Planning to update my PC

[madscientist24]

I currently have the following components

Case: LanCool DragonLord PC-K62

Processor: Intel Core i7 930

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 5870

RAM: Corsair XMS3 6Gb DDR3 1600 PC3 12800

Motherboard: ASRock X58 Extreme

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB

I'm thinking of giving it an update as I've had this rig since 2010 untouched. I am under the impression that everything is relatively ok, and that I only need to update the graphics card. I am thinking of replacing it with:

HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7870

What do you think? Any suggestions. I am also considering an SSD just for the OS.

By the way, I do mostly intensive modeling applications and games. I figure games like Metro 2033 and Crysis 2/3 will kill my current setup....

 

[twelve25]

I think that is a pretty solid plan. I think everything else should be good for at least another product cycle. I new i7-3770 would be faster for your modeling, but you'd be looking at another $400+ to get there and I don't know if it is worth it yet.


7870 will be a great upgrade from the 5870.

 

[jakewat97]

Also maybe a little more ram, i always find numbers like 3 and 6gb in ram to look funny but thats just me. That cpu will last a decent bit longer as well as the mobo and PSU, which seems like an OTT psu for your current specs lol but good for many later upgrades. The 7870 is very good bang for buck and with the iceQ cooler it will run great.

 

[madscientist24]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll hold off on the upgrade some more. I realized that I haven't even tried overclocking my 5870. This old card still performs like a champ in some of the more modern games so I guess its still got life. Plays BF3 and The Witcher 2 with around 20-30 and 25-35 fps, respectively, with the graphics maxed out at 1920x1200 resolution.

I started thinking about upgrading when I started playing Metro 2033 and realized the 5870 may have met its match. 15-25 fps on max graphics. I guess I'll try overclocking it and I'll go for round 2... My card wont go down without a fight!

Also, I have never found a need for more than 6 gigs of RAM so far, so I'll probably stay with the same amount.

I appreciate the suggestions though.

 

[twelve25]

You can always just run lower resolutions, too. I'd rather run 1600x900 at high vs 1080p at medium.

 

[Guest]

i do not see if you have OC'd the i7-930.
Guide to Overclocking the Core I7 920 or 930 to 4.0ghz

that will get you very near what any cpu @ stock will do. since you are worried about crysis 3, don't screw around with a 7870 get at least a 670 or 7950 depending on the pricing you are looking at. even if you do overclock that 5870 that has served you well, the 1Gb of Vram will be holding you back.

 

[madscientist24]

Yea, I definitely need to OC my processor and my video card. Thanks for the guide. I also realize I will be limited with 1GB VRAM. But my card can still run most modern games on highest settings at 1920x1200 resolution no problem. Its the few exceptions like Crysis 3, Metro 2033, and Assassins Creed 3, etc. that I know my card wil cripple my card.

I figured that a 7870 upgrade was too expensive for the small performance increase. I thought the same thing, 7950 or better. But at the same time, thats too much $ for me so I'll just sit and ride with my card, and wait till the 8000 series comes out and hopefully drops the price on the 7000 series.

By the way, anyone know of a good 5870 OC guide?

 

[madscientist24]

Best answer selected by madscientist24.