Help Me Decide On An Upgrade For Gaming/Streaming Rig

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Shlutka

Shlutka

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Aug 1, 2014
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Currently, my PC (used to game and stream at the same time) is ok I guess. New games are coming out, and I'd like to be prepared.

I'm running at 1920 x 1080 @ 144hz, and I'm not going to upgrade to any higher resolutions until they become necessary.

Here are my PC specs, all I need to know is what the best thing for me to upgrade is, but hey, maybe my rig will be fine?

P.S I'm not looking to spend $900 on something. I'm 14, my budget isn't very great. So If I don't need it, don't list it please. Thanks in advance!

Motherboard: Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 Revision 4
CPU: FX-8320 @ 4.22 GHZ (1.42500v)
CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO (push pull config)
GPU: Sapphire TRI-X R9 290 @ stock (Able to get it to 1120 core @ stock voltage)
RAM: 2 x 4gb G.Skill Ripjaw 1600mhz.
Storage: 1 x 240gb Samsung SSD Plus (Operating System) 1 x 1tb Western Digital Blue 7200rpm (Storage/Games)
PSU: Rosewill Photon 750w 80+ Gold Rating

 
Solution
geofelt
Your rig looks decent and balanced.
Do nothing until you find a game that does not play well enough for you.

Then
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely...
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,298
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Your rig looks decent and balanced.
Do nothing until you find a game that does not play well enough for you.

Then
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
 
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Solution
G

gondo

Distinguished
Apr 20, 2004
1,754
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Rig looks good. Wait for the AMD ZEN cpu and see how that is. In the meantime maybe keep an eye out for a nice monitor on black Friday or Boxing Day sales. A 27" 1440P is nice.

Maybe get a nice gaming keyboard/mouse if you don't already have. Otherwise you're good to go for now.

Another thing that makes a great difference in gaming is sound. Not sure what you're using but I like external DACs with a solid set of headphones or monitors.

Also with DirectX 12 games will be less CPU dependent. You may get more life out of that AMD FX than you think.

 
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