What should I upgrade first in this PC?

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malice7

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Oct 31, 2014
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Motherboard: ASUS H97-PLUS
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 (with Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO cooler)
VGA: ASUS R9 290X DirectCU II OC
RAM: 2x4GB Corsair Vengeance
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
HDD: WD 1TB Black
ODD: some LG, I don't use it much
PSU: FSP Raider 650W
Case: Gigabyte GZ-X7 (with only the two base 120mm fans included)

I've got this one-year-old PC. I sometimes experience slighter overheating issues in some games (like with AC Syndicate that I, for some reason, can't run on Ultra settings. GPU heats up to 88°C on Very High). I've been thinking perhaps a change of the case and better airflow could help rectify this situation. Giving a thought to the NZXT Source 340 case, I believe I could live without an ODD, if that's my best option (that I also like the looks of) in the $70 (and under) price range.

I'd like some suggestions, whether my idea on getting a new case would be good, and if so, my choice of case would be OK, or if you could suggest something else. Since I can't seem to just pop in some extra fans (not many possibilities on that one), this seems like the wisest option. Also, I'd love a beautifully lit up PC with some blue or red LED strips.

Also I've been thinking of upgrading to an i7, I've just started a separate thread on that. But I'm starting to think that for my hobby video-editing reasons, I should just stick with my current rig more or less.

Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
photonboy
1) Video editing:
More system memory (DDR3). At least 16GB total depending on what you are doing, preferably the same KIT of memory though you can mix if done correctly though no guarantees.

2) CPU?
Don't bother. The i7 would benefit, however you'd have to determine if it's worth your time. An i7-4790K due to its HT and overclock might save you 30% time on final render but is that worth the cost to you?

3) Case:
a) aesthetics is a pretty involved topic and personal preference. Really need a thread dedicated just to that.

b) GPU temp:
The biggest benefit to GPU temp would be to have a SIDE FAN (aside from water cooling etc, or obviously selling and buying a different card). However, modern AMD cards can run hot and not fail so not...
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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1) Video editing:
More system memory (DDR3). At least 16GB total depending on what you are doing, preferably the same KIT of memory though you can mix if done correctly though no guarantees.

2) CPU?
Don't bother. The i7 would benefit, however you'd have to determine if it's worth your time. An i7-4790K due to its HT and overclock might save you 30% time on final render but is that worth the cost to you?

3) Case:
a) aesthetics is a pretty involved topic and personal preference. Really need a thread dedicated just to that.

b) GPU temp:
The biggest benefit to GPU temp would be to have a SIDE FAN (aside from water cooling etc, or obviously selling and buying a different card). However, modern AMD cards can run hot and not fail so not sure if you necessarily NEED to reduce the temperature.

You will not gain much benefit in-game likely, and since the GPU is probably running at max temperature for AC Syndicate probably adding a side fan would gain at best 3% frame rate increase with the GPU temp ending up the SAME TEMPERATURE as it was before (since temp throttling is likely where the bottleneck is).

*EXPERIMENT:
Find a spare case fan or temporarily move one of the attached ones and hang it next to the graphics card. Leave case side off as it's easier. Do you gain much benefit to cooling and/or frame rate?

In my experience adding another fan near a GPU or CPU rarely gains much benefit provided the case has half decent air flow (at least one front and rear case fan).
 
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Solution
A

ahmyday

Honorable
Nov 16, 2013
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That is a hot card by default AMD themselves addressed that it may go as high as 95c and it would be safe, also that means there will be thermal throttling. take it with a grain of salt.

You can buy a new case, but that heat issue will still be there as this is a GPU related issue. the only way to fix that would be to upgrade your GPU. but that is still a nice card for the time being, try lowering some AA/Shadows/Textures a bit. AC titles are notorious for the poor optimization on PC. so it might just be something to do with the game.
 
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