What would I be best upgrading

mark43 · 4 Aug 2018 at 11:25

Hi Everyone.

I think it may be time for an upgrade but I'm not sure whether I would be best just popping in a better graphics card, or if the rest of my system is in need of a refresh. I have had it for almost 7 years, replaced the graphics card at one point but even that's a few years old now.

I'm not somebody who needs to be able to play everything at max settings (and only need 1080P), I like things to look nice but happy to dial down the settings as my hardware ages. Most games still run fine for me and look good, but currently having performance issues with no mans sky, and although I don't really want to upgrade for one game, I figured it could be about time.

I've listed current specs below. I did look at maybe replacing the whole thing last year but people seemed to suggest the processor was still decent enough and things hadn't really improved that much over the years. So I guess maybe just a new graphics card, but would the rest of the system be a bottleneck if I did? No real fixed budget at this stage, can't go crazy but just want to get an idea of what would be best.

Asus P8P67 LE motherboard
Intel 2500K
8GB RAM
AMD 290X
500GB SSD & 2TB HDD
650W PSU

StarShock · 4 Aug 2018 at 11:34

Could likely get away with a new graphics card, and maybe another 8gb of ram, specially if you're just looking at gaming. As to which card, right now I would wait. Rumor has it that the first lot of new cards will be coming end of the month.

Edit - Might also be worth looking out for a 2nd hand 2600k

mark43 · 4 Aug 2018 at 12:26

Thanks. If there are new cards on the horizon I'll definitely hold fire for a bit. As to which card that's gonna be a tricky one, I usually favour AMD and have a freesync screen, but I'm so fed up with reading "seems to struggle with AMD cards" and the like when having problems with a game.

I did wonder about an extra 8gb, only thing putting me off is wondering how long I'll hang onto this system even if I don't upgrade it all now.

orbitalwalsh · 4 Aug 2018 at 14:51

Vega 56/64 would be a nice build for graphical power and Freesync .

jabbz · 9 Aug 2018 at 23:23

How much would you like to spend as that changes everything?

mark43 · 10 Aug 2018 at 07:10

jabbz said:
How much would you like to spend as that changes everything?

Probably 1070 sort of prices for the graphics card, though was happy to splash out more to do the whole system if it was necessary. Think I'll hold fire for now and see what happens with the new cards.

angel102 · 10 Aug 2018 at 10:03

mark43 said:
Probably 1070 sort of prices for the graphics card, though was happy to splash out more to do the whole system if it was necessary. Think I'll hold fire for now and see what happens with the new cards.

looking very likely they will be announced if not released on or just after August 20th.

mark43 · 10 Aug 2018 at 13:00

angel102 said:
looking very likely they will be announced if not released on or just after August 20th.

Thanks

jabbz · 10 Aug 2018 at 23:15

There could be offers on the older cards when the new ones are out.

mark43 · 10 Aug 2018 at 23:27

jabbz said:
There could be offers on the older cards when the new ones are out.

Thanks, yeah I'm thinking I'll see how the new ones are priced anyway, but could well be an opportunity to pick up one of the older ones at a good price.

aimless · 11 Aug 2018 at 06:55

Any chance of gpu prices coming down with ex miners flooding the supply chain?

aimless · 11 Aug 2018 at 06:57

Used 1070s on gumtree going for about £250 right now so they have come down!

jabbz · 24 Aug 2018 at 20:55

looks like there is not much extra to come from the new cars apart from RT

mark43 · 24 Aug 2018 at 21:01

jabbz said:
looks like there is not much extra to come from the new cars apart from RT

No, and doesn't look like its going to lower the prices of current cards. The nonsense pricing has just put me off even thinking about it for now...

orbitalwalsh · 25 Aug 2018 at 07:39

jabbz said:
looks like there is not much extra to come from the new cars apart from RT

mark43 said:
No, and doesn't look like its going to lower the prices of current cards. The nonsense pricing has just put me off even thinking about it for now...

There's a good difference in power , but the extra price isn't in proportion .

Vega 56 on pre order for £400 is you want new

Todd Greene · 26 Aug 2018 at 19:47

if you havent already look into overclocking maybe? as the system you have should be ok at playing most games maybe not at max as you say but shouldnt be to bad.

heatonpkmassive · 26 Aug 2018 at 23:28

Todd Greene said:
if you havent already look into overclocking maybe? as the system you have should be ok at playing most games maybe not at max as you say but shouldnt be to bad.

Agree. That chip is known to clock rather well if you're in luck.