I'm thinking of changing my case and graphics card and possibly the power supply too, and I would quite like some input over what I should go for.
Basically, I feel games aren't running as well as they should. I run at 1920x1080 on all games. I get about 20FPS in GTA4 1.070 almost regardless of setting, 45-50fps on Dirt 3 with High (Not Ultra), Borderlands 2 drops down randomly to about 25fps at times. I have tried everything I can possibly think of even just reinstall a few games and a fresh Windows 7, and it hasn't helped. It'd be interesting if someone had the same GPU/CPU as me and have identical performance, although I'm sure the games used to run better than this.
Case - Currently I have a first version Antec 900. A couple of weeks back my top 200mm fan has given up, and also I don't like how quickly dust builds up in this. Finally, I have never been able to put the other side of the case properly on since I have a non modular PSU. I'm thinking of changing to an Antec 1100, as this still looks nice, has USB 3.0 case ports and its bigger all round. I'm not throwing my 900 away. I have an ancient PC my parents want to re-use so I will use this case.
Graphics Card - Currently I have an inno3D GTX 470 Hawk Edition 1280mb. I really like the performance i'm seeing on the "MSI lightning" cards and also they look awesome as well, good warranty and promise amazing overclocking. Thing is i'm slightly put of AMD since my card before the 470 was a HD4850 which was fine, but then driver problems and some game incompatibilities peed me off. I wish they did a GTX 670 MSI Lightning, because this would be a decision made by my heart and head, but a certain type of law means they don't do one. Only a GTX 580 or 680. Whatever card I get, I will sell my GTX 470.
Power Supply - I'm only going to change this if really necessary. I have an Antec Earthwatts 650w non modular supply which is almost 4 years old. Someone on another forum said a couple of months back that I should change my power supply anyway being that age, are they right? Just in case I need to change it I have been looking at the Sea-sonic X series power supplies and the Corsairs AX fully modular models. However, seeing as the power supply can be mounted with the fan facing down on the 1100 and not on the 900, would a modular supply actually be neater at the bottom of the case?
The rest of my PC is as follows:
Intel i5 2500k @ 4.6ghz - Thermalright Venomous X CPU cooler
Asus P8P67 ATX B3
8GB Kingston Genesis HyperX Grey
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB (Games)
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB (FRAPS + Music + Documents)
1x Corsair Force 60GB SSD (Windows 7 HP 64bit SP1 + Essential drivers + a few programs)
I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money for only a small performance boost, this will be my last upgrade for a long while so I basically want the best bang for buck. I live in the UK so UK prices only preferably from Ebuyer or Overclockers UK
Any suggestions/opinions are welcome, I'd be really happy for anyone's help!
Basically, I feel games aren't running as well as they should. I run at 1920x1080 on all games. I get about 20FPS in GTA4 1.070 almost regardless of setting, 45-50fps on Dirt 3 with High (Not Ultra), Borderlands 2 drops down randomly to about 25fps at times. I have tried everything I can possibly think of even just reinstall a few games and a fresh Windows 7, and it hasn't helped. It'd be interesting if someone had the same GPU/CPU as me and have identical performance, although I'm sure the games used to run better than this.
Case - Currently I have a first version Antec 900. A couple of weeks back my top 200mm fan has given up, and also I don't like how quickly dust builds up in this. Finally, I have never been able to put the other side of the case properly on since I have a non modular PSU. I'm thinking of changing to an Antec 1100, as this still looks nice, has USB 3.0 case ports and its bigger all round. I'm not throwing my 900 away. I have an ancient PC my parents want to re-use so I will use this case.
Graphics Card - Currently I have an inno3D GTX 470 Hawk Edition 1280mb. I really like the performance i'm seeing on the "MSI lightning" cards and also they look awesome as well, good warranty and promise amazing overclocking. Thing is i'm slightly put of AMD since my card before the 470 was a HD4850 which was fine, but then driver problems and some game incompatibilities peed me off. I wish they did a GTX 670 MSI Lightning, because this would be a decision made by my heart and head, but a certain type of law means they don't do one. Only a GTX 580 or 680. Whatever card I get, I will sell my GTX 470.
Power Supply - I'm only going to change this if really necessary. I have an Antec Earthwatts 650w non modular supply which is almost 4 years old. Someone on another forum said a couple of months back that I should change my power supply anyway being that age, are they right? Just in case I need to change it I have been looking at the Sea-sonic X series power supplies and the Corsairs AX fully modular models. However, seeing as the power supply can be mounted with the fan facing down on the 1100 and not on the 900, would a modular supply actually be neater at the bottom of the case?
The rest of my PC is as follows:
Intel i5 2500k @ 4.6ghz - Thermalright Venomous X CPU cooler
Asus P8P67 ATX B3
8GB Kingston Genesis HyperX Grey
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB (Games)
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB (FRAPS + Music + Documents)
1x Corsair Force 60GB SSD (Windows 7 HP 64bit SP1 + Essential drivers + a few programs)
I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money for only a small performance boost, this will be my last upgrade for a long while so I basically want the best bang for buck. I live in the UK so UK prices only preferably from Ebuyer or Overclockers UK
Any suggestions/opinions are welcome, I'd be really happy for anyone's help!
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