New gaming build? Advice needed

[Kylro]

I'm planning out my next build as I want to get a new PC in the future, so I want some advice. I want to include a r9 290x as I am going for a more high-end build. I can probably spend around 1000-1200$ but it will vary, but make the builds around that price range. I play basically ALL sorts of games, but I will be playing next-gen and want to play at 900p maxed on my games. I don't plan on overclocking or anything, I game alot so I just want to have smooth framerates with most games maxed, if not all. I am buying from Canada so they will be shipped from US/here.

Thanks.

Current build:

8gb Kingston Ram
i7 3770 CPU
Sapphire 7970 Dual-X
CX 750m PSU

 

[mfenn]

I guess you're looking to upgrade the current build? You're not going to get a completely new machine that includes an R9 290X ($600 CDN) for $1200 CDN and maintain any semblance of balance.

Luckily there are two things going for you:
1. You already have competent machine that can be upgraded
2. 1440x900 is a pretty low resolution that is easy to drive.

Can you list out all the parts in your current machine and what games you're unhappy with? From what I can tell of your current setup, it should be blasting through any current game at 1440x900 all max.

 

[DSF]

Your rig is slightly better than mine and I play BF4 at a higher resolution than you with no problem.

I agree with mfenn that you're going to have to be more specific about what the problem is. If you're just hoping to upgrade to stay ahead of the curve for when the next generation of games comes out, that's a sucker's bet. Wait until the games drop, evaluate your needs, and then spend as necessary to get the performance you want.

 

[Kylro]

Well, some weak parts in my system are my motherboard (some random Intel board) as I actually took a Acer machine and just switched some parts out. Some games such as Day Z, Arma III and BF4 (during the beta) had some lag and I have to play on normal to get a stable framerate. Is it possible to switch to a newer motherboard? That and some other smaller things are the only weak points in my system. Do you guys think that my rig will last for another few years with the newer he names being released? The 7970 was dropped in 2011 so I figured I would need to upgrade soon. My case could fit a larger motherboard because I bought a new one to upgrade the crappy Acer one. Also, last time I check the r9 290x was only around 500?

Thanks.

 

[Kylro]

Also I play at 1600x900 but I will end up buying a new monitor eventually so I will play at 1080p.

 

[DSF]

The motherboard has very little to do with performance.

I just don't see how it's possible that you have to lower the settings so far to play at a relatively low resolution. Your computer is still competitive. As I said, I play BF4 on high at a higher res without a problem.

 

[Kylro]

Define without a problem?
I'm a bit of a neat freak with FPS, so we may have different opinions on things.

 

[Tequila]

Might help if you run some benchmarks and post the results because your system should be perfectly fine for BF4 especially if you get the 290x. Your cpu is fine, no need for an upgrade. In fact after running some Metro Last Light benchmarks I was pleasantly surprised that my older i5-760@3.6Ghz is only 3fps behind an i7-3770K @4Ghz with same exact video cards as tested at ocaholic. Using http://www.ocaholic.ch/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1168&page=13 same settings and cards I scored 40.79fps vs 43.82fps for the i7.

Try some of these benchmarks

Unigene Valley 1.0 for an overall synthetic score
Metro 2033 or Last Light if you have one of those.
I don't know of a standard BF4 benchmark. If anyone does let me know.

Create a free account on imgur and setup an album with benchmark screenies. Really easy to do. See mine at http://imgur.com/a/dyQEB

 

[mfenn]

A 7970 GHz Edition is essentially the same thing as an R9 280X, AMD's current $300 card. An upgrade to even the top end like an R9 290X or GTX 780 wouldn't be that big of a jump, certainly not worth the asking price.

Also, I couldn't find an R9 290X for $500 CDN, they lowest I saw was $600.

 

[MongGrel]

Bought a R9 280X last Thanksgiving, for what you're doing should be more than enough it looks so you could spend a bit elsewhere I'd think ya.

Even the non TOP versions of an ASUS like I grabbed for 330 then and was a TOP are going $390 still there though I guess.

Did they phase the TOP out? looks pretty similar.