Need upgrade advice

[big mike1123]

Here are my current specs:

Motherboard: P55-UD3L
RAM: 2 x 2GB 1600
GPU: XFX 5770 1GB
CPU: i5 750 2.66GHZ
Case: Antec P182



Running at 1920 x 1080, I'm slightly disappointed with my performance. My Furmark scores seem low(and hot):

Game performance seems to be slightly lower than what other people are reporting with similar setups, but maybe its just my resolution or something.


I'm having to turn down some of the eye candy in games like Rift and and Bad Company 2. If I want more performance, should I go ahead and upgrade? Or is there likely something wrong with my system that I should fix? What upgrade would give me the best value? Gaming is my number 1 priority. Should I just wait until new technology comes out? Maybe replace my motherboard to have a more future proof system?


Sorry for asking so many questions at once.

 

[genghiskron]

youre gonna want to upgrade the graphics card to see better gaming performance. I would suggest trying to sell the 5770 (ebay, craigslist, tomshardware classifieds) and replacing it with an hd6950 or gtx560ti.

 

[sadams04]

The first thing I would do is add an aftermarket CPU cooler and overclock that i5-750. You aren't in bad shape and I would suspect the clock speed of 2.66GHz is holding you back a little bit. A GPU upgrade could benefit you now and in a future build, but the HD 5770 is respectable. Past that I wouldn't spend any more money on that system, rather save and buy a new rig down the road.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-750-overclock,2438.html

 

[big mike1123]

If I were to buy something like a 6950 would I be able to use it in a newer system I build down the road, or would that be ill-advised?


I suppose I'll buy a cooler and OC my i5.

 

[mgf derp]

Yes you will be able to use the 6950 down the road. And as stated I do believe your graphics is holding you back. Also consider a GTX 560Ti for the same price as the 6950. At stock settings the 6950 outperforms the 560Ti but the 560Ti overclock very well and then will outperform the 6950

 

[striker410]

I'm gonna play devil's advocate with Sadams and say it's the CPU's fault. If you can OC it to 3Ghz or so you should see a significant boost in framerates. A 5770 isn't meant for 1080p and up, but it should do ok.

 

[big mike1123]

I should have stated earlier. The CPU is already over clocked a little. It's at 2900GHZ right now and I see it shoot up to 3.4GHZ when playing games. (I have 2 monitors)

 

[mgf derp]

Are you playing games on both? That could be quite the work load for a 5770.

 

[striker410]

Wow. And yeah with 2 monitors at 1080p it's FOR SURE that 5770.

Lol, important facts bro.

The other option I see is grab another 5770 for xfire, they scale pretty well.

 

[big mike1123]

No, I'm only gaming at 1920 x 1080 and the 2nd monitor is used for stuff like iTunes and system monitoring.

 

[mgf derp]

Striker his motherboard only has one Pci-e slot, so no crossfire. Could sell the 5770 and grab a 6870/GTX 460 for around the same as you would have paid for a second 5770 after you sell the one you own.

 

[striker410]

Striker his motherboard only has one Pci-e slot, so no crossfire. Could sell the 5770 and grab a 6870/GTX 460 for around the same as you would have paid for a second 5770 after you sell the one you own.

Actually, it DOES have a second PCI-e slot and IS crossfire compatible.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128406

 

[mgf derp]

Darn my eyes it ninja'd in there. But the second slot is only x4 which is proven to hamper performance of a second card quite a bit so I still recommend upgrading to a single better graphics card.

 

[big mike1123]

Alright, so I'm thinking this:

Buy a cooler, OC i5 to 4.0GHZ
Possibly get a 6950, and reuse it a new build down the road.


Thanks for your help.

 

[DJRWolf]

I don't think a 5000 series GeForce card will meet min system requirements for current games. I think they require at least the 8000 series and up cards for GeForce. But with current prices I would suggest something like a 450 or higher GeForce.

Here is one that should work well for a long time and is only $140 after mail in rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133326

 

[mgf derp]

Hope it works out for you. Sounds like a good start for better performance.

 

[striker410]

Not to drag it out, but I think 5770 crossfire is the cheapest/best option.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/08/25/gtx_480_sli_pcie_bandwidth_perf_x16x16_vs_x4x4/
As you can see, the performance difference is pretty minimal, even with WAY more powerful cards like the 480's. I think that adding another 5770 is the way to go.

 

[big mike1123]

Not to drag it out, but I think 5770 crossfire is the cheapest/best option.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/08/25/gtx_480_sli_pcie_bandwidth_perf_x16x16_vs_x4x4/
As you can see, the performance difference is pretty minimal, even with WAY more powerful cards like the 480's. I think that adding another 5770 is the way to go.

Yeah but what about heat? My card gets up to 77 C when playing some games.

 

[striker410]

Yeah but what about heat? My card gets up to 77 C when playing some games.

Yes that's the only issue.

However, the other PCI-e slot is spaced away from the first one, giving it some room to breath.

I will acknowledge that the single card solution is the more elegant one, but from a raw performance/price standpoint it's hard to recommend a 6870 over 2 5770's.

But since your case isn't very well ventilated, a single card might be the only option.

 

[big mike1123]

Best answer selected by big mike1123.

 

[DJRWolf]

One thing I always consider is how problems can happen if you switch between ATI and Nvidia drivers. That is why I stick to Nvidia cards until they have a non-backwards compatible slot change like they did with AGP to PCI express. I feel it just prevents problems with the drivers from either have both at the same time or when uninstalled it may leave bits that cause problems that are hard to iron out.

Just one way to avoid possible problems when upgrading.

 

[striker410]

Best answer selected by big mike1123.

n
nThanks for best answer, but I think Derp deserved it more.
n
nOut of curiosity, what did you decide to go with?

 

[mgf derp]

You delete the drivers from Nvidia/AMD before you install the new AMD/Nvidia card and you wont have a problem

 

[genghiskron]

These benchmarks will allow you to view the performance differences between the 6950, 6870, and crossfired 5770s at a similar resolution. Keep in mind these benchmarks are done with an x16/x16 mobo, and not an x16/x4:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5770-review-test/14
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5770-review-test/14

I realize big mike probably is no longer looking at this thread.

 

[big mike1123]

Thanks for best answer, but I think Derp deserved it more.

Out of curiosity, what did you decide to go with?

I wasn't sure...sorry Derp!




I just ordered a Cooler Master Hyper 212 so I can OC my i5. I think I'm going to get a 6950 in a little bit once I get that cash.