Upgrade advice GPU or CPU/MOBO

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areamike

areamike

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Dec 5, 2011
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I currently have the following:

ASUS M5A99X
AMD 8320@stock w/Coolermaster 240M
GSKILL 2133@1866
XFX 7850 GPU@stock
Ultra 650W PSU 39A on 12v rail
SSD

All my stuff runs at stock. I've never really got that much "into" overclocking although I know "how".

I'm wanting to upgrade my GPU basically because I have a whole in my pocket wanting to burn a little money before year-end.

My questions:
Would a GPU upgrade be warranted at all?
If so, would my CPU end up bottlenecking a higher end GPU than what I currently have?
Should I overclock the CPU and get a GPU to compliment it?

If a new GPU upgrade is recommended, what would it be?

Thanks.
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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Seriously consider overclocking the CPU, AMD cores don't perform as well as Intel ones and few games can actually use 8 cores (or threads), so the faster you get 'em running the better.
Something around the GTX770/R9 280X level should give things a nice boost, assuming a 1080 screen, if you're on a lower rez and don't intend to upgrade I'd leave the system as is and spend/invest your money elsewhere.
If you DO decide to upgrade/OC, do your system a big favour as well-get it a decent power supply, 39A on the 12V rail is not good for a 650Watt unit, I'd expect to see closer to 60A for that claimed output from a good maker, AND at least 80 Plus Bronze certification.
 
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areamike

areamike

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Thanks guys.

I already have planned a new PSU. I should have mentioned that.
I run a 27" 1080P 60hz monitor now.

I think I'll plan on:
Overclocking my CPU
Upgrading my PSU
Upgrading GPU to a GTX770 or 280X ?

Price-wise, would I be better off opting for the 970 version if I choose Nvidia chip?
 
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werberman

werberman

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Jun 17, 2014
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So it would seem, but bear in mind that they are still very new to the market - you're probably in for at least a few months of driver headaches if you opt for it.

 
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areamike

areamike

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Yes, the 970 looks appealing, based mainly on power consumption, however, performance-wise, for the same amount of money or actually less right now, I can get the 290X
290X is about 299.00 if on sale and rebate( I do rebates all the time and have always received them so they don't turn me off like others might be)
970 is over 330.00 still. As for drivers, I'm not too worried about that.

Also, I've narrowed by PSU search down a little to possibly one of these units. I don't know much about EVGA PSU's. I have used Corsair int he past and never had issues with them.

EVGA 850w : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438030&cm_re=EVGA_110-B2-0850-_-17-438-030-_-Product
69.99

EVGA 750w : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438025
59.99

CORSAIR 750w : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139051
69.99

I'm open to other recommendations in the 60-80 dollar range.
 
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