Is There a Point?

[azeem40]

Is there a point in upgrading this system for gaming?

Intel Core i5-2500k
Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 Rev 1.3
Sapphire Radeon 7950 1000 MHz
Lite-On DVDRW LH-20A1S
WD Caviar Blue 250GB Hard Drive (had one lying around)
Corsair Carbide 500R
PC Power and Cooling 950W (don't ask; my urge was high back then)
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos 120GB SSD

or should I wait for Haswell next year? I wish I had waited a month for the GTX 670 before building this, lol.

 

[nsafreak]

Nope, zero point. TBH I'm not sure if you'd see much of an improvement from Haswell but since that CPU isn't available yet it'd be hard to say.

 

[azeem40]

I figured that would be the case.

 

[lehtv]

If your framerates are lacking in the games you play and at your resolution and desired image quality settings, then there is a point in upgrading. Otherwise not.

 

[Continuity28]

If you are running 1920x1200@60Hz or less, then there's absolutely no need for an upgrade yet.

 

[azeem40]

I am 1680x1050.

 

[azeem40]

Is it worth getting anything for the system, even if it isn't internal hardware?

 

[StinkyPinky]

Is it worth getting anything for the system, even if it isn't internal hardware?

A larger HDD

 

[azeem40]

Is that the only thing?
Forgot the RAM, but it is 8GB, so no need to change that.

 

[lehtv]

Even the HDD is fine unless you just need more space. Do you?

Are your peripherals all good?

 

[azeem40]

Atm I'm at 138GB used, and it's been 1.5 months. My SSD is at 12GB, so I won't be adding any more games to it. My monitor is 1680x1050, but my dad has so many monitors he won't like me buying a new one. my KB, Mouse, and Speakers are Dell ones lol, so they could be upgraded, but I wouldn't know what to buy.

 

[mfenn]

If your framerates are lacking in the games you play and at your resolution and desired image quality settings, then there is a point in upgrading. Otherwise not.

:thumbsup: The Correct Answer.

OP, at your current resolution, there is no point in upgrading. The 7950 is almost laughably overpowered for 1680x1050. Now, if you were to drop $300 on a 2560x1440 Catleap, then we would talk.

 

[azeem40]

I don't think that would fit on my desk.
So upgrading the KB, mouse, etc isn't worth it either?

 

[tynopik]

So upgrading the KB, mouse, etc isn't worth it either?

are your current ones broken?

if you're really set on upgrading a system, you can donate to a worthy cause, like say for example, my upgrade project

 

[azeem40]

How much would you require as a donation?

 

[HURRIC4NE]

i would recommend getting a bigger HD unless you dont need space...

 

[krnmastersgt]

My suggestion is just get a new hobby, buy some more games, buy some productivity software and try your hand at learning them or something. Your hardware doesn't need much improvement, especially if you can't get a new monitor for whatever reason you may have.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Crossfire?

But you really wouldn't need it unless you went with an eyefinity rig or something. Then you're talking about a lot more $$$$ than just the video card.

 

[azeem40]

What productivity software do you have in mind?

 

[mfenn]

I don't think that would fit on my desk.
So upgrading the KB, mouse, etc isn't worth it either?

If you don't have a nice mechanical keyboard, I can definitely see dropping ~$100 on one of those. Check out the Corsair Vengeance K series. I personally use the Das Keyboard Pro, which is very nice but it's keyswitches are tuned for typing more than gaming.

 

[azeem40]

I have the standard Dell keyboard and Dynex mouse. I will check it out.

 

[azeem40]

I like the Keyboard. Cherry MX Red is close to MX Browns, which is my favorite Cherry switch. I might just get it. Any other suggestions? Such as speakers/headphones/mouse/monitor.

 

[mfenn]

A good all around gaming mouse is a Logitech G400, basically just an update of the legendary MX518. You can also go down the audio upgrade path if you want, the sky's the limit there. You can easily spend a couple grand before you really hit the point of diminishing returns.

As for monitor, that is always a good option, but if you are limited in desk space, you might want to consider upgrading your desk first.

 

[MontyAC]

Yup, if you can't put a 27" monitor on your desk, you need a larger desk. A 27" in only slightly wider than a regular keyboard.

 

[azeem40]

My desk is currently in the kitchen, and I can't use my upstairs desk since my parents don't trust me alone in a room with a computer.