Looking to update my computer from 2013 - What's my bottle neck? i7-3770K / ASRock Z77 Extreme4 / SAPPHIRE HD 7970

Doostur

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2008
82
0
18,640
Hey everyone. I think its time I give my computer an update or even build another one. I spent around $1200 for my system back in February 2013 thanks to some amazing deals at micro center. I have been out of the computer hardware loop for years so no clue on what's new etc.

Anyways I just got back into gaming and noticed that games that I once ran "Ultra or High" settings in are now running at "Fair" in order to run smoothly with a good frame rate.

Is there one or two components I should upgrade? Or is it time to give this computer to my little cousin and build another one? Is there one or two items bottle necking me that I should update to get another year or two out of it? The details of my computer are as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155
Video Card: SAPPHIRE HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB GDDR5 VAPOR-X
Storage: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Power Supply: FirePower ModXStream Pro 700W
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

26rcw.jpg
 
Solution
Are you joking?

That system is still top end for another good few years. I can understand if your still on an old socket or something but that is still up there.

If you really want to make sure you have the best system all I could recommend is upgrading your GPU to a GTX 970 as you'd see a reasonable performance increase. (Not a huge one but still as the 7970 is still a good card).

Why do you have a evo cooler but no overclock? I'd definately crank your CPU to 4.2 which is easily doable with that cooler. Even still, wouldn't cause a massive difference but give you that tiny bit more head room on CPU intensive tasks/gaming.

Matt Dobe

Reputable
Jan 20, 2015
621
0
5,360
Are you joking?

That system is still top end for another good few years. I can understand if your still on an old socket or something but that is still up there.

If you really want to make sure you have the best system all I could recommend is upgrading your GPU to a GTX 970 as you'd see a reasonable performance increase. (Not a huge one but still as the 7970 is still a good card).

Why do you have a evo cooler but no overclock? I'd definately crank your CPU to 4.2 which is easily doable with that cooler. Even still, wouldn't cause a massive difference but give you that tiny bit more head room on CPU intensive tasks/gaming.
 
Solution

Doostur

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2008
82
0
18,640
Matt Dobe

Thanks for the reply. I use to have my setup over clocked but not sure why I went back to stock.

Not joking at all. Seems like all the games I use to play are kicking my computers ass. Everything is updated too. Nothing running while playing games.

I am only running one monitor.
 

Doostur

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2008
82
0
18,640


Well I'm not looking to upgrade anything if I dont need to. Like I said I logged into a few games which seemed to kick my computers butt. I assumed my computer was getting out dated.

Im going to do some over clocking and see what I can get out of my setup. There should be some good established settings now. Back when I built my setup people were still experimenting.

 
just for fun you should uninstall the 14.xx driver and try the 13.12 for my 7000 card I find it seems to do the better job ??? the newer driver really only helps the newer -r- cards [opinion]

have you tried heaven or valley bench to see how it compares ??
[always read the drivers release notes to insure the install/ uninstall steps of followed correctly]
 

Doostur

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2008
82
0
18,640
I updated my system by ordering another 7970 Vapor X 3gb hd. Newegg had them on sale for $190 on ebay which is a steal. I'll crossfire them. By my calculations it will probably be about 30% faster than a GTX 980 at stock settings.
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator


I believe you will be needing a better PSU, for your setup. I looked into doing CF, when I ran my HD 7970, and I am pretty sure my 750w PSU was cutting it dangerously close. Put your system togethering in pcpartpicker, and it will give you a wattage rating.
 

Doostur

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2008
82
0
18,640


Ya I purchased the HX850 Corsair for $110 free shipping from newegg after $30 rebate. Modular and Gold rated. Cant beat it.


 

Doostur

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2008
82
0
18,640


I wonder how long I was running like that. I got busy with work and only used my computer for basic surfing over the last year so I wouldn't have really noticed it.

Before I built this computer in Feb 2013, it seemed home built systems were always outdated after a few years so naturally I thought it was time to upgrade. I'm actually shocked how my computer performs. Overclocked it has amazing results, better than some of the newer stuff today. The only thing my computer sorta lacks in is the video card. So to address that I purchased another 7970 HD 3GB Vapor X for $190 and an HX850 power supply for $110. Spending $300 in 2 years... i'll take it all day long. It puts me around 30% faster than a GTX 980 which would have cost me $600 alone. Or SLI GTX 970 which are around 375 each... so $750 + 110 for a power supply. Seemed like a no brainer considering I can sell my power supply in there now to make a few bucks back.
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator


That is definitely a nice PSU.