Next upgrade? Your thoughts!

[whatdidyousayman]

Hey guys, I'm looking at possibly upgrading my computer and I was looking on some input as to what I should upgrade next (i'm thinking the cpu/mobo but always open to suggestions). I mainly use the rig as a gaming machine (Starcraft, Warcraft, WoW, Aion, EQ2, Metro2033, TF2, L4D2, League of Legends, Fallout, Alien Swarm, etc).

Current Rig:
CPU: Intel e8400 @ 3.6ghz on stock cooling
GPU: Sapphire 5770 1GB (2) in Crossfire
MTB: Asus P5Q Pro P45
SSD: Intel 80gb x25-M
HDD: 640gb Caviar drive
RAM: 4GB Corsair XMS 800 DDR2 (have another 4GB kit but 1 stick is DOA and the other stick I took out so the memory bus runs dual channel; never RMA'd the extra stick, guess I should eh)
PSU: Antec Neopower 500w (has 3 12v rails and I have no issues with the 5770's in xfire)
CASE: Antec Three Hundred (getting stuffy in there, have 2 fans in the front 1 in the back and the 1 on top is off because I don't like computer dust being thrown into the air)

Monitor: Dell 2005FPW 20.1" Widescreen Monitor (12ms refresh rate, but great angles, and i've never noticed 'ghosting')
Speakers: Monsoon flatpanel MH505 speakers (only 2 running atm, using an old crappy creative labs subwoofer since the Monsoon sub died a couple years back)
Keyboard: Logitech Wave
Mouse: Logitech MX518

 

[Sp12]

Probably:

i5-760 210$
P55 mobo with x8/x8 100-140$
4GB DDR3 80-100$

5770 crossfire is very powerful, and I don't see any glaring issues with anything but the proc. You could even just get an aftermarket cooler and try for a higher OC.

 

[Zargon]

if the mobo supports it the q9550's are pretty beefy, but they run 200+ bucks in their own

 

[whatdidyousayman]

Hey, thanks for the replies. I have added the motherboard to my list; it's an Asus P5Q Pro (P45 board). Also, I should mention I'm willing to spend about 500 dollars on upgrades. I don't believe in future proofing, but this would be something I'd be running for the next year.

 

[mfenn]

The only reasonable thing I could see upgrading on that system is the CPU. 5770 CFX running at 1680x1050 is already ridiculous overkill.

Also, flip the top fan on your Antec 300 around so that it is intake. You'll see much better cooling performance.

 

[whatdidyousayman]

Hmm, will look into flipping that fan around. As far as the CPU, I'm seeing about 17000 in 3dmark 06 with the the e8400 and 5770's in crossfire. I have seen some much better scores with the same crossfired cards, so I figured my CPU was hampering me. I figure a lot of that is due to DDR3 and 3 channel memory.

 

[mfenn]

Hmm, will look into flipping that fan around. As far as the CPU, I'm seeing about 17000 in 3dmark 06 with the the e8400 and 5770's in crossfire. I have seen some much better scores with the same crossfired cards, so I figured my CPU was hampering me. I figure a lot of that is due to DDR3 and 3 channel memory.

Yes, that's pretty much what everyone is saying. CFX 5770's are going to be massively CPU limited by an E8400 at 1680x1050. DDR3 and triple-channel memory might make some difference, but most of the difference you're seeing comes from the fact that an i7 is just way faster than an E8400.

 

[whatdidyousayman]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll probably go the i7 route then. Any sweet spot (price/perf) cpu in that region?

 

[Sp12]

Actually, the i5-760 is the same architecture as the i7, just without hyperthreading.

The 'best' i7 is probably the 870, 875K, or 980X (out of your price range). The i5 will have the same or better performance in game, but worse in video encoding.

 

[mfenn]

Actually, the i5-760 is the same architecture as the i7, just without hyperthreading.

The 'best' i7 is probably the 870, 875K, or 980X (out of your price range). The i5 will have the same or better performance in game, but worse in video encoding.

Yeah, I should have said "Nehalem" instead of "i7". OP, I would get the i5 750 (or 760 depending on the price differential). You can get the MSI P55A-G55 to go along with it as well as 4GB of this RAM.