Need Advice for Upgrading, 1440p

Jooeey

Jooeey

Jooeey

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Joined
28 Jan 2013
Posts
24
So currently im running;

Intel 3570k i5 4.5ghz overclocked
AMD 7970 Ghz edition
8 Gb Ram
Windows 8 64bit
on 124gb SSD
1 Tb Hard drive
Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply
Asus PCE-N15 300Mbps 802.11B/G/N Wireless PCI-E Network Adapter

i dont know what model my mobo is as in DxDiag and system info it doesnt say but i got it in the Z77 Gamer" Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40GHz @ 4.50GHz DDR3 Ivybridge Overclocked Bundle

So ive very happy with this build but i think its time to upgrade as i recently got a Asus 27" 2560x1440 monitor (changing to a crossover soon)
and it looks great and is perfect for what i do (Graphic Design)
but as i spend most of my free time gaming, things tend to run around 30fps on high depending on the title.
A few things run better like Lol but im a stickler for 60fps.

So i just wondered what my options are? i dont want to spend a ridiculous amount and i also would like a nicer case(currently have Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case)
 
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Ah right thanks.
Do you advise to go with the crossfire option ?
ive heard that not all games are compatible and can get very hot but i guess its the cheaper option ?

Also do you have a case you would recommend ?
 
If you can get, say, £200 for your 7970 and take it off the price of a 780 or 290 + PSU you'd be looking at around £275, or £350 if you wanted a PSU that would handle 780s/290s in SLI/Crossfire. A 7970/280x Crossfire would give you better performance now, but limits future upgrades. A 290 will get you around 60 fps on max settings in some games at 1440p, but not in others:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7601/sapphire-radeon-r9-290-review-our-first-custom-cooled-290/3
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/63953-sapphire-radeon-r9-290-tri-x/?page=9

So it depends which games you'll be playing, at what settings.

With the bitcoin mining craze going on it's a relatively bad time to be buying 280Xs and a good time to be selling 7970s. Personally I'd get a non-reference 290 now then get another one on the cheap when the bubble collapses. If you're quite sure you won't buy another 290, just get a 280X or a second-hand 7970.

Cases are quite subjective, of course, and depends on your budget: make sure you get one that fits your CPU cooler, and has good air flow (particularly if dual GPUs are in your plans)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X "BF4 Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (11227-00-50G) £379.99
1 x SuperFlower Leadex GOLD 1000W Fully Modular "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £149.99
1 x NZXT Hale Power 90+ 850W '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £129.95
1 x Corsair Carbide 540 High Airflow ATX Cube Case - Black (CC-9011030-WW) £129.95
1 x BitFenix Ronin Tower Case - Black £69.95
1 x Corsair Carbide 300R Mid Tower Case - Black (CC-9011014-WW) £65.99
Total : £949.93 (includes shipping : £20.10).

 
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ok so i reckon ill go with the R9 290 and i might as well get the 1000w PS for only an extra £20 so i have the option to CF at a later date.
 
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