Looking to upgrade computer for gaming

compaqguy · Feb 18, 2016

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JZn46h
I have this computer and looking to upgrade the graphics card and possibly the motherboard if need be. Ill probably be getting another stick of the same ram from a friend.
Im looking to spend at most $250,

First would you recommend buying another one of the same cards and running crossfire, buying a new graphics card or now motherboard and gpu because i want to use this as an editing station and gaming computer to play fallout 4 or at the very least cs go at 60 fps

Forever Oleg · Feb 18, 2016

No, no Crossfire (you cannot). Mobo is fine for now. The following upgrade will max out your system without bottlenecking (5800K is not a bad CPU/APU). Your next upgrade after this would definitely be going Intel+intel mobo.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $254.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-18 18:54 EST-0500

DaWheelo · Feb 18, 2016

If I were you, I would get the EVGA GeForce GTX 950:
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Cooling-Graphics-02G-P4-2951-KR/dp/B013WQCC8Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1454724958&sr=1-1&keywords=GeForce+GTX+950

I would also get a second hand hard drive. I am using a second hand one right now, its working perfectly, no problems.

compaqguy · Feb 18, 2016

Thank you so much for the quick reply. one question though is the power supply necessary because if not i would like to put the extra money saved towards a new monitor or maybe an ssd.
But if it is then ill just save up alittle longer

Forever Oleg · Feb 18, 2016

compaqguy :

It is highly recommended. That "Solid Gear" power supply you have is complete trash and is extremely low quality.

compaqguy · Feb 18, 2016

lol well thanks for being blunt with me. It was a computer i built in class, the teacher bought all the parts. But hey it was "free" lol. (I'll be paying for it in my tuition.)

DaWheelo · Feb 18, 2016

compaqguy :

Im using the Xilence 500w PSU. It has really good reviews, and I have had no problems whatsoever so far. They're also extremely quiet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xilence-RedWing-Series-Power-Supply/dp/B002ZO5LDU

You can probably get them cheaper than that wherever you live.

compaqguy · Feb 18, 2016

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Whisper-Graphics-02G-P4-2966-KR/dp/B00SC6HAS4
so i was looking at this and noticed the Super sc and superclocked versions.. What is the difference and would it be worth it to get the 4 gig version for a few extra tens?

Forever Oleg · Feb 18, 2016

No, 4GB is not worth it at least not for the 960. GTX 960 has a 128-bit bus so it cannot properly utilize more than 2GB VRAM.

compaqguy · Feb 18, 2016

OK one last question, would you recommend buying from Amazon without the warranty. Because I don’t really want to mess with the mail-in-rebate.

Forever Oleg · Feb 18, 2016

You don't have to mess with it.

Also, warranty may be available. Manufacturer's warranty SHOULD be available actually.

compaqguy · Feb 19, 2016

Forever Oleg :

a friend suggested getting a r280x. what would be your opinion on this

Forever Oleg · Feb 19, 2016

compaqguy :

They are not even sold anymore.

You could look into R9 380 and R9 380X though - both are great cards and their 4GB versions are actually good but it is AMD. It is better in raw performance so you get some extra frames (especially with 380X) but many games are primarily optimized for NVIDIA so some games may not run as good with an AMD card.

In raw performance. R9 380 > GTX 960. R9 380X >>> 960.

compaqguy · Feb 19, 2016

Forever Oleg :

compaqguy :

They are not even sold anymore.

You could look into R9 380 and R9 380X though - both are great cards and their 4GB versions are actually good but it is AMD. It is better in raw performance so you get some extra frames (especially with 380X) but many games are primarily optimized for NVIDIA so some games may not run as good with an AMD card.

In raw performance. R9 380 > GTX 960. R9 380X >>> 960.

Back to a previous statement u made, do you think that card would leave my cpu as a bottleneck.
Im planning on overclocking my cpu to around 4-4.5 ghz

Forever Oleg · Feb 19, 2016

compaqguy :

Forever Oleg :

Back to a previous statement u made, do you think that card would leave my cpu as a bottleneck.
Im planning on overclocking my cpu to around 4-4.5 ghz

No, no bottleneck.

compaqguy · Feb 20, 2016

Forever Oleg :

compaqguy :

No, no bottleneck.

ok i am stuck between three choices
the gigabyte r9 380x http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017WMD1VI/ref=psdc_284822_t2_B017WMD1Z4
the msi r9 380 http://www.amazon.com/MSI-R9-380-GAMING-4G/dp/B00ZGF0VGC
and the sapphire nitro r9 380 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LE95TK/ref=psdc_284822_t1_B017WMD8ZM

Forever Oleg · Feb 20, 2016

compaqguy :

Forever Oleg :

ok i am stuck between three choices
the gigabyte r9 380x http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017WMD1VI/ref=psdc_284822_t2_B017WMD1Z4
the msi r9 380 http://www.amazon.com/MSI-R9-380-GAMING-4G/dp/B00ZGF0VGC
and the sapphire nitro r9 380 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LE95TK/ref=psdc_284822_t1_B017WMD8ZM

If you can pay for it, go for 380X: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017WMD1VI/ref=psdc_284822_t2_B017WMD1Z4

compaqguy · Feb 21, 2016

one last thing and you can close this thread
Would it be worth extra $20 to go with the sapphire r9 380x or the gigabyte. I've been reading that the sapphire has the best cooling and its memory is overclocked.

Ill probably overclock my GPU alittle too.

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DVI-I-DL-DVI-D-Graphics-11250-01-20G/dp/B017WMD8ZM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Forever Oleg · Feb 21, 2016

Sapphire Radeon NITRO R9 380X was the same price as Gigabyte before. Now that NITRO was raised in price, the Gigabyte one is the best bang for the buck.

Looking to upgrade computer for gaming

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