Other Build Advice

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by civicteer, 21 Apr 2015.

  1. civicteer

    civicteer What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    26 Apr 2010
    Posts:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi everyone

    Just after some advice, I'll list what my PC is currently and explain in more detail below.

    Budget:
    £300

    Main uses of intended build:
    Gaming, internet, SKYPE, streaming videos.

    Parts required:
    unsure (see below)

    Previous build information (list details of parts):
    CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955
    MB: ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO
    GPU: MSI Twin Frozer 7870 OC
    RAM: Corsair Memory XMS3 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz
    PSU: Corsair 550
    Storage: Crucial 256 SSD
    Case: Antec 300

    Monitor resolution: 1920 x 1080

    Storage requirements: n/a

    Will you be overclocking: Unlikely

    Any motherboard requirements (no. of USB, Xfire/SLI, fan headers):

    Extra information about desired system:

    I'm looking to upgrade my current PC as I have noticed the motherboard and CPU are getting on a bit to run current games. I'm currently playing farcry 3 and it plays quite well FPS range from 25(only did this once) up to 60 but the average is between 29 - 45, more so at the lower end. Crysis 3 goes around 25 - 35 all on full settings.

    I made the assumption that is was my CPU holding things back a little but I did the test where I lowered the graphics in game and my FPS jumped right up, suggesting the CPU isn't actually the bottleneck. I was surprised as I thought my GPU was still quite good, perhaps I'm expecting too much to have everything on ULTRA.

    I was looking to get a i5 4690 with a Gigabyte Z97 Gaming 7, which might be OTT for what I want, as I doubt I'd OC and I doubt I'd have more than one GPU but I love the idea of a debug LED. I'm confident at actually building a PC, not so much if it goes wrong, so the debug LED would help me ALOT. I was looking at the MSI Gaming 5, slightly cheaper and with a debug LED but some people are quite scathing of MSI motherboards so its put me right off. Do say if there is a much cheaper motherboard for my needs though.

    Saying all that it seems my CPU isn't actually causing a problem? Only other things I notice is chrome can be quite laggy, a page can load but takes a few seconds for the links to become clickable and so on but over all my PC still runs okay for me.

    So any advice would be great, I don't upgrade often, my CPU must be about 6 years old.. But when I do I like to get reasonably decent stuff to future proof it and get a few years out of it.

    Thanks :thumb:
     
  2. JamesRC

    JamesRC Minimodder

    Joined:
    5 Oct 2012
    Posts:
    286
    Likes Received:
    9
    Your current CPU and GPU are quite well matched for gaming. The 7870 is good for gaming at 1080p at modest detail settings (generally med/high) but not really ultra. You'd benefit from upgrading both CPU and GPU - upgrading just one would still hold you back really.

    I'm in a similar situation (i5 760 with a 660 GTX) and am saving up for a new i5 and 970 combo.

    If you want to get something now, you could aim for a more modest CPU (perhaps second hand Sandy/Ivy Bridge) plus an R280?
     
  3. haris15

    haris15 What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    31 Mar 2015
    Posts:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    IMO you have quite a decent system. From what you have said I assume you have never overclocked your cpu? You may want to get a decent cooler and overclock it for the meantime. You may want to look at this method, seems quite simple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE_j9j3i4j8
    These Phenom processors in particular have a very high overclocking potential, I'd say try this out first, and if then you still aren't impressed, you only spent £20 or so on a cooler.
     
  4. murraynt

    murraynt Modder

    Joined:
    6 Jun 2009
    Posts:
    4,234
    Likes Received:
    128
    You could get an i3, motherboard and a 280x for just over £320 on scan.co.uk

    Alternatively you could keep you current 7870 and run it in crossfire with another.
     
  5. spolsh

    spolsh Multimodder

    Joined:
    4 Feb 2012
    Posts:
    1,569
    Likes Received:
    836
    Wouldn't get an i3 for gaming now.

    You could do as haris15 suggests, get a decent cooler and OC your current chip. Even if you decided to change board and chip, the cooler could be transferred to the new build.
     
  6. civicteer

    civicteer What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    26 Apr 2010
    Posts:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for the replies. I missed off that I do actually have a good cooler, the name escapes me right now though. I tried following that link and after about 4 incremental increases my PC rebooted (the temp never went above 44. Maybe the Motherboard is holding it back?

    I think I might just dial down the settings for now, it seems a shame to replace my GPU when its actually the newest part and my CPU is really old but seems to hold up well. I might spend a bit extra and look at replacing the Motherboard and CPU next month and then upgrading the graphics card towards the end of the summer when I've saved up. Or i might just wait for the newer intel chips to come out, I'm not in a massive hurry after all.

    I do really appreciate your advice so far :) It's been such a long time since I've been able to play games and I'm really enjoying getting back into it :)
     
  7. murraynt

    murraynt Modder

    Joined:
    6 Jun 2009
    Posts:
    4,234
    Likes Received:
    128
    I would upgrade the Motherboard/cpu first, just like you have suggested.

    If you post a picture of the heatsink somebody could probably tell you what it is.
     
  8. JamesRC

    JamesRC Minimodder

    Joined:
    5 Oct 2012
    Posts:
    286
    Likes Received:
    9
    This makes a very good case for gaming on an i3: (summary)

    An i3 is a good option, but if you're going for longevity, an i5 is a better bet. :)
     
  9. spolsh

    spolsh Multimodder

    Joined:
    4 Feb 2012
    Posts:
    1,569
    Likes Received:
    836
    Very interesting read that James, but I can't help but feel that the i3 is going to struggle more and more to keep up with new games. It certainly performed better than I expected in their tests though.
     

Share This Page