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Upgrade

Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
59 (0.02/day)
System Name Current Intel Build
Processor Intel Q6700 @ 2.6 GHZ
Motherboard Intel DQ35JO
Cooling Stock Cooler
Memory 6 Gb ddr2 800
Video Card(s) MSI R9 280 Gaming OC
Storage Seagate 1.5 Terabyte Hardrive
Case Thermaltake Armor
Power Supply Rosewill RG630-S12 600 Watt
Mouse Logitech G500
Keyboard Corsair k70
Software Windows 7 Ultimate
Hello everyone I am planning an upgrade soon for my current build I was torn but after hearing from everyone I have been persuaded that Intel has better single thread performance which is whats important currently in gaming. Here is what I was thinking of going for, I have about a $500 budget. What do you guys think?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CmF6qs
 
Joined
May 3, 2014
Messages
519 (0.14/day)
Location
UK
System Name Daedalus
Processor AMD FX 6300
Motherboard ASUS M5A97 EVO R2.0
Cooling Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Memory 8GB Kingston HyperX Genesis (2x4GB)
Video Card(s) MSI R9 270X Gaming 2GB
Storage 1TB Seagate Barracuda
Display(s) LG Flatron E2442 (main - 24in 1080p)
Case NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal Edition)
Power Supply XFX Pro 650W
Mouse Steelseries Siberia [RAW]
Hello,

I'm curious to see how your 4870 X2 is holding up - the architecture is becoming quite old, but if you're getting good frames, then you should be fine. But I personally think the GPU would end up bottlenecking the i5 a bit though, although that is dependent on the resolution. For a 1080p gaming rig, here is a possible set of parts including a GPU upgrade too:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vKmmG

While it cannot be overclocked, the performance of the i5 in this situation will be far greater than the system in your System Specs. Overclocking isn't always needed.

Layton
 
Joined
May 18, 2010
Messages
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System Name My baby
Processor Athlon II X4 620 @ 3.5GHz, 1.45v, NB @ 2700Mhz, HT @ 2700Mhz - 24hr prime95 stable
Motherboard Asus M4A785TD-V EVO
Cooling Sonic Tower Rev 2 with 120mm Akasa attached, Akasa @ Front, Xilence Red Wing 120mm @ Rear
Memory 8 GB G.Skills 1600Mhz
Video Card(s) ATI ASUS Crossfire 5850
Storage Crucial MX100 SATA 2.5 SSD
Display(s) Lenovo ThinkVision 27" (LEN P27h-10)
Case Antec VSK 2000 Black Tower Case
Audio Device(s) Onkyo TX-SR309 Receiver, 2x Kef Cresta 1, 1x Kef Center 20c
Power Supply OCZ StealthXstream II 600w, 4x12v/18A, 80% efficiency.
Software Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
Hello everyone I am planning an upgrade soon for my current build I was torn but after hearing from everyone I have been persuaded that Intel has better single thread performance which is whats important currently in gaming. Here is what I was thinking of going for, I have about a $500 budget. What do you guys think?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CmF6qs

I agree with LaytonJnr. The 4870X2 isn't going to hold up.

You've already maxed out your budget without a new GPU. I would drop to an i3 or a FX 83xxx or FX 6300 and squeeze in a better GPU.

The i5 is out your price zone.
 
Joined
May 3, 2014
Messages
519 (0.14/day)
Location
UK
System Name Daedalus
Processor AMD FX 6300
Motherboard ASUS M5A97 EVO R2.0
Cooling Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Memory 8GB Kingston HyperX Genesis (2x4GB)
Video Card(s) MSI R9 270X Gaming 2GB
Storage 1TB Seagate Barracuda
Display(s) LG Flatron E2442 (main - 24in 1080p)
Case NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal Edition)
Power Supply XFX Pro 650W
Mouse Steelseries Siberia [RAW]
I agree with LaytonJnr. The 4870X2 isn't going to hold up.

You've already maxed out your budget without a new GPU. I would drop to an i3 or a FX 83xxx or FX 6300 and squeeze in a better GPU.

The i5 is out your price zone.

I just looked back at the original thread, and the OP missed out one piece of information in this new thread - he already has an R9 280 which has been purchased.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/new-amd-gaming-uprade.203420/

Hello everyone I am planning an upgrade soon for my current build I was torn but after hearing from everyone I have been persuaded that Intel has better single thread performance which is whats important currently in gaming. Here is what I was thinking of going for, I have about a $500 budget. What do you guys think?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CmF6qs

In which case, ignore what I said about getting a GPU upgrade because it seems like you already have. So the choice of the i5 4690K is a bit more suitable. Is there a reason why you need such high frequency RAM? I also think the RAM heatsink may cause CPU cooler clearance issues in the future.

EDIT: Speaking of CPU cooling, you might as well throw in a CM Hyper 212 cooler as well.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

Layton
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
59 (0.02/day)
System Name Current Intel Build
Processor Intel Q6700 @ 2.6 GHZ
Motherboard Intel DQ35JO
Cooling Stock Cooler
Memory 6 Gb ddr2 800
Video Card(s) MSI R9 280 Gaming OC
Storage Seagate 1.5 Terabyte Hardrive
Case Thermaltake Armor
Power Supply Rosewill RG630-S12 600 Watt
Mouse Logitech G500
Keyboard Corsair k70
Software Windows 7 Ultimate
Yes I'm sorry I forgot to add that I have a R9 280 already. OK I can go with slower ram just thought faster was better.
 
Last edited:
Joined
May 3, 2014
Messages
519 (0.14/day)
Location
UK
System Name Daedalus
Processor AMD FX 6300
Motherboard ASUS M5A97 EVO R2.0
Cooling Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Memory 8GB Kingston HyperX Genesis (2x4GB)
Video Card(s) MSI R9 270X Gaming 2GB
Storage 1TB Seagate Barracuda
Display(s) LG Flatron E2442 (main - 24in 1080p)
Case NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal Edition)
Power Supply XFX Pro 650W
Mouse Steelseries Siberia [RAW]
Yes I'm sorry I forgot to add that I have a R9 280 already. OK I can gone it slower ram just thought faster was better.

You are correct that faster is better, however there comes a point at which the increase in frequency has no real world noticeable difference. We're talking a matter of a maximum of 1-2 nanoseconds quicker for $20-$50 more. My recommendation of the sweet spot is 2x4GB 1600MHz CL9 RAM from any major manufacturer (Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, Patriot, etc.). I also prefer lower profile RAM heatsinks for better clearance.

Layton
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
59 (0.02/day)
System Name Current Intel Build
Processor Intel Q6700 @ 2.6 GHZ
Motherboard Intel DQ35JO
Cooling Stock Cooler
Memory 6 Gb ddr2 800
Video Card(s) MSI R9 280 Gaming OC
Storage Seagate 1.5 Terabyte Hardrive
Case Thermaltake Armor
Power Supply Rosewill RG630-S12 600 Watt
Mouse Logitech G500
Keyboard Corsair k70
Software Windows 7 Ultimate
OK that makes sense. Thank you for the help.
 
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