Advice on upgrading my rig

[Jarchris]

Hi all,

I want to upgrade my GPU and maybe my CPU because they are starting to get old to run new games (like Witcher 3 and GTA V) and I'd love to run these on max settings. I currently have a XFX 6870 and a Phenom X4 965. I was thinking about getting a GTX 970 (not sure what brand yet, so advice on this is welcome too!) and a i5-4690k. Replacing my AMD CPU with an Intel one means I've to replace my motherboard too. For this I was looking at the GIGABYTE GA-Z97X- Gaming 5 or the MSI Z97-Gaming 5.

Now I have a few questions:

Are the new GPU, CPU and motherboard I just mentioned compatible with my other hardware? I currently have a Sharkoon Rebel9 Pro window as case, a OCZ ModXStream-Pro Power Supply (600) and the Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B as CPU cooler. Is the latter still fine? Because a new CPU cooler isn't that expensive anyway.

Maybe this one is pretty hard to anwer. I'm wondering how long I can go on with the mentioned GPU and CPU, playing games on at least medium/high settings. And how long will I be able to max out games on 30+ fps?

Is upgrading my CPU actually needed to max out the newer games? Because I'm afraid my CPU will be a bottleneck if I only get a new GPU.

If you have any other suggestions for a new GPU, CPU or motherboard please let me know too!

Thanks in advance.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Hi all,

Now I have a few questions:

Are the new GPU, CPU and motherboard I just mentioned compatible with my other hardware? I currently have a Sharkoon Rebel9 Pro window as case, a OCZ ModXStream-Pro Power Supply (600) and the Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B as CPU cooler. Is the latter still fine? Because a new CPU cooler isn't that expensive anyway.
.

Generally, yes. The case may be lacking USB3. The PSU is a decent one, especially for OCZ. If you kept the Intel mounting hardware for the CPU cooler it should hook up fine.

Maybe this one is pretty hard to anwer. I'm wondering how long I can go on with the mentioned GPU and CPU, playing games on at least medium/high settings. And how long will I be able to max out games on 30+ fps?
.

Depends on your resolution and type of games for GPU longevity. At least a few years. Considering your still rocking a 6870 I'm guessing you don't want to have to mess with it often. A GTX 970 or 290x are a good way to build it and forget it. The CPU should last a long time. Look at how long the 2500k has lasted as a reference point.

Is upgrading my CPU actually needed to max out the newer games? Because I'm afraid my CPU will be a bottleneck if I only get a new GPU.
.

Yes there will be some bottlenecking with a phenom 965. In some use cases it will not effect the gameplay at all because you are still maintaining a solid 60fps+. See, above, really depends on the game and the resolution. Have you overclocked the CPU? There is certainly some extra potential available.

If you have any other suggestions for a new GPU, CPU or motherboard please let me know too!

Thanks in advance.

Your plan is a good one and looks alot like the midrange system build posted here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

 

[Jarchris]

Have you overclocked the CPU? There is certainly some extra potential available.

Thanks for your reply! Nope, I haven't overclocked my CPU. I guess the 4690k will still be a lot better for gaming than the phenom 965 even when it is? I'm also doubting if I should wait for the new AMD GPUs, because Nvidia has a nice action (free Witcher 3 and Batman: Arkham Knight) going on now when buying a GTX 970 and that action ends this month. I also don't know if my power supply or other components can handle the new AMD GPU.