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Old Jul 28, 2012, 04:40 PM   #1
Jimmy2k9
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What should my next upgrade be?

Ok, so right now I have roughly $350 that I can sink into my rig but I can't make up my mind what to do. Its going to be at least a couple more months before I can afford anymore upgrades so I'm hoping to gain the most performance for my buck here.

So looking at my system specs, with $350 to spend and my build, what would you do?

My pc is used mostly for gaming on games like BF3, WoW, Diablo III, League of Legends.

Here are a few ideas I'd been kicking around...

Was looking at buying this cpu/mobo and cpu cooler for a total of $314
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0388577
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0387554
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0373900

Or perhaps going for a gpu upgrade, but then I'm not really sure what I could even get away with without my cpu bottlenecking or also having to upgrade my psu. If its not to obvious I'm not exactly a computer guru like most people on this site, but I'm learning.

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Old Jul 28, 2012, 09:31 PM   #2
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How much of a difference would I notice upgrading from a 6850 to this 7850?
XFX Double D FX-785A-CDFC Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-b...
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Old Jul 28, 2012, 09:37 PM   #3
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i recommend getting the hd7870 since it went down in price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0GHz%20Edition
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Old Jul 28, 2012, 10:18 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatal1ty39 View Post
i recommend getting the hd7870 since it went down in price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0GHz%20Edition

Do you think I'd need to upgrade my psu also in order to run that card?
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Old Jul 28, 2012, 10:19 PM   #5
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How about a nice SSD? The biggest bottleneck in overall system performance is the amount of time it takes to pull data from the HDD... Just a thought.
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Old Jul 28, 2012, 10:29 PM   #6
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minimum for the hd7870 is 500watt http://www.amd.com/us/products/deskt...on-7870.aspx#2
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Old Jul 28, 2012, 10:46 PM   #7
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Do you think I'd need to upgrade my psu also in order to run that card?
No. But I would stick with going the Ivy Bridge upgrade route. All the games you listed benefit from a faster/better CPU (BF3 especially for multiplayer) while the 6850 is still coping well with most of the games (again BF3 needs some settings lowered but you already know that).

Now the 3570K performs about 2x better than what you have in about everything so I say it's and affordable great upgrade to your whole PC enjoyment. As for a new card, wait a little longer the GTX660Ti is around the corner, 660 also probably in a few months prices will come further down. I switched from an E8400 to a 2500K with the same GTX275 (a card that's comparable with what you have) and had very noticeable jump in framerates and smoothness in many games.
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Old Jul 28, 2012, 11:04 PM   #8
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I agree with others in that you should upgrade your CPU and mobo. It's a better option for the long run.

You could buy a PSU, which would be an even better long run option. The PSU you have now is decent for what it is, but you'll be put in the position of needing to upgrade in the near future. It also might convenience you to go with a modular design, which would benefit your rig as far as airflow and aesthetics is concerned. There really are some fantastic PSUs out there right now that offer high efficiency across various loads and implement a modular design; that said, don't splurge a large portion of your $350 on it. Buy a decent PSU, but don't go overboard (though I doubt I need to tell you this ).

Anyway, take into account the advice given here, but ultimately make a decision that suits you!
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Old Jul 29, 2012, 12:31 AM   #9
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I would definitely do the CPU upgrade route. no need to upgrade form the 6850 right now.
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Old Jul 29, 2012, 12:51 AM   #10
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Ok so I'm going to go ahead and go the CPU/Mobo upgrade route.

How about my selection, the i5 3570k and ASrock Z77 Extreme4. Right now at Microcenter in-store I can get that combo for $282, leaving me with enough left over for a CPU cooler (being as everyone hates stock intel HS's). For that I had my eye on the CM Hyper 212 evo.

Are these all pretty solid choices or could I do better within my $350 budget? I say the budget is $350, but I'll take a lot less heat from the wife the less I spend.
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Old Jul 29, 2012, 01:28 AM   #11
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WOW, sooo trippy i was actually gonna buy the EXACT same things from the exact same place yesterday...my friend lagged on selling me his i7, and this was next up on the block.
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Old Jul 29, 2012, 06:00 AM   #12
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WOW, sooo trippy i was actually gonna buy the EXACT same things from the exact same place yesterday...my friend lagged on selling me his i7, and this was next up on the block.
So you didn't end up getting them?
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Old Jul 29, 2012, 07:56 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Jimmy2k9 View Post
Ok so I'm going to go ahead and go the CPU/Mobo upgrade route.

How about my selection, the i5 3570k and ASrock Z77 Extreme4. Right now at Microcenter in-store I can get that combo for $282, leaving me with enough left over for a CPU cooler (being as everyone hates stock intel HS's). For that I had my eye on the CM Hyper 212 evo.

Are these all pretty solid choices or could I do better within my $350 budget? I say the budget is $350, but I'll take a lot less heat from the wife the less I spend.
Everything is good. You can get the Hyper 212 plus which is maybe 10$ cheaper and does about the same job. Otherwise the prices are fantastic.
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Old Jul 29, 2012, 01:59 PM   #14
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So you didn't end up getting them?
nope, i spent my money on a nice watch and clothes.
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Old Jul 30, 2012, 12:51 AM   #15
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I'd get an SSD and maybe some new peripherals? Not sure what kinda stuff you have.
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Old Jul 30, 2012, 01:00 AM   #16
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I'd get an SSD and maybe some new peripherals? Not sure what kinda stuff you have.
Keyboard is a Logitech G510, mouse is a Logitech G9x.

Getting an SSD is certainly on my to get list, hopefully that will be my next upgrade following the cpu/mobo upgrade.
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Old Jul 30, 2012, 01:14 AM   #17
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I would go with the microcenter deal and then a gtx 670 or 7950
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Old Jul 30, 2012, 04:26 AM   #18
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I would upgrade the gpu last because of the games you play, with the exception of bf3. The cpu/mb was a good choice. Ssd's are getting cheaper every month. Soon I will hopefully be getting one myself.
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Old Aug 13, 2012, 05:23 PM   #19
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I seen on facebook that you got your build complete, POST PICTURES!
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Old Aug 13, 2012, 09:19 PM   #20
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I seen on facebook that you got your build complete, POST PICTURES!
Nearly impossible to manage my cables with this psu/case lol. I posted my old mobo/cpu in the trade section (http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=170293) in hopes of scoring a better psu, then hopefully in the next few weeks I can score a new case, as I'm not very happy with my current one. Though airflow doesn't seem to be a big issue really, as my cpu idle temps are around 29ºc and around 45ºc while playing BF3 at 1920x1080 on high settings. My GPU never gets very hot either with the fan at 80% and the PCI slot cooler on it. But... It it looks like crap.

Oh and my gpu decided it wants to sag at the end for some reason? Blarg.




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Old Aug 13, 2012, 09:40 PM   #21
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Oh yeah and this is what I ended up getting btw, lol.

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Old Aug 13, 2012, 10:20 PM   #22
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Nice Upgrade Mate
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Old Sep 7, 2012, 11:02 PM   #23
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Added this about a week ago.


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Old Sep 8, 2012, 01:13 AM   #24
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A fine upgrade! and here you were just planning to "stretch" your old rig. Bang! "On Top" with all new tech.

You might want to update your FS thread or if it's sold ask a mod to lock it.
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