System bottleneck -gaming

[biggkenny]

Hi I was wondering what my gaming bottleneck would be.

i5 2500k @ 4.4ghz
msi z68 g43-g3
sapphire hd radeon 7970
8GB Kingston HyperX Genesis 1600mhz CL9
1TB SATAIII 7200rpm + caching SSD
750w 80 plus psu
Thermaltake Element T Case
Windows 8 64 bit

Obviously an SSD as my main drive would help but not for all games and really it'd be when loading them up only.

I expect my processor is holding me back on games like battlefield 3, although another 7970 would definitely help.

Was wondering what the cheapest upgrade would be too.


Thanks in advance

 

[andrewcarr]

Nothing is holding you back in the least bit. A bottleneck on this computer is nonexistent.

 

[biggkenny]

So there's nothing I could upgrade to get a little bit more performance?

I'm thinking that an aftermarket gpu cooler would reduce the noise and so probably be a wise decision.

 

[andrewcarr]

If it really bothers you then upgrade the cooler but the stock Sapphire ones are by no means bad.

 

[biggkenny]

Think the case is a bit of a hold back?

 

[andrewcarr]

Case is personal preference.

 

[biggkenny]

Cooling is very very important to me

 

[andrewcarr]

If you want to go crazy with a case you can always consider a CM HAF X case. Some of the best cooling available (but there are lost of other good ones out there).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119239

Here is another.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100

 

[biggkenny]

My computer just went up in smoke. I think my motherboard is dead and maybe my cpu

 

[andrewcarr]

Before the upgrade?
What is the PSU? That's the most common point of failure.

 

[biggkenny]

It was the motherboard that got incinerated. My cpu seems to have survived. I had a powercool 750w 80+. I have a corsair 80+ gold 850w on the way.

 

[andrewcarr]

Well that explains it. Your PSU went and took the motherboard with it. Anyways I'd bet that 80+ is fake.

What is your budget for a new one and do you want one that supports CF?

 

[biggkenny]

I suppose I now have a bottleneck in the system .

I bought this PSU already,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008O0RTFC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
it should be here tomorrow.

It's overkill but will mean I can do crossfire 7970 with my i5 (if it still works). right?

 

[andrewcarr]

No I meant for the motherboard. I already saw you had ordered a good PSU.

Sorry for the confusion. And yes you can do CF 7970's if your board supports it.

Something like this would be great.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Motherboard-PCI-Express-CrossFireX-Intelligent/dp/B007KZQEGC/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1361494362&sr=1-4

 

[biggkenny]

Ah I have an AsRock Extreme4 on the way

 

[andrewcarr]

Okay, that's another good board.