Upgrade Advice

Axeboy · 21 Mar 2014 at 13:45

Hi Guys

Considering an upgrade, not sure if time is right or if its worth it. Only needing to swap mobo, ram, cpu and graphics.

Currently have a 3570k at stock, 8gb ram and a 760. Budget isnt fixed to be honest, but I'd be looking for 'value for money' if you know what I mean. So for example, I was thinking of going for the newer i7 and maybe a 780?

Open to options, interested to hear if its worth it or not, maybe I should just do the gfx etc?

Main use it Dayz, ARMA 3, Payday2, Saints Row etc etc, usual games but primarily Arma 2 and 3.

korgtronix · 21 Mar 2014 at 13:49

Tbh looking at your games listed I don't think you would see much benefit in upgrading the CPU/MB now, I would wait at least till the Haswell refresh and see how they play. The 780 will give a nice boost over the 760 but it depends on what resolution you are currently/intending on playing at once the card change happens.

What sort of RAM are you currently using?

snips86x · 21 Mar 2014 at 13:51

I really wouldn't bother upgrading to Haswell. There will be pretty much no difference between the 2, except Haswell may run hotter if you are overclocking.

If I were you, I'd get a decent cooler for your CPU, overclock it to 4.4ghz ish and get either another 760 for SLi, or a 780/290x. An SSD, if you don't already have one, is a good investment too!

Axeboy · 21 Mar 2014 at 13:55

I'll need to check, but current setup includes:

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
Corsair Hydro H50-1

Already have a decent SSD and HD etc etc.

badbiddy · 21 Mar 2014 at 13:58

As above, what games do you play, what size monitor?

snips86x · 21 Mar 2014 at 14:02

Axeboy said:
I'll need to check, but current setup includes:

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
Corsair Hydro H50-1

Already have a decent SSD and HD etc etc.

OK! I'd get a new cooler for your CPU and consider changing to a 780/290x. Overclock that RAM too!

DaleTheWhale · 21 Mar 2014 at 14:36

What PSU do you have, as with a 780/290X you'll need some juice.

snips86x · 21 Mar 2014 at 14:37

ThaReaperGuy said:
What PSU do you have, as with a 780/290X you'll need some juice.

hmmmm......juice!!!

Apple, Banana...oh Citrus is a fav

Axeboy · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:04

PSU is 600w modular, cant remember make but it was reasonable.

Monitor is Iiyama ProLite GB2773HS 144hz but 1920x1080

Axeboy · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:05

So overall it looks like its worth leaving as it is apart from some new gfx?

snips86x · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:07

Axeboy said:
So overall it looks like its worth leaving as it is apart from some new gfx?

Yes!

I'd do something like this:

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI Radeon R9 290X Gaming Edition 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £399.95
1 x Corsair Hydro H100i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CW-9060009-WW) £88
Total : £497.54 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Axeboy · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:08

Perfect, thought that might happen but needed to check

I'll probably bite the bullet and buy tomorrow.

snips86x · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:09

What case do you have? Make sure the cooler will fit!

Axeboy · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:10

Good point, its a cooler master silencio 550 but I'll check beforehand

badbiddy · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:21

As snips says, that is a bargain of an upgrade imo.

I've got the 290 version of that card and the H100i cooler. Corsair Link software seems a bit hit and miss but the cooler works like a champ. The graphics card is a beast also and for £400 including those games, which you could realistically sell for £30-40 you've got something that will last a while!

snips86x · 21 Mar 2014 at 15:27

Axeboy said:
Good point, its a cooler master silencio 550 but I'll check beforehand

Assuming you have space for 2x120mm fans, you can mount it there!

I can't really tell from the pics, but you may be pushed for space mounting it at the top. However, it'll definitely fit on the front, but check clearance anyway.

cmndr_andi · 21 Mar 2014 at 18:02

For two of the games you mention (ARMA3 and DayZ) it is really the CPU that will be holding you back. That's not to say that your i5 3570K isn't a nice gaming CPU (it really is, got one myself) but these two games use an engine made of professional military simulators (Virtual Battle Space) and are very heavy on the CPU due to the complex calculations they are constantly carrying out.

This review shows how much ARMA3 performance scales with a modern quad core CPU (in this case an i7 4770K).

Therefore, I would suggest prioritising the CPU cooler and get prepared for a nice bit of overclocking (its relatively easy with the 3570K). The H100i is a nice cooler, though I would personally recommend the Thermalright silver arrow since its a bit cheaper, just as good for cooling and runs quieter.

If you can afford it, then a GPU upgrade would certainly be beneficial (especially when coupled with the CPU overclock). The MSI 290X gaming is a great card, as is the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X which is a bit cheaper and not much less powerful.

lee32uk · 21 Mar 2014 at 18:57

The case has a maximum cpu cooler height of 154mm, so the Silver Arrow won't fit.

korgtronix · 21 Mar 2014 at 20:22

Like others have said the best things you can do are overclock the CPU and possibly up the graphics card. You aren't going to see much by upgrading anything else.

edit. Never mind about res I apparently can't read after some cider