Phenom 965 GPU upgrade or a new system?

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010
I have the following system:

CPU: AMD Phenom x4 965
RAM: Kingston 8GB DDR3 1333MHz CAS 9
MOBO: Gigabyte 790GPT-UD3H
GPU: Sapphire 6870
PSU: Xigmatek NRP-MC651

It has served me very well over 2 yrs, and I've upgraded once before, from a x2 550 to a 965 first and a 4890 to this current 6870 a bit over a year past. I was thinking of building a new Ivy Bridge build, but should I just upgrade to a 7870, wait for Piledriver and carry the GPU over? Any bottlenecks?
 

smeg4brainsuk

Distinguished
Nov 16, 2011
115
0
18,690
Honestly? i see little to no reason for you to upgrade anytime soon, what do you use the system for? what resolution?

The GPU is rather good and it might be worth just Cross-firing it and saving yourself a bit of cash then going for a system overhaul next 1-2 years when newer and better tech is available because atm you have a very nice setup
 

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010
Only for gaming @ 1080p. I have a separate system for work. Nothing on this box but games and drivers. I'd prefer not to mess with Crossfire. I was thinking of using this system with a 7870 for at least another year.
 

smeg4brainsuk

Distinguished
Nov 16, 2011
115
0
18,690
At 1080p then yeah feel free to upgrade to a 7870 or GTX 680 (they are cheaper and better atm) as you will certainly notice a difference but wait and see what next year brings in terms of CPU's for a good system upgrade.
 

maui67

Distinguished
Jan 20, 2012
359
0
18,860


This is a nice setup, and agree with the other poster that it is not crying for an upgrade.
However, that being said....The HD 7870 would be a good upgrade. I don't believe you will see any bottlenecks with that CPU. Is it overclocked?

You hear a lot on these forums about bottlenecks these days, and it seems to me much of what is said is purely speculation. I am hard pressed to find any actual benchmark articles that support these bottleneck claims. Even my 2 cents is based on conjecture. I wish I had actual evidence for you. I did find this forum thread that touches on your question and might help you decide:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1236749/could-a-a-phenom-ii-x4-965-4ghz-push-a-7870
 

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010
I would overclock but I don't think I need it, and this mobo only has 4 phases anyway. I might give it a shot today though. I'll get the Sapphire 7870 GHz edition that is clocked up to 1050/5000 and build a fresh system when its required, probably towards the end of 2013.
 

smeg4brainsuk

Distinguished
Nov 16, 2011
115
0
18,690
Yeah as the poster above has said don't worry about bottle-necking.

First of all that CPU should handle it fine, Secondly you can overclock it happily and thirdly the bottle-necking would only ever hamper Bench test scores, you will physically rarely see it yourself unless you went for a old CPU and brand new GPU
 

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010
I've overclocked my 965 to 3.8GHz @ 1.4v and its solid. Ran 2hrs Prime95 then 2hrs of Black Ops and everything is good. So no bottleneck there. I'll up the GPU to a 7950 and overclock that too.