Upgrade or Stick

[Tim2100]

I have just built my rig with an i7 3770k processor. It still has the standard cooler as I don't need to overclock.....yet..

I re-used my old graphics card but not sure if this is now a bottle neck.

My motherboard (Z77-D3H) has a DVI, VGA & HDMI sockets non are used.
I have a 512MB Sapphire HD4870 graphics card with both DVI's being used.

So.

What is the iGPU like in the i7? better/worse than HD4870?
Is it worth getting an additional (2nd hand) HD4870 and run in crossfire mode?
Or bin the lot and get the latest?
I would prefer not to spend any cash if I can, and if I do, the least the best, but will I actually notice any difference by going to an additional or newer card?

 

[ALXAndy]

igpu no I doubt it.
No.
Yes.

Just find the funds for a 7850 and you'll be sorted.

 

[opethdisciple]

You will see a massive difference by upgrading your GPU.

A 660 or a 7850 will do the job.

 

[Kaapstad]

If you are using a 3770k, to get the best out of it you should look at a HD 7950.

i7 3770k CPUs are not cheap, get a graphics card to make the best use of it.

 

[Blue160]

The iGPU is way worse than your 4870. That said your 4870 is pretty old and slow compared to what's around now. The best bang for buck at the moment is the Sapphire 7870XT, but that's still around £200. If you really can't run to that looking second hand may be your best bet. 6950's can be had for well under £100 now.

 

[Kaapstad]

Op what do you use your system for

 

[Tim2100]

Cheers for advice

The i7 is an expensive chip but when I built the system with the i7 a couple weeks ago, it is to last a long time. So I spent a bit more so the upgrade cycle will be a lot longer.

will forget about the iGPU. I guess that a crossfire system is not worth looking at then.

I use the system for bits of everything. Currently I'm watching Video, Surfing & doing some electrical simulation stuff. I also use it for photo editing, and gentle gaming. I will be starting 3D CAD stuff soon.

I will wait and try to find some extra pennies and get a high end graphics card such as the 7950 as suggested or the Nvidia equivalent. I would prefer to get the an Nvidia card purely cause I picked up a Nvidia Coolermaster case as it looked good

I will have to add that to my current computer shopping list
-256 Sata3 SSD
- Additional Memory
- New CPU Cooler (Or water cooling)
- high end graphics card.
And for my server

2x WD 3tb Red


Many Thanks all.