Help updating my computer with about 1300 $ - at least new GPU(s)

Eivind_1 · Dec 9, 2015

Hello guys

Build my first computer during summer 2014 and boy, time goes by

This is my computer specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K
Power supply: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU
Kingston DDR3 HyperX Beast 8GB
Motherboard: GA-Z87X-D3H
Chassis: Define R4 Black
SSD: 840 EVO Basic 250GB
Power Corsair CS650M 650W
GPU: ASUS RADEON R9 290 OC 4GB PCI-E HDMI/DVI/DP

I only want to maximize fps in games, cause right now I cant even run WOW on ultra all maxed out.

I get 8173 score in Fire Strike 1.1, so not much to brag about here. With these specs, shouldnt I get higher? Anything bottlenecking here?

Is running SLI GPUs the way to go or is it not that well optimized? Im probably going to play games like the Total War series and World of Warcraft, everything maxed out and solid fps.

Please post links to what kind of components you would recommend for my rig for a much better gaming experience (I also need a soundcard btw)

Thanks in advance

James Mason · Dec 9, 2015

SLI GPUs are a waste of time and money, you could get a GTX 980ti, which is about 50% stronger than your 290.
No reason to update your CPU or anything else really, except your PSU is kind of low quality, not really meant for overclocking/high end gaming rig.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($649.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.62 @ Mac Mall)
Total: $730.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 11:37 EST-0500

Why do you think you need a soundcard? only professional audio engineers really need them, or people with 7.1 speaker systems, though I believe you can also manage those with a single optical cable to the sub-woofer or whatever piece manages the rest.

WoW results for 980ti: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_980_Ti/28.html

zachattack748 · Dec 9, 2015

Like James said, all you really need to replace is the GPU and a 980ti would be perfect. Because your budget is 1300, you might as well get an i7 (haswell not skylake) for around $300

Eivind_1 · Dec 9, 2015

Thanks guys.

Whats wrong with my PSU btw? Im not really into oc.

Also, whats the fuzz about the new skylake? Not worth the price tag yet?

James Mason · Dec 9, 2015

Eivind_1 :

It's just kinda meh quality, for the power of your system. Corsair generally makes fairly bad PSUs except for their like 900W+ ones.

Skylake isn't a huge performance improvement over haswell, it's mainly just more power efficient. They aren't really more expensive either, it's just the added cost of a new motherboard as well makes it not worthwhile if you already have haswel.

You could get another exact same set of ram as you currently have for 16gbs, it would just make it easier to do multiple things on your system, or if you wanted to record gameplay.

Or instead of a new CPU, you can spend the other $500-600 on a really good monitor:

Like this 27" 1440p IPS monitor:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($649.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.62 @ Mac Mall)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($349.00 @ B&H)
Total: $1079.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 13:12 EST-0500

Eivind_1 · Dec 9, 2015

There are so many kinds of 980 ti cards, why should I go for the MSI one?

Theres for instance this:
EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB SC
PCI-Express 3.0, "SuperClocked", DL-DVI-I, HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort

So will this be a little bit better than the MSI one since this is "SuperClocked" or is it just a gimmick since I can just do that with the MSI one also?

James Mason · Dec 10, 2015

Yeah, it's just a gimmick, the main reason to go with the MSI is because it has the best air cooler out of all the 980ti's. And that means you can easily just "level-it-up" to match the EVGA's clock.

Eivind_1 · Dec 10, 2015

Already orded the MSI one, cant wait

Air cooling is a big thing for me too .
Thanks

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