Help me spend my gift cards!

[jchase1210]

I'm debating which part of my computer to upgrade first. I did this complete build in 2009. I use this for just gaming.


My Current Build:
Intel Q9550 CPU (quad core)
4 gig DDR2 ram
Gigabyte EP45-UD3 (socket 775)
750 watt PSU
1 TB hdd
ATI 5850 GPU

I'm debating upgrading and am not sure if I should do it now or later this year. Right now I'm either going to buy a new GPU (ATI 7970 or GTX 670 4gig). My other option is to just upgrade my CPU, Mobo, Ram, and a SSD.

I'm wondering if my current build with just adding the video card will be enough of a performance increase to warrant an upgrade. My Mobo obviously doesn't have a PCIE3 slot but the cards are backwards compatible with PCIE2. And if I do upgrade just the card for now will my CPU hold me back much.

The 5850 runs most games just fine. I play BF3, Skyrim, GW2 and a few others. But not at max. I only run games at 1920x1200 resolution and no 3D or multi- display.

I'm leaning towards the cpu/mobo/ram/ssd upgrade to put me in position to get a the new 8000 or 800 series cards...But I'm not playing games on Ultra (which is a bummer).

Sorry for the wall of text. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I don't think either one is a bad idea. You could live with lower settings for a few months and get a new system, which is probably a better option, considering some things in your pc would hold back a 7970.

 

[Yizhong]

Ehh, why an SSD? For gaming it won't really help, if thats what this rig is for. I agree with lt_dan_zsu, either is a good choice, but you could save you money without the SSD. Unless you really want an SSD, they are 3x faster, but 10x mor expensive per gigabyte.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

^ Yeah, that is true, I'm still not convinced that it is a good purchase. Everyone wants them now.

 

[jchase1210]

SSD is sexy!!!

I guess the real question is which future component is worth waiting for...The GPU or CPU/Mobo... I have about $500 to spend on either...

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I would say the one you should wait for is the gpu. If you are spending $500 on a new system beside gpu, there will be no gpu that will bottleneck for at least 2 years. So I would get a 3570k and a z77 mobo, 2x4gb ram, and an ssd if you want it. If you don't get the ssd, you will be able to get your gpu sooner.

 

[zdbc13]

Your CPU is actually not that bad. It's only 2 slots under the top tier. It's usually recommended to wait until you can upgrade 3 slots.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

Your GPU however is not so high:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Not too bad but a lot farther down.

I say wait for the next gen GPU or wait until you have $12-1500 for a complete revamp.