Need some advice on upgrade or not

acharris

acharris

acharris

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13 Aug 2004
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830
Hi all I wonder if I can ask some advice. My current PC is 3 years old and is the following spec:

I5-3750k 3.4 Ghz stock
8 Gb Ram
AMD 7970 GPU
2 Tb HDD and 2 others
Thermalright HR-02 CPU cooler
Antec P182 case
650W Antec PSU

I know the system is ok and quite quick, but I was looking to maybe build a I7 rig as I see some games are recommending it. So I was looking at the following specs:

I7-4790k Devil Canyon
16 Gb Ram
AMD R9-290 GPU
SSD
new case (undecided which)
New Cooler (maybe)
a 750W or 850W PSU (I guess I need more power)

Would this system offer a lot of advantage over my current rig, or should I just change case, maybe cooler, Add more RAM, add a R9-290 and get a SSD. Mostly gaming, but I am doing a few YouTube videos, but this I5 seems ok for the most part.

So ideas from others would be appreciated so I can get a feel of what to do. Thanks.

Anthony
 
I really wouldn't bother. The machine you have now is more than capable and will provide no noticeable difference with the new gen.

Get another 7970 or a 290p/290x and overclock that CPU. Should get 4.4+ out of it easily.

To give you more of an idea, I'm running a 2600k @ 4.5ghz, 8GB RAM @ 2133 and a 290p with no issues. Played BF3/4, Batman, Borderlands and loads more, no issues what so ever!
 
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The advantage keeping the same kit just changing the CPU (I know they are different sockets just theoretically)would be faster rendering for ytb, and +5~10 fps in games..

I would ideally do 2x290 nice Superflower PSU, SSD + 8 gb ram + maybe AIO cooler and some nice case with plenty of airflow, I've got this Cooler Master CM-690 III and its got 200mm fan up front...
 
snips86x said:
I really wouldn't bother. The machine you have now is more than capable and will provide no noticeable difference with the new gen.

Get another 7970 or a 290p/290x and overclock that CPU. Should get 4.4+ out of it easily.

To give you more of an idea, I'm running a 2600k @ 4.5ghz, 8GB RAM @ 2133 and a 290p with no issues. Played BF3/4, Batman, Borderlands and loads more, no issues what so ever!
Click to expand...
I assume you are not running stock cooler :P
 
No need to upgrade the CPU, RAM or GPU really.

The 7970 is basically a 280X(ish). So a 290 isn't really a big improvement.

What i'd do is overclock the CPU, 4.4-4.6ghz is easily achievable, grab and SSD (important) and a new case (if you really want one).

As for the GPU, id be waiting until the AMD 3**'s are announced/out.. Which should be very soon.
 
Smrtka said:
I've seen a test on the internet... might be wrong..sorry
Click to expand...

Smrtka said:
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-vs-Intel-Core-i5-3570K
Also this video shows i5 haswell version vs i7
Comparison to i5 2500k

My sincere apologies to OP if I mislead him...
Click to expand...

You've quoted what you've seen, which is fair enough (no hard feelings).

I'll just give you my side of the story. That video does show a difference, yes but 5-8 FPS at over 100 to 150 FPS is only 3%-5% overall increase. (Thats the real difference).

Games are very GPU limited so CPU power makes a small but fractional difference. This is a better video example:

 
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Doomedspeed said:
You've quoted what you've seen, which is fair enough (no hard feelings).

I'll just give you my side of the story. That video does show a difference, yes but 5-8 FPS at over 100 to 150 FPS is only 3%-5% overall increase. (Thats the real difference).

Games are very GPU limited so CPU power makes a small but fractional difference. This is a better video example:

Click to expand...
So are you saying it is indeed 5-8 FPS ? or am I missing something ?
 
Your system does not look that bad, I am still using 7950's myself and will not be buying new GPU's until after AMD's new 300 range has settled.

Do you really need 16gb of ram? How many games do you play that require more than 4 cores?

I think it could be worth holding out until Intels new CPU range comes out, and AMD's new GPU's are released. Your current rig will have no issues with anything released this year.

An SSD and AIO cooler could be worth buying, as could a more airflow orientated case and 750w PSU if you fancy crossfire/sli in future.
 
Thanks all for the great advice. It is something I have been toying with as I got the upgrade itch haha. I think I will just go with a new case and SSD definitely, and maybe a AIO cooler.

Thanks all for giving me opinions to balance up with my own.
 
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