CPU + GPU Upgrade Paths

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Techsnologic

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Oct 11, 2015
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Hi guys,

Bit of background before getting to the initial question:
I've built my own PC roughly 4 years ago now with the below specs:
Motherboard: Asus M4A87TD EVO
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T @ 2.8GHz
GPU: HIS HD 6790 IceQ X Turbo 1GB GDDR5
RAM: 8GB DDR3
PSU: (Unsure of make as it was a replacement from an old work friend) 650W

As it stands, i'd like to perform an upgrade on my GPU, however i'm looking into either the AMD 290x or the new AMD 300 series. I have a very big feeling that my CPU would bottleneck the new GPU. What would be my best upgrade paths to be able to use the new 300 series GPU?

I'm looking at the 390x mostly so keep that in mind.

If it's easier for a whole new PC build, then what would be the best GPU my current CPU could handle without one bottlenecking the other?

Thanks in advance!
 
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clutchc
If you can't even open the side panel for 5 minutes to examine the PSU, how do you ever see yourself building a new PC?

Your board has the obsolete AM3 socket. You won't find any new CPUs for it very easily (if at all) anymore. And even the best OC'ed CPU available for it would be a bottleneck with anything more than a GTX 960 or possibly a R9-380. If you decide to build new, I would recommend going Intel for the best gaming experience. Or at the very least, an AM3+ board/FX-8350 system.

You can use any card your PSU will support with the system you have now. But CPU-limited games (and most online multiplayer gaming) will still be a struggle with that CPU. And you will not be getting the full benefit of the R9-290X/390 card...
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clutchc

clutchc

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Easy way to determine the make/model of the PSU would be to open the PC case and look.
Yes, either of those cards will be severely bottlenecked by the 2.8GHz Phenom II x6. Better choice would be an R9-270X or GTX 950 if you want to avoid CPU bottleneck. That would make a noticeable improvement over the HD-6790.

But as you surmise, the better option is to build a new PC; an Intel CPU-based unit.
 
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Techsnologic

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Opening the PC is a danger game for me 90% of the time as i have a little 6 and 4 year old and they like to play with things they see me doing. If they see me with an open PC, i know my 4 year old would come along with sweets and just drop some in!
With a new build being the best option, is there any particular CPU + Mobo you may recommend for the 300 series?

Alternatively, with the Mobo i currently have, any idea if there is any form of upgrade i can do on CPU to support anything higher spec than a R9-270X?

Thanks for the reply and any further replies!

 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Apr 22, 2009
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If you can't even open the side panel for 5 minutes to examine the PSU, how do you ever see yourself building a new PC?

Your board has the obsolete AM3 socket. You won't find any new CPUs for it very easily (if at all) anymore. And even the best OC'ed CPU available for it would be a bottleneck with anything more than a GTX 960 or possibly a R9-380. If you decide to build new, I would recommend going Intel for the best gaming experience. Or at the very least, an AM3+ board/FX-8350 system.

You can use any card your PSU will support with the system you have now. But CPU-limited games (and most online multiplayer gaming) will still be a struggle with that CPU. And you will not be getting the full benefit of the R9-290X/390 card. Below is an example of what I mean. It is my Firestrike score between one of the fastest CPUs you can get for the AM3 socket OC'ed to 4.0 GHz compared to the i5-4690K at stock speed, both with a R9-290X.
http://www.3dmark.com/compare/fs/5683948/fs/4284220
 
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Techsnologic

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Oct 11, 2015
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All of my PC parts go to my parents for delivery, so i'd be doing my build there as they still have my bedroom empty so me and my dad have been using it for projects and building things together.

I wasn't even aware that AM3 was obsolete now, i'm quite shocked at that. For my next build i was planning on an i7 4790k 4GHz CPU. Mixing this with (most likely) a 1000W PSU and as previously stated, a 300 series AMD (most probable would be the R9-390X). I would more than likely also go with an Asus ROG Maximus VII Hero for the mobo.

In your own opinion, how does that sound for a build?
 
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