Processor/GPU bottleneck

[matt314]

I am looking to build a ~1500$ system and I'm looking for advice concerning CPU and GPU. I can afford to get an i5-750, a UD4P mobo and a 5870 or I could go for lesser CPU and mobo (like a AMD 955 and a UD4 mobo) and get a 5970.
Is this a good tradeoff? I am simply looking to get the best gaming performance for my 1500$, and I am wondering if making cuts elsewhere in my system in order to get a 5970 is worth it.

Thanks!

 

[MadAdmiral]

Get the 5970. The GPU matters more for gaming. However, it's not necessary to drop the i5 for it. Here's a full build with the i5 and 5970 for under $1,500:

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $375
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $120
GPU: HD 5970 $700
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 750W $85 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $80 after rebate
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $22
HSF (if OC): Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35 (with free card reader)

Total: $1,472

 

[geofelt]

Unless you are gaming at 2560 x 1600 resolution, more than a 5870 is probably not needed.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Unless you don't want to upgrade in the next 5-6 years. Then the 5970 is very useful.

 

[matt314]

Thanks for the replies guys! I should've mentioned i meant 1500 canadian dollars!
I think ill go for the 5970 as I dont really want to upgrade for a while. What performance difference would I see in games between a i3/i5/955 when using a 5970? I'm playing with a 1920x1200 monitor.
Also, is the power supply you mentioned reliable? I have been looking almost exclusively at corsairs because I've heard they were good, but if i can save myself some money i'll get that one.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Not much in terms of actual gaming performance, but the i3/i5 dual cores are a very poor choice. The best choices to save money would be the X4 955 and a Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 (saves $90) or X3 425 and a Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 board (saves $225) or the X4 955 and the UD3 (saves $135).

I only recommend reliable PSUs. The only brands I'd recommend/use are Corsair, Antec, Silverstone and SeaSonic.

 

[matt314]

Best answer selected by matt314.

 

[matt314]

Awesome, thanks for your help MadAdmiral. Much appreciated!

 

[matt314]

I have one last question if you dont mind. I read many reviews raving about the UD4P, but what am I gaining between it and boards in the 130$ or even 100$ range? I think its noteworthy to say that I am not looking to overclock and I only have one PCI component to add (a wifi card). Is there any benefit for me to get a "better" mobo?

 

[MadAdmiral]

The UD4P is a worse board than the Asus. The UD4P has this problem (as do all Gigabyte P55 boards) of disabling USB 3/SATA III speeds when you add a second card in Crossfire. For a little more, you get both capabilities without losing anything.

 

[matt314]

Oh, I see. Thats not very good! What mobo would you recommend for an AM3 socket if all I need is usb3, 1 pci slot and of course room for the 5970?

 

[MadAdmiral]

Either the Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 (no Crossfire) or Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 (with Crossfire).

 

[matt314]

Great, I assume I dont need crossfire to run the 5970?If the only difference is that pcix slot, I think ill go for the UD3! Thanks for your help again!

 

[Alvin Smith]

REMEMBER !!

That 5970 is the longest card on the planet (right?) and may have physical fit probs with some (many?) cases.

Before purchase, validate your chassis/case to ensure the GPU will clear the drive cage!

= Alvin = (The Admiral is *always* right! )

 

[Yoshinoya]

out of interest, why isn't anybody advising a 890GX board? seems to me that its life span will be better then the 790 boards? are there any trade offs?

 

[MadAdmiral]

What you're paying extra for with an 890 board is the ability to drop in a six core CPU. That sounds nice, but any AM3 board will accept a six core CPU after a BIOS update. Also, there is no point in having a six core CPU for the majority of users. So because the 890 boards don't really give you anything extra for the additional cost, they're not a good buy.

 

[Alvin Smith]

$140 for the Gigabyte 890GX suggested ain't all that bad ...

But a 790 chipset can get you a really good board for just under $100 and, they ARE essentially the same thing as an 890 ... the differences are few and small.

= Al =