Need help upgrading - 1 year old build!

[XenofeiThrice]

Hi all, first posting here!

I built a pretty good system about a year ago, and would like some advice on making some upgrades. I am looking to play SWTOR when it comes out in a month at max settings. Here is my current build below. Note: I have not overclocked anything nor attempted to, kind of a noob.

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 @ 2.8GHz (Bloomfield)

Ram: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI

Mobo: ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Hard Drive: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

GPU: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100282VXSR Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card /ATI Eyefinity

PSU: XFX XXX Edition P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Other vitals:
Core Temp @ idle: 39C
GPU @ idle: 45C

My CPU fan is stock. So I would be open to buying an aftermarket one to lower temps. My case has the big fan on top, 2 in the front, one on the side panel, and one in the back so I think the airflow is good.

Price wise I am willing to throw $300-$400 in for some upgrades.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, appreciate it!
~C

 

[fffblackmage]

I don't think you should do anything until SWTOR is actually out, then we'd actually know what kind of system you need to have everything max'ed out.

BTW, idle temps aren't really all that useful, because it's the load temps that will really tell you if you need a better heatsink.

 

[XenofeiThrice]

Should've mentioned:

Been playing the SWTOR Beta. I'm getting around 30ish FPS around high volume areas, and 40+ in less crowded areas, and 60+ in open areas.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I'd still wait for the release. They could optimize heavily between now and then, or in the first few patches.
I've seen videos of SWTOR and I don't see anything there that should be taxing a i7 930 and 5850. MMO's shoot for low system requirements to ensure the broadest player base and you've got a pretty hefty system there.

 

[XenofeiThrice]

Sounds good, appreciate the honesty there!

I would however like to pick up a decent aftermarket CPU cooler in the near future, any recommendations there?

 

[mfenn]

Agree with fffblackmage and DominionSeraph. I played the SWTOR Beta (POS WoW clone, but that's just my 2c) with an i7 860 and 6970 and never dropped below 60 FPS. So, you aren't that far off from being able to run at max. If I had to guess, I'd say it's the fairly low clock speeds on your 930 that's holding you back.

A $50 Scythe Mugen 3 will enable some nice overclocks for you.

 

[XenofeiThrice]

Well, I've read a lot about overclocking but have yet to try it. Seems straight forward.

What type of performance boost are we talking though. Going from the stock 2.8ghz to like a 4.0?

 

[mfenn]

You should see a linear improvement in CPU bound tasks. After taking the stock Turbo Boost into account, you're looking at a 33% improvement.