Gaming PC Upgrade

[botternub]

So I built this pc a few years ago when most of this stuff was fairly new. It's been a really good build for me but with some of the new games coming out, I'm not getting the performance I'm used to.

Budget: $400-600usd. I just want the best bang for my buck, I can go a bit higher if it’s a big increase in performance.

Purpose: Gaming
Location: USA

I will replace anything that can give me a good performance boost.
I don't plan on overclocking unless its with a new motherboard, this one sucked to OC with.

When: I'm ready to move forward now, I'm okay with waiting 6-8 weeks. Whatever will be the best in the long run.

Side note: I've never tried to sell used pc parts before, would these sell for anything on ebay? If so, I'd be more than willing to sell them and add more to the budget.

Motherboard: Intel Z68A
CPU: i7 2600k stock at 3.4ghz
RAM: 16gb ddr3 1333
GPU: 590gtx 3gb SLI
Hard drive: 240gb SSD
Power supply: 1000 watts
Monitor: ASUS VG248QE 144hz (1080p) + Standard 60hrz monitor

 

[rcarlos243]

First off all what brand is your motherboard from? if it is from MSI, Gigabyte, Asus. You should be able to OC it without any issues.

Then get a decent cpu cooler (Noctua NH-D15 for air cooling or Swiftech H240x for Liquid Cooling) and overclock it to 4.5+Ghz and that should be more than good enough for any games you throw at it especially since it has hyperthreading.

Realistically the only real upgrade you need is the GPU, a GTX 970 would be good choice as it is faster than 780 Ti, produce less heat and consumes less power.

I would also upgrade the monitor to Acer XB270HU if you can save enough money as it is 1440p that uses IPS and has G-Sync.

 

[Burpo]

Yes, overclocking that CPU & going to a GTX 970 will keep you satisfied for awhile longer 🙂

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Someone please explain how going from two 590's in sli to a single 970 is an upgrade. I'm not seeing it other than maybe vram if OP is at higher resolutions.

I'd say nothing short of a 980/290x/390x and preferably 980ti is what the OP needs to see marked improvements.

 

[botternub]

Someone please explain how going from two 590's in sli to a single 970 is an upgrade. I'm not seeing it other than maybe vram if OP is at higher resolutions.

I'd say nothing short of a 980/290x/390x and preferably 980ti is what the OP needs to see marked improvements.

Yeah, I looked up some benchmarks comparing the 590sli to the 970 and they said there wasn't much of a difference.

On newegg there are like 5 different variants of the 980ti, does it matter which one? Also, the 980ti is compatible with my current mobo right?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Just to verify do you have one 590 or two?

If you are considering a 980ti I would say wait until the Radeon Fury is release to see where prices end up. The press releases say the Fury will be coming out within 30 days, be priced less than 980ti, and outperform the 980ti. We will see.....

 

[Ken g6]

I'm okay with waiting 6-8 weeks.

Unless you're set on Nvidia, wait a couple of weeks until the new AMD Fury X comes out.

 

[botternub]

Just to verify do you have one 590 or two?

If you are considering a 980ti I would say wait until the Radeon Fury is release to see where prices end up. The press releases say the Fury will be coming out within 30 days, be priced less than 980ti, and outperform the 980ti. We will see.....

It's just one, this one http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Classified-Mini-Display-Lifetime-03G-P3-1596-AR/dp/B005CQQLNM
Sorry for the confusion, it runs in sli so I've always just called it sli, my bad.

I've never been a huge fan of the AMD cards but if it means a big difference then maybe I should wait and see.

 

[lehtv]

Sorry for the confusion, it runs in sli so I've always just called it sli, my bad.

It doesn't actually run in SLI. SLI is for running two graphics cards in tandem. A dual GPU card doesn't need SLI enabled to run the GPUs in tandem.

I've never been a huge fan of the AMD cards but if it means a big difference then maybe I should wait and see.

It's unlikely there's going to be a big difference. Perhaps Fury X will offer a little better performance per dollar than 980 Ti, but that's about it. Maybe if we're lucky the Fury X's water cooler is really good and runs the card near silent at load.

I would just continue with NVIDIA... Buy either GTX 970 4GB for $320-$330 or GTX 980 Ti 6GB for $680-690. Skip GTX 980 altogether, it's not worth its asking price.

980 Ti should be within reach if you sell some parts. Overclocking the 2600K is recommended, you might run into CPU limitations if you just run it stock.

 

[botternub]

It doesn't actually run in SLI. SLI is for running two graphics cards in tandem. A dual GPU card doesn't need SLI enabled to run the GPUs in tandem.



It's unlikely there's going to be a big difference. Perhaps Fury X will offer a little better performance per dollar than 980 Ti, but that's about it. Maybe if we're lucky the Fury X's water cooler is really good and runs the card near silent at load.

I would just continue with NVIDIA... Buy either GTX 970 4GB for $320-$330 or GTX 980 Ti 6GB for $680-690. Skip GTX 980 altogether, it's not worth its asking price.

980 Ti should be within reach if you sell some parts. Overclocking the 2600K is recommended, you might run into CPU limitations if you just run it stock.

Ah I see, didn't know that about the 590, thanks. Would my 590 even be sellable? Its like 4 years old now.

 

[Binky]

Ebay says your 590 might be worth ~$150, so your net investment on a 970 could be as low as $150-ish. The 970 should be much less power hungry, quieter, and cooler than the 590, but I haven't read much about the 590 in a very long time.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

You looked at benchmarks? What in particular were you looking for? I'd say you'd probably do better with a single GPU. Guessing, you might not get higher fps, but I'd bet you'd save on watts used, no?