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290x Upgrade for an older system - worth it?

thebutler83

thebutler83

thebutler83

Associate
Joined
21 May 2015
Posts
4
Hello all, I'm looking for a bit of advise as to whether upgrading to an 290x (or a 970) would be worth it for an oldish system or whether I'd be better off plumping for something cheaper such as the 960s?

I've been looking at either of the 290xs below
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-364-AS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-363-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752
(I'll also be needing a new PSU to power these too)

However I've got an older i5 2.6ghz on the old socket LGA 1156 and I'm a bit concerned that I'll end up being bottle necked by the Processor and might be better off saving some pennies and getting a slightly cheaper card.

I'm upgrading from a 5770 so I'm sure whatever I do I'll notice the difference.

Running HWMonitor shows whilst playing Witcher 3 on medium settings at 1680 x 1050 and the load on my GPU is 100% but the load on the CPU is 30% so even though its old the CPU seems to have legs in it.

FRAPs is telling me my average FPS is 22 on Medium settings at on Witcher 3 (with HairFx turned off!) which isn't too shabby for an aging system but far from ideal.

So really my question is if I splash the cash on a 290x would it be worth it or would I find myself with a similar type of performance as if I'd gone for a 960 because of the limitations of the old CPU?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.
 
You'll be OK mate.

For a stop gap whilst my motherboard is being RMA I am using a 2ghz CPU and in most of the games I play it hasn't made any difference over the 4.7ghz one I was running before.
 
matrix seems like a good price for the uk!?

new cards are coming soon but usually new cards = more expensive
i duno im bad at deciding for other ppl lol
 
Thanks for the replies guys

After careful consideration I think I'm going to go for the 970 as below, there's a better chance of it fitting in my case (a Thermaltake Soprano) without needing to get the metal snips out to butcher it.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-013-PL&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

I need a new PSU to go with it. Currently I just have a X-Power ATX-500W but apparently it's only got 20a on the 12v rail so don't think it will cut the mustard - any recommendations to pair with the above card?
Currently looking at one of these https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-118-CS
 
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Thanks to some speedy delivery from OC everything arrived yesterday and all installed.

Pretty chuffed with the performance, everything's running nice and smoothly on Ultra at stock settings on the Witcher 3 at on average 48FPS although in most areas it remains a consistent 60FPS.

That's with Hairfx off though. Turning it on loses me about 10FPS so not really worth it.

Breathed a whole lease of new life into the aging system!

So thanks all for your advise and OC for the delivery :) Even have the spare Witcher 3 code now to shift!
 
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