(CPU Upgrade+)

[funt]

Ok to start with my current spec is as below

I5 2500
H61MH Biostar Motherboard
8GB Kingston RAM 1333Mhz
500GB Seagate Barracuda x2
250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
HIS R9 290 4GB 1075/1350 (currently).
MSI R9 290 4GB (not currently installed)
AKASA Cobra 650w PSU (have a 1000w en route)

Right first things first, I have about £250-£300 to replace this CPU and motherboard so that I can Crossfire with little to no bottleneck this is probably my priority (hence being in CPU section ) after seeing it score a paltry sub 200 in Catzilla 720p

What are my options? ltmatt says I need an i7 to get the most out the 290's is this a fact? I have started to lean towards AMD in recent weeks and had my eye on an 8350 bundle here at OcUK... which leads me to the next question... do I bundle or buy individual components? I like the idea of a pre Oc'd bundle being a noob but I could probably piece the same parts together myself for less?

I have always had Intel but was set on switching to AMD this purchase but I am getting conflicting advice which leaves me even more confused

I will also need to factor in a Mobo, Cooler unless my Dark Night one will fit the mobo/cpu. and RAM again if my 1333 Kingston wont cut it.


Can you give me an idea of what CPU/Mobo/RAM I should be looking at in order to get the best out of what I have got .. also can anyone give me a brief idea of what to expect from a Kaveri should that be an option, the 4+8 core sounds good in theory but is it a worth it? Budget is pretty strict £300+p&p is absolute top

General advice/ opinions welcomed.

 

[Martini1991]

You do really need Intel to get the most out of the two R9 290's, there's absolutely no denying that.

There's only a handful of games that really benefit from an i7 with dual GPU's, but those are the games that you need the i7 for to get the absolute most out of the GPU's.

An i7 isn't a foolproof solution to bottlenecking, but it is the best.

And it's clocked Intel chips you want to be looking at too, if you'd gone for an overclocking board, overclocking chip, you'd be in a much better situation now.

An AMD CPU for two R9 290's is out of the question (FX83's that is, Kaveri is absolutely a none starter for two R9 290's, you'd struggle to even reach your stock i5 performance).

Someone recently just went from an FX83 to an i7 4770K with his R9 290X's, he's only done one benchmark, F1, he went from around 76 FPS to 115 FPS ; 1080p this is, I don't know what resolution you're at?

 

[modez]

Choosing The Right CPU.

 

[merrick]

i7 every day of the week mate. Kaveri seems pointless as i understand its for people that dont have a GPU solution.

 

[funt]

You do really need Intel to get the most out of the two R9 290's, there's absolutely no denying that.

There's only a handful of games that really benefit from an i7 with dual GPU's, but those are the games that you need the i7 for to get the absolute most out of the GPU's.

An i7 isn't a foolproof solution to bottlenecking, but it is the best.

And it's clocked Intel chips you want to be looking at too, if you'd gone for an overclocking board, overclocking chip, you'd be in a much better situation now.

An AMD CPU for two R9 290's is out of the question (FX83's that is, Kaveri is absolutely a none starter for two R9 290's, you'd struggle to even reach your stock i5 performance).

Someone recently just went from an FX83 to an i7 4770K with his R9 290X's, he's only done one benchmark, F1, he went from around 76 FPS to 115 FPS ; 1080p this is, I don't know what resolution you're at?

I'm running 1080p (edit)

What about the 9000 series? Is the 9590 a non starter? I'm not a crazy benchmarker so I'm not going for ultra efficient just something that will make a difference. I'd be willing to throw an extra 50 or 60 at something if it really is worth the extra money.

 

[Martini1991]

The FX9's are just overclocked FX83's.

There's really no reason to get an AMD at this level of GPU's as far as performance in concerned.

You're after as little bottlenecks as you want (From your OP) but to get that, you can only ever be looking at i7's. (Be that the 4770K, or the 4820)

Your HDTV won't be higher resolution (I've never heard of a HDTV higher than 1080p, you may be able to get 4K HDTV's like)

 

[funt]

The FX9's are just overclocked FX83's.

There's really no reason to get an AMD at this level of GPU's as far as performance in concerned.

You're after as little bottlenecks as you want (From your OP) but to get that, you can only ever be looking at i7's. (Be that the 4770K, or the 4820)

Your HDTV won't be higher resolution (I've never heard of a HDTV higher than 1080p, you may be able to get 4K HDTV's like)

Nah it's 1080- I just checked, it way bigger than my monitor so assumed it would be more p lol

Right so I guess my choices are something like a 4670/K or a 4770?

 

[Martini1991]

The 4670K's an i5, I wouldn't be fully comfortable 4670K and an R9 290 Crossfire, I'd want the i7 (For the odd games that do benefit from the extra CPU grunt)

 

[funt]

Balls to it then, if it really is going to make that much difference I am going to go with the 4770k Chip and a new Mobo and then buy some RAM on the following payday. The bundles for the 4770k look a bit pricey so I will have to do it over 2 months but if it really is worth it then I can handle that I guess.

Thanks for the advice.. can't say I'm not a little sad lol I was looking forward to a 12 core or 8 core but I'm going to get this one http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-471-IN&groupid=701&catid=6

 

[Martini1991]

I don't think the i7's worth the money personally, the i5 at about 160 I think is worth the money (Well, that's because you can't get the same consistent and absolute performance you can out of it with another chip, there's no alternative to get the same results, the i7's able to get the same and better case by case, but it's 80 quid more)

 

[wazza300]

try and pickup a used z77 board and either a 2600k 2700k or 3770k cpu (pref the 3770k so you can utilise gen3 pcie) which would be a decent gain in xfire

 

[funt]

I don't think the i7's worth the money personally, the i5 at about 160 I think is worth the money (Well, that's because you can't get the same consistent and absolute performance you can out of it with another chip, there's no alternative to get the same results, the i7's able to get the same and better case by case, but it's 80 quid more)

Looking back I probably should have bought a CPU/Mobo etc before I bought this other 290 ... it was me being impatience and impulsive but for peace of mind that I haven't wasted money on a 2nd GPU I can live with the 80 quid extra.