Upgrade advice

punky_munky · 30 Dec 2014 at 11:46

Hello! Old timer here. I posted this on Reddit but didn't get any useful advice and then remembered this place.

I'd really appreciate some guidance when it comes to upgrading my gaming PC. I built this machine nearly three years ago and at the time I wasn't totally sure how in to PC games I'd be so didn't invest too heavily in the hardware (174 Steam games later, I think I know where I stand).

I'm starting to find that newer games aren't running so smoothly, and even some slightly older games like Just Cause 2 can't be maxed out and run at 1080p60.

I ran some benchmarks:

Bioshock Infinite Ultra DX11 DDoF benchmark = 33.5fps
Assassins Creed 4 at Max / 1080p = ~26fps
Just Cause 2 on Concrete Jungle benchmark = 31.25fps
Tomb Raider on Ultimate = 24.5fps

CPU: Intel Core i3 2100 @ 3.10GHz
RAM: G.Skill 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z68-V
Graphics: PowerColor HD 6870 1GB GDDR5
Storage: 2TB Western Digital
PSU: Cooler Master GX 650W

I can spend around £250 on upgrades but I don't really know what to get and what sort of improvement I can expect to see. Would a new GPU and SSD be my best bet? Or does the CPU become a limiting factor any upgrade? Any help is appreciated!

mickyflinn · 30 Dec 2014 at 12:04

You could sell your cpu and get a 2500k second hand then this would be an option which will leave you funds to do so.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI AMD ATI Radeon 7950 BE 3072MB PCI-Express Graphics Card **REFURB 90 DAY WARRANTY** (R7950-3GD5 BE) £99.95
1 x Crucial MX100 128GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter (CT128MX100SSD1) £54.98
Total : £164.53 (includes shipping : £8.00).

6870 v 7950 benchmarks.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/540?vs=550

punky_munky · 30 Dec 2014 at 12:45

Thanks, that's helpful. The 7950 seems to have passed me by entirely in my research. I was looking at cards for around £150 so things like the R9 280. The 7950 and R9 280 seem to be comparable at 1080p in these benchmarks http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1033?vs=1332

Second hand CPU upgrade sounds like a good idea. Presumably the i3 2100 would limit the performance of the 7950?

Idleman · 30 Dec 2014 at 13:03

You could also look for an IB 3570k, but make sure to update your bios, Version 3402.

http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/P8Z68V/HelpDesk_Download/

I would post a wanted thread if I were you. i5 Cpu, Gpu and an ssd, you can get a 256gb for about £60+.

pumaz · 30 Dec 2014 at 13:27

This is what I'd do.

Sell your i3 and 6870 and raise £50 which will give you £300, Shop for used parts i.e. i5 2500K / 3570K = £100, SSD for Windows Boot = £50 and AMD 280 / 290 or Nvidia 770 / 780 = £150. Might even get you a used 970 for a little more if you're very lucky

By all means place a wanted add but also keep checking members market religiously!

punky_munky · 30 Dec 2014 at 13:38

Idleman said:
You could also look for an IB 3570k, but make sure to update your bios, Version 3402.

http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/P8Z68V/HelpDesk_Download/

Thanks, I didn't know about the bios update. I'm sure that's saved me some pain further down the line!

punky_munky · 30 Dec 2014 at 14:14

Ok grand advice all round, thanks. I'm working the members market.

Upgrade · 30 Dec 2014 at 14:21

I wish I had access to the members market already!

punky_munky · 30 Dec 2014 at 14:24

I put my time in about 10 years ago!

punky_munky · 5 Jan 2015 at 21:40

Righty, I've just bunged in an i5 3570k and an R9 280x. My Bioshock Infinite benchmark has gone from 33fps to 89fps. Not bad for a £200 upgrade!

Thanks everyone who gave advice, especially Idleman who has been super helpful.

Idleman · 6 Jan 2015 at 00:03

punky_munky said:
Righty, I've just bunged in an i5 3570k and an R9 280x. My Bioshock Infinite benchmark has gone from 33fps to 89fps. Not bad for a £200 upgrade!

Thanks everyone who gave advice, especially Idleman who has been super helpful.

You're welcome mate. God Bless the MM.