Upgrading a PC (SLI?)

Gonzo100100

Gonzo100100

Gonzo100100

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Joined
12 Jan 2013
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68
Hello,
I wonder if it is worth to upgrade my computer.
My specification:

MSI GeForce GTX 470 Twin Frozr II 1280MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail
Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
8 GB RAM (4x2GB) (Crucial CT2KIT25664BA1339 PC1333 Main Memory DDR3 4 GB Crucial Value CL9 2x2 GB Kit Retail x2)
I don't know if it is important to mention it but I also have:
2x Crucial SSD

I was planing to buy new computer in 1 or 1,5 year but I wonder if it will be much better and actually cheaper to just slowly and constantly upgrade the PC

My first question is what should I upgrade to increase performance as much as possible with a good price?

I read that having 2 graphic cards is very effective. If it is worth to buy second card instead of replacing current one or CPU, what card should I buy?

Finally I want to change my computer case. I have Zalman Z7-PLUS Mid-Tower ATX Gaming Computer Chassis but It is a little bit too narrow so I had to take off additional fan from left side of the case because it doesn't fit with CPU fan (Noctua - Heatsink + Fan CPU Cooling Kit - 2x 120mm Fans - NH-U12P SE2 - Special Edition)
So I think that I actually could get some tower case from top shelf (big, heavy and with good cooling) because as I understand, It should be a component I will not need to change in 10 - 20 years time?

Thanks in advance for help and I am open for suggestions.

PS: I'm going to wait with buying anything until April, just waiting for money but it is worth to be ready.
 
What PSU do you have?

The 470s are power hungry to be fair, probably best just to sell it off and replace. Even if you can add a 2nd 470 the VRAM isn't combined you will still be "limited" by the VRAM. Most GPUs today are 2GB or more, using high res textures and AA etc gobbles up the VRAM.

Case is a personal preference, if you had a budget in mind we could make some suggestions.
 
 
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Nobody can guarantee a case would last for 20 years :-)

After 20 years - obviously - it might accomodate all of your future components (which should be a subject of minimisation BTW), but the point is its equipment. Nowadays there are USB3 panel slots - do you really think after 20 years USB 3.0 will still be common ? :) Expansion bays - nobody can guarantee that in 10 years - for example - there won't be new standard which will be popular. Or bay for PSU - what if PSU dimension would shrink dramatically due to some technological breakthrough - would you buy some adapters to "meretriciously" fill out space ? And maybe there will be something new, like Thunderbolt, and all new cases would have 4 slots of this in front ? :) What about motherboard dimensions, what if they invent 3D motherboards like cube ?

So many questions, I'd avoid thinking the case lasts forever :)
 
My PSU is ModXStream Pro 500W
VRAM is RAM for graphics card, right?;p
I am happy to upgrade my PC but I don't want to upgrade everything because it will be in my opinion waste of money in my case because I want the upgrade for better game performance. For now I noticed that I couldn't play Crisis 3 on maximum graphic settings and Tomb Raider with TressFX hair quality on. For upgrading my PC, it doesn't to be graphic card but I just assumed that it would help the most. I'm okay to spend up to £300 (not counting computer case) but only if I will receive high performance boost. Otherwise I prefer to wait until 2014 and think to change everything. More games with high graphics requirements will be available.

I have the idea for new computer case mostly because it doesn't fit to my CPU fan.
This is how it looks: http://postimage.org/image/nguhev5f5/ so I am afraid that a lot of dust is getting inside.
The maximum budget for that... I don't know... I could spend up to £300 if I knew it will last for very long time and if there is any point of spending that much money for tower case. If the difference between £300 case and £50 is that the expensive one has more pretty, flashing lights then I'm not interested. I don't really know very much about it so I need an advice.
 
You can get a 470 fairly cheap these days, but having SLi does not guarantee performance improvements as the game has to be optimised for SLi

Stelly
 
I did add a second 470 to my system and at 1080p I can max out the Vram but to no real noticeable effect.

The system is powerful but can draw as much as 630W (far cry 3) from the wall.

At this point in the game it might be better to get a 670 rather than a new PSU and another 470
 
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