new build?

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 10:56

hi all, im considering upgrading my current rig (955, 6gb, 2x4870) for something with a bit more grunt. At the moment im thinking of an i5 with gtx570 or gtx 580, will i see a big improvement? got about 800 to spend. thanks

Reaper 392 · 21 Aug 2011 at 11:11

you will see a pretty big improvement in the processor, but very little in the graphics cards. you will lose any micro stuttering by switching to the one card, but your FPS wont increase by a huge amount.

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:44

what is micro stuttering exactly?

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:52

If you go through these charts - http://www.guru3d.com/article/vga-charts-spring-2011/2

You can see where a 4870X2 stacks up against a GTX570.

Its not 100% accurate because the 4870X2 is missing from some of those charts.

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:07

i think its the 512mb of memory which is holding it back

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:08

harvey1 said:
i think its the 512mb of memory which is holding it back

What resolution do you use? AA/AF settings can also kill performance on slower cards.

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:10

just 1920x1080

Jony27 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:11

have you tried overclocking the CPU?

and for the ram, are you using 3x2GB kits or 1x2GB + 1x4GB ?

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:13

well its a 3.5 at the moment, and they are 3x2gb, i may be tempted to get a new card as these run pretty hot and loud

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:17

Well its as you said, 512mB of Vram is going be killing the performance.

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:31

so what would you guys recommend to replace the 4870's?

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:35

The best single card you can afford?

GTX560ti

6950 2GB

GTX570

You get about £80-90 for the two 4870's to put towards the cost.

Jony27 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:36

gtx 570 gets my vote if you can afford it, also try the system with 2x2gb RAM and overclock the CPU.

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:43

ive got about 800, as i was thinking about a whole new build with the i5

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:43

harvey1 said:
ive got about 800, as i was thinking about a whole new build with the i5

Just get the card now and see how it goes, you got a good PSU?

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:47

erm its a corsair 650w

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:51

harvey1 said:
erm its a corsair 650w

Good.

Just get a new card, keep the money.

Buy something else? huge case? SSD? gaming keyboard+mouse? new mouse pad etc?

harvey1 · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:54

was thinking of a new case, got a haf 932 and will be moving to uni so i thought a down size might be in order as it does take up a bit of room