Which way to go.... (6990 or rebuild)

[stealthgeek]

Currently got the spec in my sig, but looking to upgrade the graphics after the BF3 beta (Im using 1920x1200, was getting minimum 44FPS/average 55ish with mostly high/Ultra settings.)

I know it was a beta and the final product is likely to be optimised, but Im not sure how much mileage they'll squeeze out of optimisation to be honest....

Given Im still on 775, I think my options are:

- Sell the 6970 and get a 6990 (I dont have CF on my mobo) and keep the current setup (perhaps upgrade the PSU also??)
- Sell the majority of the kit apart from the 6970, get a 2500k/Z68/16GB ram/new PSU/additional 6970 to crossfire

I mainly use it for gaming, but I need to setup some VM's for some labs Im about to do and 8GB isnt cutting it...

Which would you go for, am I likely to notice a massive gain in performance by switching to i5?

I did a rough estimate of how much either of these will cost, option 1 will be about £700ish, option 2 would be pushing £1k....

 

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Wait until the game comes out before spending money, buying blind isn't a great idea when the Beta didn't even have ultra detail enabled.

I would say stick with what you have. You have a good cpu with a high clock, plenty of memory and a 2gb solid GFX card. Plus your fps seems quite playable indeed at those settings.

Do you really need to spend towards £1k just so the game can look 5% prettier and run a little faster!!!

 

[AshenShugar1873]

As above I'm not sure you NEED to upgrade, but if you WANT to

Option 1 may be cheaper than you think http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18328740

The upgrade to a 2500k should be noticeable but whether it gets your min frame rate up to what you want who knows.

What about selling your current parts on the MM to get some cash back and put that towards a new Sandybridge setup.

 

[stealthgeek]

Yeah, I agree about buying blind, just wanted to sort out the options so I knew what to buy at the end of the month if performance wasnt up to scratch, but also - just got that bleedin upgrade bug biting away

Cheers for the link, I might stick with what I have for the moment - we'll see....

 

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Stick

I'm in a similar boat with a Q6600 G0 (not overclocked as could not be bothered), 4gb ram, 5770, but am going to go for the SB upgrade with a single GPU (5850 for starters then maybe a 2nd with a new PSU) or just grab a 560Ti/6950 and be done keeping current 520W PSU.