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Looking to Make a GPU-Heavy System Upgrade

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  • GPUs
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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September 30, 2014 10:24:55 AM

Hey, all you crazy Computernauts,
I need some upgrade advice. I'd like for some more knowledgeable people than I to comment on cooling, power, motherboard, or bottleneck concerns. Most of what I'm doing will load almost the entire workload onto the GPU, so I'll probably end up spending most of my budget there. I also plan on keeping this GPU for the next 4-6 years, and upgrading CPU/ MB more frequently. I just need my system to run games at roughly the same framerate/ resolution as current video game consoles, so that i can at least play future releases. I don't care so much about framerate or settings. Any performance in CUDA-accelerated apps will be nice.

My current system: http://

Here's what I'm thinking it'll look like after upgrading: http://


Approximate Purchase Date: CPU in next 2 weeks, GPU in November (possibly waiting for price drops/ GTX 960)

Budget Range: 350-450 USD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming @ 1080p, Blender, Folding At Home

Parts to Upgrade: CPU, GPU

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon, Newegg, Micro Center

Location: Detroit, MI

Parts Preferences: Intel (for MB compatibility) and nVidia (for CUDA core utilization)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Why I'm Upgrading: I've stuck with my stopgap CPU/GPU for a year now, and would like to move up. Also, I regretted buying an AMD card when I started using Blender (but it's fine for games).

Thanks for any and all help! Ya'll are the coolest.

More about : make gpu heavy system upgrade

September 30, 2014 10:58:30 AM

I am having trouble opening your first link. It just brings me to an empty pcpartpicker page.
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September 30, 2014 11:08:16 AM

jerryvaberry said:
I am having trouble opening your first link. It just brings me to an empty pcpartpicker page.


Sorry about that! Here it is: http://

Fixed both. Thank you for letting me know.
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September 30, 2014 11:13:38 AM

You mentioned microcenter. Have you seen this deal (below)? This is what I would do, and probably will do as I am looking to upgrade my cpu from a pentium as well. And I feel like a lot can change in a month or so in terms of gpu, so I wouldnt put any concrete plans in. Best option right now is the 970.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/432161/Core_i5-4590_...
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September 30, 2014 11:31:59 AM

jerryvaberry said:
You mentioned microcenter. Have you seen this deal (below)? This is what I would do, and probably will do as I am looking to upgrade my cpu from a pentium as well. And I feel like a lot can change in a month or so in terms of gpu, so I wouldnt put any concrete plans in. Best option right now is the 970.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/432161/Core_i5-4590_...


Wow, that does look pretty good. They also have an i3-4160 for $100. So my choice is to have $270 or $330 left to spend on graphics. I'm trying to budget carefully. Since they're all in the general price ballpark, would 760, 770, 960 and 970 all be good parts to look for in November-December?
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September 30, 2014 11:38:12 AM

The prime mediocre said:
jerryvaberry said:
You mentioned microcenter. Have you seen this deal (below)? This is what I would do, and probably will do as I am looking to upgrade my cpu from a pentium as well. And I feel like a lot can change in a month or so in terms of gpu, so I wouldnt put any concrete plans in. Best option right now is the 970.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/432161/Core_i5-4590_...


Wow, that does look pretty good. They also have an i3-4160 for $100. So my choice is to have $270 or $330 left to spend on graphics. I'm trying to budget carefully. Since they're all in the general price ballpark, would 760, 770, 960 and 970 all be good parts to look for in November-December?


Unless there is a price drop with the 760 and 770, they dont seem like fantastic deals. If you can't spring for a 970 (I dont know what is expected of the 960 right now). Then I would go for an r9 280x or 280. Those have more vram and offer similar or better performance for the price, if you can stomach going amd. But if you cant do 970 and really do not want to go amd, then the 760 is a better deal than the 770.

But this could change when we see 960 benchmarks and price.
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September 30, 2014 11:44:51 AM

jerryvaberry said:
The prime mediocre said:
jerryvaberry said:
You mentioned microcenter. Have you seen this deal (below)? This is what I would do, and probably will do as I am looking to upgrade my cpu from a pentium as well. And I feel like a lot can change in a month or so in terms of gpu, so I wouldnt put any concrete plans in. Best option right now is the 970.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/432161/Core_i5-4590_...


Wow, that does look pretty good. They also have an i3-4160 for $100. So my choice is to have $270 or $330 left to spend on graphics. I'm trying to budget carefully. Since they're all in the general price ballpark, would 760, 770, 960 and 970 all be good parts to look for in November-December?


Unless there is a price drop with the 760 and 770, they dont seem like fantastic deals. If you can't spring for a 970 (I dont know what is expected of the 960 right now). Then I would go for an r9 280x or 280. Those have more vram and offer similar or better performance for the price, if you can stomach going amd. But if you cant do 970 and really do not want to go amd, then the 760 is a better deal than the 770.


I really, really wish Blender Cycles worked on AMD cards. They're at just the right price for my budget.
I'll watch for sub-$200 760s and hope for a $250 960. Unless you think it's a good idea to go Core i3 - GTX 970.



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