09/20/14)
Budget Range: $300-$350 before any rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Casual Gaming, Movies/Streaming Video, Web Surfing
Are you buying a monitor: No
Parts to Upgrade: CPU, Motherboard, if needed, GPU, if motherboard is not needed, CPU cooling, if needed
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: frys.com (Intent is to physically go to our local store)
http://www.frys.com
Location: Portland, OR USA
Parts Preferences: AMD and ATI for type, I prefer Gigabyte or Asus for brand when applicable, but am open to other brands as well, if highly recommended
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: My current system is extremely quiet and maintains temperatures well within safe ranges, I’d like to keep it that way. I primarily play Minecraft and random MMOs (currently Elder Scrolls Online, Planetside 2, and Everquest Landmark Beta,) as well as various other games less frequently (Rust, Thief)
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I am experiencing a considerable amount of lag while playing Landmark even on low settings (primarily due to it being un-optimized probably) and I’d prefer to run what other games I do play on higher graphic settings.
I have plans on going with an AMD 8350.
http://www.frys.com/product/7355914?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...
The first question I pose to you all would be, will the 8350 work with the 970A-DS3 rev. 3, or would it be advisable to purchase a different motherboard. I’ve read a couple prior posts here concerning the 970A-DS3, but they seem to have outdated or conflicting information. I don’t want to risk frying anything, with the CPU requiring 125w. Kind of a “Just because I *can* put the CPU in the motherboard, doesn’t necessarily mean I should” type situation. So does the rev. 3 version of this motherboard safely support 125w CPUs?
My second question is; if I can continue using my current mobo that allows me to instead upgrade my video card, if my budget justifies it. Meaning, if I am only going to be able to afford a minimal upgrade, I may as well hold off until I can afford a larger more meaningful upgrade. With my budget I can probably do a 260X 2 GB GPU. Will the performance increase be enough to justify the upgrade, or should l just stick with the current 7770/250X 1 GB.
Lastly, my current SilenX CPU cooler has done just fine with the FX-4170 but I worry that the upgraded FX-8350 may be to much for it. Does anyone have any insight on the performance of my cooler when used on a 125w CPU? Should I upgrade this as well?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice.