System wide dilemma - please help OcUK hive mind!

dvs20

dvs20

dvs20

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29 Sep 2011
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Hi all :waves; I've actually been lurking around the forums and buying from OcUK for about 10 years but only recently sorted out my forum account (ie re-registered)

I've got a system dilemma that I'm hoping your collective experience can assist with, around how to upgrade my current spec.

# Relevant system config today #
Core i5 750 @ 4GHz - cooled by Corsair H20 watercooling
8GB XMS3 DDDR3 1600
Gigabyte P55 USL3
Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 1GB
Coolermaster Storm case
Dell P2310H 23" displayport case

What I don't like:
1) The motherboard only has 1x PCI-Express 16X full speed slot, the other one is 4X - so no crossfire/SLI realistically possible on this setup
2) The monitor was bought for an eyefinity setup, needed displayport due to the 5850 output restrictions, but is a poor quality panel. My 5 year old belinea 20" wide VGA monitor is sharper and crisper than the dell.
3) The case is not exactly quiet, but does a fair job of cooling.

Why I want to upgrade:
a) BF3 in eyefinity / surround really, and newer games to come. I play a fair amount of FPSs but also some racing (F1 2011) so the immersive setup is one I love. Also BF3 beta runs well with the 5850 but only on Low settings, and no chance in Eyefinity.
b) Noise reduction

What I've looked at so far, in addition to 3x 24" monitors:
i) GTX590 - expensive but will be buying on 0% 12month so happy to spring a bit. Very fast, Surround capable / Rumours it's a lemon with blown capacitors, limited o/c potential due to cooling setup
ii) 2x GTX580 - better performance than the 590 / No chance on existing motherboard
iii) Additional 5850 - Performance gain vs today as it is still an admirable card / Same issue with current motherboard

I'm loathed to go with a SLI setup as the current CPU/RAM combo is absolutely fine - SuperPI 1M times are ridiculously low and general system performance is excellent - especially given I'm using a vertex 2E SSD for system/applications.

BUT WHAT IS BETTER!
> Going for a belting single slot card today to run surround, approx cost £650 + £540 (monitors) + £however much new case costs = £1190 - Latest generation graphics / Might bite me, limited upgrade potential
> Binning / selling current CPU/Mobo/RAM which is performing perfectly and sourcing another 5850, then buying new CPU/Mobo/RAM combo, approx cost £100 (5850) + £540 (monitors) + £new case + £380 (oc bundle) = £1020 - Cheapest option, good upgrade potential / 3rd generation graphics, moderate performance at 5760x1080
> As above but buying 2x 580s for ultimate performance, approx cost £540 (monitors) + £380 (oc bundle) + £744 (2x 580s) + £new case = £1664 :eek: Best performance, best upgradability / Ball-tighteningly expensive route

I know the last option(s) there allow me to claw back some funds from selling my existing kit, but what is it worth really 2nd hand?

Your wisdom and advice is greatly appreciated.

dvs
 
bf3 eyefinity/surround : if its important that you get this can only see the 580 sli/590 etc as the only real option.

how about flogging the current mobo, getting a sli capable one and another 5850 if eyefinity isn't a must have.

noise wise on the case, have you figured out what generates the noise:

1) try dropping the side panels of to see if the tone changes (side panels catching vibration etc).

2) case fans, how many , tried changing the speed/new fans etc

3) other hard drives, if you have storage drives have you checked to see if the manufacturer has software to deal with the acoustic management on the drives.

also if they vibrate and that catches on the case maybe look at suspending them in the case (check out the case forum for a guide)
 
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Just to give you an example, and I really should fix my sig.

i5 2500k, 8GB, Single 6950 2gb.

5040x1050, 30fps pushing 40-45 at times.
3840x800, 40fps pushing 50-55 at times

This is mainly on metro, as for the other larger map. I did start to notice textures not updating fast enough, at times seeing glass as a blank/block colour.

Oh and this is with settings on Ultra/High pretty much highest settings you can get in the beta, as I'm under the impression Ultra means nothing as we don't have the full texture pack.

I'm waiting for the final game to find out if I want to go crossfire, but if you decide on a single gpu upgrade then i'd suggest looking for one with 3gb vram.

Worth adding my system isnt overclocked atm, was having some issues with bf3 quitting and the odd bsod, turned out it was simpley the card overheating and wanted me to either custom fan profile or stick it on 50% before loading games. (which tbh is fair enough)
 
mp260767 said:
how about flogging the current mobo, getting a sli capable one and another 5850 if eyefinity isn't a must have.
Click to expand...

Seeing as I have a Lynnfield (1156) CPU I wasn't aware there were any boards available still with "proper" SLI and support for this CPU? Would love to be proven wrong..

RE the noise issue, it's a combination of case fans and graphics generally not being the quietest, along with awful case sound isolation.
 
Don't think x16/x16 is required at the moment is it?

But OcUK only seem to stock the non pro P7P55D-E, which is x16/x4
 
Found the mobo somewhere online @ £145.

So buying that in addition to:
ocuk1.jpg


Would probably be the best fit? Upfront £300ish then £120/month for the next 11 months.
 
cool.

maybe swap the psu to the ocz 850w zs series £100.

not sure on hdmi cable, think the "cheap" cables are ok upto a certain length, just not sure how long lol sorry :).

case wise have a look at the zalman z9 and BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case as well.
 
Cool will have a look at that PSU. The HDMI cable is for a seperate project ;) trying to reach from my skyHD box to the projector hanging from the ceiling in my living room!

Put that case in purely on the strength of this thread but will check out t'others

Thanks for your input so far!
 
cases are personal choices so thats fine, your the one that has to look at it after all :D.

would imagine its still the same , maybe check the home cinema forum, i know short runs of hdmi are fine with cheap cables, just sure i've seen somewhere that over x metres the dearer cables are worth it to keep quality.
 
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