Some upgrade advice

Agent Orange · 13 Apr 2014 at 12:58

Hello there,

When I was considering my graphics card upgrade a few months ago, I found these forums particularly informative and enjoyable so I've decided to come back and ask for some advice - even though I live in Oz, please don't hold that against me! If I could shop from OCUK I would; but it's also a case of I can't find any comparable local online forums. I hope you guys don't mind

So the recent graphics card upgrade was to an MSI R9 290 Gaming, which I love. But I think its overclocking might be being held back by the rest of my system (namely my motherboard), same too with my CPU. Before I go on I'll list my specs:

Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
i5 2500k @ 4.4 with closed loop liquid cooling
8GB 1333Mhz GSkill RipJaws
128GB SSD, 2TB HDD with 64GB SSD as cache
650W CoolerMaster PSU
Win 8.1 64bit

It is still a great gaming system, but I feel like I can do better on the mobo, CPU and possibly RAM. I'm quite pleased with my storage side, but I really don't like my mobo anymore, and I was wondering if anyone can advise whether it would be worth upgrading to Z87? I've been looking at the MSI G45 Gaming mobo to match my graphics card with an i5 4670K.

I'm thinking that I might not notice much of a performance boost on those 2 items. I'm also thinking my R9 290 is not a good clocker and it is nothing to do with my mobo. I can't get past 1100 on the core and 1300 on the memory (not at the same time), even with +100mV.

So without boring you anymore, as much as I would love to get that new mobo, CPU and maybe, say, 1866Mhz RAM, does anyone think it WOULDN'T be a waste of money and time, considering (I assume) I'll have to format my boot drive for the new parts to work.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Cheers.

dacads · 13 Apr 2014 at 13:26

I think you have a great system and would just upgrade the RAM to 1600MHz or faster depending on prices!

Not sure what motherboard has to do with GPU OCing ability, every GPU clocks differently so you might have been unlucky

Upgrading CPU would only result in a marginal difference but what you could do is get a new motherboard!

Agent Orange · 13 Apr 2014 at 13:43

Yes you're probably right about the mobo having nothing to do with the GPU OC, because I had a HIS ICEQ 7950 prior to the R9 290 and I could OC that really well on the same mobo.

But when I bought the liquid cooler for the CPU I was disappointed to only get it stable on 4.4Ghz, when I was hoping to push for around 4.7 - 5. But again, the CPU might not be a great clocker either. The temps are kept in check quite well (same with the GPU), that's why I was thinking it was maybe the motherboard but it's doubtful I guess.

I suppose another option might be to Crossfire another R9 290; I guess this money I've saved is burning a hole in my pocket! I liked the idea of the MSI motherboard giving their own graphics cards a boost but I'm sure it's a negligible difference.

I think at worst, as you suggest, I might get the 1866Mhz RAM I've been eying. Again, it will probably only be a tiny boost, but I won't have to rebuild the whole kit and format my boot drive etc...

Thanks for the reply mate!

dacads · 13 Apr 2014 at 13:46

No problem , like I said you could always get a newer Z77 motherboard in future if you wish to have PCIe 3.0, more usb 3.0 ports etc!

good day mate

tamzzy · 13 Apr 2014 at 13:47

there's nothing much that needs upgrading unless its for the epeen. performance-wise its probably more of a sidegrade than upgrade

Agent Orange · 13 Apr 2014 at 14:29

Having got some feedback from the Graphics Cards thread I'm thinking the sidegrade might not be a bad option to enable the possibility of X-Fire down the track...Would love to have 2 290's at some point.

Thanks for the feedback though!

Idleman · 13 Apr 2014 at 15:14

If you are thinking xfire 290, I would look to source a 3770K, keep your mobo, up grade ram and get a bigger Psu, 750-850W. Just be sure you have the latest bios on your board, for IB chips before you remove the 2500k.
Which AO1 cooler do you have?

Agent Orange · 13 Apr 2014 at 15:38

Ok that sounds pretty good. So with the 3770k I shouldn't have any probs with bottleneck? I could still get a decent amount for selling my 2500k too.

The cooler is the Intel (Asetek) 2011 liquid cooler. It's compatible with 1155 though, just had to screw a backplate onto the back the mobo.

I recently upgraded my bios to version f10 which I'm pretty sure is the latest for that board.

Idleman · 13 Apr 2014 at 16:18

The 3770K would be the best upgrade route in terms of price and performance. You should be able to source a secondhand chip for less than £160.