Before I make these changes...

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msattam

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Okay, so I'm about to upgrade my desktop (that I bought about three years ago) specifically for gaming.

Here is the desktop: http://www.samsclub.com/sams/hp-pavilion-p7-desktop-amd-qc-a10-5700-2tb-27-display/prod6950030.ip

Hello! I'm ready to make my purchases. I wanted to confirm them with you all first, though.

The upgrades I'm making to it are: GPU, PSU, monitor, keyboard, mouse.

After months of research, here are my decisions...

GPU: R9 290X Tri-X OC
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11226-00-40G/dp/B00HJOKARI/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1425631709&sr=1-3&keywords=r9+290x

I plan to take the side of my case off and have a fan blowing into it. I'll make sure to dust the inside of the case regularly.

PSU: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045L5LGI/?tag=pcpapi-20

Monitor: ASUS VG248QE 24" LED Backlit LCD Monitor
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917361-REG/asus_vg248qe_24_1ms_1080p_3d.html

Keyboard: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid OR Logitech G710+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129006&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=3987229&SID=skim92X590208Xbc222f5999464c82730ece391c1e20b4&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-Skimlinks

http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?1336671_g10e

Mouse: Logitech G502 OR Zowie EC1-A OR Roccat Kone Pure Optical

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Proteus-Tunable-Customizable-910-004074/dp/B00IRHE892?SubscriptionId=AKIAIEF7KZG4SSIJ7QQA&tag=toms_shopping_rev-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00IRHE892&ascsubtag=[site|tguus[cat|[art|[pid|B00IRHE892[tid|14265726041889829[bbc|LEPRIX

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MOS-EC1A&c=FR&pid=cb5f9d82f6e5215af3648014fe6b555146741e1cf0c56b4e6bb0d0a806ce54cd&gclid=CNDP8YO3ucQCFSYYwwodvF4A6g

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1000258&gclid=CImkyb3UwsQCFUPJtAod22IAaA&Q=&is=REG&A=details



The plan is to wait until around Christmas time for my next set of upgrades. At that time, I want to upgrade my motherboard, CPU, and probably my case. Until then, I should be fine with my CPU for the games I want to play (Battlefield Hardline & CS:GO on the side). Also, DX12 is supposed to help out my CPU a lot (http://community.amd.com/community/amd-blogs/amd-gaming/blog/2015/03/02/amd-accelerated-processing-units-the-world-s-best-socs-for-directx-12) It really isn't that bad of a CPU, just could be better. Don't think it's worth upgrading now. These other upgrades will do more for me.


I just want to verify that I'm not completely missing something before I make this huge purchase. Thank you!

BTW: These are all upgrades I'm making for the long haul! My next CPU, Mobo, Case will all be significant upgrades hopefully. I want to be set for quite some time by the time 2016 starts. These are the components I feel I'll be comfortable with over the long-run.
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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I think I'd probably switch the 290x for an nVidia 970. It would draw less power, generate less heat(allow you to keep the side of your case on), and generally give better performance.

After that, I'd swap out the case, then wait till the ddr4 mainstream boards and Cpu's start arriving. Cost ya a bit more, but that is the direction things are heading, and as you have said, the cpu you have now won't really hurt you too much for the games you want to play.
 
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msattam

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Really? Much of the benchmarks I've seen have had the 290x performing better than the gtx 970 (although I heard that the gtx 970 has better features for DX12?). Also, does the fact that I have an amd cpu make a difference in how much better I would do with an amd gpu instead of a nvidia gpu? If you really do think the 970 is a better card, what PSU would you suggest? I'm guessing it would be unnecessary to have a 650W PSU.
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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It wouldn't matter which brand of Cpu you have for which brand of video card you go with. The 970 does better at 1080p gaming, while the 290x closes the gap for 4k gaming. With your Cpu, I'm guessing that 4k isn't going to happen for a while, and wouldn't happen anyways with only one video card. You could drop down on the Psu wattage, but I wouldn't bother. 650w is a good amount to start a build with, or to upgrade an existing build. Depending on prices, I'd also look up to 750w Psu's, because sometimes you can find them for cheaper than 650w's. Use this: pcpartpicker.com For example, if I was buying a Psu and Gpu right now, for what you have said I'd buy this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $379.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-29 14:34 EDT-0400

Don't like dealing with MiR's, but I haven't had any that weren't paid so far. Pretty nice Psu for the price, and I really like Gigabyte's video cards.
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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Oct 3, 2012
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Check this out: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Colorful/iGame_GTX_970/6.html It's a site that reviews cards with the exact same hardware. Don't worry about the particular brand of 970 being reviewed, just look at the generic "970" results and compare that with the generic 290x results @ 1080p. Of course, factory overclocks will affect results, but vanilla cards vs. each other should give you a better idea of general performance @ 1080p.
 
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