Time to upgrade

[K1ash3r]

Hello, my specs are as follows

AMD 955@3.7ghz
Gygabyte MA790XT-UD4P
XFX XXX 4870 1gb
OCZ Platinum 4gb DDR3
PC P&C 750W
Xigmatek Dark Knight
Antec 300

I want to be able to play for example Battlefield 3 on ultra/high settings @ 1980x1020 resolution

I was thinking of getting the 7850 but I'm not 100% sure so that's where I need help.

ALSO

This is the wrong section but the audio section is like dead so I also need headphones/headset. Budget for those is about 100pounds (UK)
I will use them for Music/Games
I dont have a separate or pro sound card so I dont want these new headphones to be bottle necked by my motherboard soundcard.
I was thinking of headphones/headsets from Sennheiser since I heard they are a good company, so any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for everything.

 

[maxh22]

Hello, my specs are as follows

AMD 955@3.7ghz
Gygabyte MA790XT-UD4P
XFX XXX 4870 1gb
OCZ Platinum 4gb DDR3
PC P&C 750W
Xigmatek Dark Knight
Antec 300

I want to be able to play for example Battlefield 3 on ultra/high settings @ 1980x1020 resolution

I was thinking of getting the 7850 but I'm not 100% sure so that's where I need help.

ALSO

This is the wrong section but the audio section is like dead so I also need headphones/headset. Budget for those is about 100pounds (UK)
I will use them for Music/Games
I dont have a separate or pro sound card so I dont want these new headphones to be bottle necked by my motherboard soundcard.
I was thinking of headphones/headsets from Sennheiser since I heard they are a good company, so any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for everything.

The 7850 is a good gpu.

I have the Senhesier hd600 headphones which are way above your budget, bu they are fantastic!

 

[K1ash3r]

The 7850 is a good gpu.

I have the Senhesier hd600 headphones which are way above your budget, bu they are fantastic!

Thanks for the quick reply, do you think the 7850 will allow me to play bf3 on max/ultra @ 1980x1020
and
Yup, I'm sure those 250-300pound headphones are godlike but they are way out of my budget =(

 

[coozie7]

Do n' play BF3 so I can't comment from experience, but you have a decent CPU and I know that game can be very demanding at higher settings so I'd suggest upping things towards the 7950/GTX670.
I'm using Senheiser 415 'phones, fairly cheap and more than good enough for onboard audio, BTW.

 

[K1ash3r]

Do n' play BF3 so I can't comment from experience, but you have a decent CPU and I know that game can be very demanding at higher settings so I'd suggest upping things towards the 7950/GTX670.
I'm using Senheiser 415 'phones, fairly cheap and more than good enough for onboard audio, BTW.

Ahh 7950, its what I wanted to write originally, guess I made a typo =P. My budget for GPU is about 200-250pounds so yea I think ill go with 7950.
I cant seem to find 415's but basically what I'm looking for is a best model of Senheiser headset or headphones for music/games for 100pounds

 

[geofelt]

Are you plying BF3 multiplayer, or single?
For single, your upgrade will be a gpu upgrade.
If it is multiplayer, then your upgrade may be to a stronger cpu first.

 

[K1ash3r]

Are you plying BF3 multiplayer, or single?
For single, your upgrade will be a gpu upgrade.
If it is multiplayer, then your upgrade may be to a stronger cpu first.

Multiplayer ofcourse and I figured my CPU with 7950 should be able to run the game on max/ultra at 1980x1020

 

[geofelt]

Multiplayer ofcourse and I figured my CPU with 7950 should be able to run the game on max/ultra at 1980x1020

There are few solid benchmarks of BF3 multiplayer.

I might suggest a couple of tests to help sort things out in your situation.

) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

 

[K1ash3r]

There are few solid benchmarks of BF3 multiplayer.

I might suggest a couple of tests to help sort things out in your situation.

) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

Thanks for that but If I was to upgrade either my CPU OR GPU, the obvious choice would be GPU and maybe CPU later, correct?

 

[geofelt]

Thanks for that but If I was to upgrade either my CPU OR GPU, the obvious choice would be GPU and maybe CPU later, correct?

I would agree with that plan.
Only if you were certain that the cpu was holding you back would you do the cpu first.
Even if the cpu is a limiter, the upgraded graphics card will serve you well in a new build.