Whats My Bottleneck?

[teldara]

My build is slightly outdated and I want to update it a bit for new games coming out this fall. BF3, Skyrim, and etc.

So, I'm trying to balance my system a bit more.

My current build:

Processor: AMD Phenom II x3 720 @ 3.0Ghz (x4 with Core Unlock)
RAM: 8GB DDR3
Video Card: Radeon HD 5850
Motherboard: Asus M4A89GTD Pro/USB
PSU: OCZ Modular 650W
Monitors: I have two monitors, one at 1920x1080 and 1440x900 dual monitoring. I normally play my games at max resolution or 1600x900s if I there isn't a windowed full screen option.

I was thinking about getting a bulldozer, since my motherboard has beta bios for it from asus, but probably not worth it because its not native am3+ and things may be disabled.

Which should I upgrade if I could only upgrade one as a priority. Then make a list next

Thanks for helping, let me know if you need more information.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Current system looks balanced, I wouldn't say there is a bottleneck.

If your looking for more performance though, a graphics card upgrade is probably the way to go.

 

[teldara]

Current system looks balanced, I wouldn't say there is a bottleneck.

If your looking for more performance though, a graphics card upgrade is probably the way to go.

Thanks for the reply, any suggestion for Graphics card?

 

[WindowsDOS]

What's your resolution and price range?

 

[teldara]

What's your resolution and price range?

Monitors: I have two monitors, one at 1920x1080 and 1440x900 dual monitoring. I normally play my games at max resolution or 1600x900s if I there isn't a windowed full screen option.

My price range is about within 300.

 

[phamhlam]

Get a second 5850 if you can to xfire so you can play BF3 max res with better frame rate.

 

[teldara]

Get a second 5850 if you can to xfire so you can play BF3 max res with better frame rate.

Problem is that my PSU only has 2 PCI 8 pin slots and its already going into the 5850. Which would mean I have to get another PSU.

Edit: I'm having problems finding another 5850. Did they discontinue it or something? I can only find it on Amazon now.

 

[aevm]

Take a look here:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-6950-6970-review/22

There's a Sapphire HD 6970 at Newegg, for example, for $320 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102918

Or an eVGA GTX 570 for $325 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130622

That kind of upgrade would improve BF2 at 1920x1200 from 43 fps to 56 fps, according to that chart. I'm guessing 60 fps at 1920x1080, maybe with a bit of overclocking. The eVGA is OCd already, in fact.

I'm not sure I'd pay $300+ for this kind of improvement though. Maybe wait a little more...

 

[teldara]

Problem is that my PSU only has 2 PCI 8 pin slots and its already going into the 5850. Which would mean I have to get another PSU.

Edit: I'm having problems finding another 5850. Did they discontinue it or something? I can only find it on Amazon now.

Take a look here:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-6950-6970-review/22

There's a Sapphire HD 6970 at Newegg, for example, for $320 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102918

Or an eVGA GTX 570 for $325 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130622

That kind of upgrade would improve BF2 at 1920x1200 from 43 fps to 56 fps, according to that chart. I'm guessing 60 fps at 1920x1080, maybe with a bit of overclocking. The eVGA is OCd already, in fact.

I'm not sure I'd pay $300+ for this kind of improvement though. Maybe wait a little more...

I was thinking about the same. The 7xxx series might come out soon maybe Q1 Next year. So I might save for that instead.

I was hoping to get an 5850 CF, but I missed the gigantic pricedrops on Newegg when it was about 200. Now its deactivated and Amazon has them about 350+. At that price I could get a 6970.

Any other suggestions?

 

[lozz08]

Yeah I'd wait for 7000s.

5850 crossfire would microstutter like hell anyway. I had 6850s CF and it was very microstuttery.

One thing I'd definitely say is get a hyper 212+ cpu cooler and get your cpu to at least 3.5. good $30 upgrade.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Waiting for the 7xxx series might not be such a bad idea. An article on TOMs said we could expect to see them in December of this year.

Your current 650w PSU is enough to cover you for anything up to 6970 or GTX 570 or 7xxx series equivalent.