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Build Advice What shall I upgrade to from my current PC? (Gaming performance)

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by cyber zak, 26 Nov 2013.

  1. cyber zak

    cyber zak What's a Dremel?

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    I'm looking to enhance my gaming performance, I'm going to upgrade my CPU to an AMD 8350 and would like a new GPU or more.

    These are my current specs:

    MOBO: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3

    GPU: PowerColor Radeon 7850

    PSU: Antec TP-650 (650w)

    RAM: 2 x 4GB Corsair Vengance DDR3

    CPU: AMD FX 6100

    CASE: Cooler Master Elite 335U

    My budget is: £500 or more, depending on how much I make.

    I was originally going to got for the AMD 7990 because it looks really good and I can pick it up for £400, that would leave me £100 or so spare to get a better PSU.
    I like the ideas I currently have but I really need more advice.
    Thanks.

    TL;DR: HELP ME UPGRADE MY PC, what is good to get within a £500 budget.
     
  2. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

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    What resolution?

    Id prob pick up a cheap 7970 and be done with it.

    rest is ok really for a games machine
     
  3. Shirty

    Shirty W*nker! Super Moderator

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    I'd be tempted to splash on a new case while you're at it. The Elite 335U is a bit of a minger imo.
     
  4. MSHunter

    MSHunter Minimodder

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    U27MH done. (Dell Ultra sharp 27" 1440p screen)

    then after that a GPU upgrade makes sense.
     
  5. cyber zak

    cyber zak What's a Dremel?

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    @mrbungle
    I'm running at 1920x1080.
    I would prefer to get something that could max out games. I play Battlefield 4 and other intensive games. I'm really looking to go all out.
     
  6. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

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    PSU is fine! Get a 290 - easily the best upgrade you can make.
     
  7. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

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    a 7970 will run that rez fine.

    or as parge says go all guns and get a 290:rock:
     
  8. Sheiken

    Sheiken Wat?

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    I can personally vouch for this! 290 cheesecake :rock:
     
  9. cyber zak

    cyber zak What's a Dremel?

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    290 was another option I looked at but would you say it would be better to get that than get a 7990? And I assume I should wait to buy a 290 (If I do) because the non-reference coolers will come out soon.
     
  10. cyber zak

    cyber zak What's a Dremel?

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    Would you recommend getting the R9 290 instead of a 7990?
     
  11. teppic

    teppic What's a Dremel?

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    If you get an 8320 or 8350 you'd best upgrade your board too. The cheaper ones don't have sufficient power/thermal design to run the chips well, and will prevent an overclock. The 6100 isn't great, it does need replacing if you're getting a good graphics card.

    Ocuk has the Asus 970 EVO R2.0 on offer at £80, and the 8320 at £110, pretty good prices. These go very well together and you can get the CPU to 4.5-4.8GHz with a reasonable (£30) air cooler.
     
  12. theshadow2001

    theshadow2001 [DELETE] means [DELETE]

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    In my opinion when it comes to AMD its better to go for a strong single card over a dual card. Given the frame latency issues which have been documented by the techreoprt.
     
  13. Sheiken

    Sheiken Wat?

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    I don't have experience with the 7990 nor do I have experience with X-fire, but I do know that for the price, a r9 290 can't be beat!
     
  14. AlienwareAndy

    AlienwareAndy What's a Dremel?

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    Right now I would take the 7990 over the 290. A few reasons really, but mostly the noise and the heat. If you're totally dead set against Crossfire though (which does seem to be pretty well fixed on a single screen now) then go with the 290 but beware, those have issues also.

    http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphi...-290X-Frequency-Variance-Issues-Still-Present

    The 7990 is about as quiet as a graphics card gets. It's also a good 20c cooler than the 290 and faster to boot.
     
  15. Sheiken

    Sheiken Wat?

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    20 seconds of fiddling with AMD Overdrive and my 290 sits comfortably at a constant 1015mhz even after two hours of looping Heaven.

    Don't know how far I can push it, but I'm not even bothered. It performs flawlessly.

    Yes, throttling could probably be an issue for some, but it is a 10 second fix.
     
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