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Upgrading system

B

btadler

Member
Greetings. I last built this computer in 2013 and even though it is running fine I have this compulsion to upgrade it. Is there anything I can do to increase performance without doing a complete overhaul? I know I can change out the GPU but any other suggestions would be helpful. Most hardware challenging games I play are Crysis 3, BF4. They work okay with the current setup but everything can always be better.

Mobo: AsRock Z77 Pro4
CPU: Intel i5 3570k
GPU: Radeon 7870
PSU: OCZ 700w
HDD: Seagate 1TB
SSD: Samsung 120 Mb
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8Gb Ram
 
btadler said:
I know I can change out the GPU but any other suggestions would be helpful.
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Yep, that's one thing, and probably would make the biggest difference.

Otherwise, are you overclocking? Do you have an aftermarket heat sink/fan on that CPU?

What model of Samsung drive is that? An 840? If so, have you run the program Samsung provided to restore performance on that drive? (Won't help your gaming much, but it's free.)
 
I have the CPU overclocked already @4.2 and am using the Hyper 212 EVO heatsink. The SSD is an 840 and no I have not run the program for restoring performance but I definitely will. As far as GPU's go, which would you recommend? Would be willing to spend about $500 for a new one.
 
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I'd recommend the GTX 980 for $500.

An upgraded/larger SSD is an option as well. 128GB limits how many programs you can install. Some more SSD space means you could install more programs/games to it and get a snappier response in loading them, as opposed to the HDD.
 
btadler said:
Greetings. I last built this computer in 2013 and even though it is running fine I have this compulsion to upgrade it. Is there anything I can do to increase performance without doing a complete overhaul? I know I can change out the GPU but any other suggestions would be helpful. Most hardware challenging games I play are Crysis 3, BF4. They work okay with the current setup but everything can always be better.

Mobo: AsRock Z77 Pro4
CPU: Intel i5 3570k
GPU: Radeon 7870
PSU: OCZ 700w
HDD: Seagate 1TB
SSD: Samsung 120 Mb
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8Gb Ram
Click to expand...

GPU upgrade might be worth it if you play a lot of Crysis.

What is your budget for upgrades?
 
sm625 said:
Buy a 6700K. Or just delid and OC to 4.5GHz?
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Which would require me to buy a new mobo at which point I might as well just build a new system.

Total budget for upgrades I would like to stay under $600. I am guessing this will probably get me a decent graphics card and thats about it. But if there are any other suggestions that would be good.
 
btadler said:
Which would require me to buy a new mobo at which point I might as well just build a new system.

Total budget for upgrades I would like to stay under $600. I am guessing this will probably get me a decent graphics card and thats about it. But if there are any other suggestions that would be good.
Click to expand...
I'd probably get a bigger SSD. A nice 500GB model should be under $200, giving you plenty of cash for a GPU that isn't quite top of the line, but still buries the 7870 by an embarrassing margin.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
I'd probably get a bigger SSD. A nice 500GB model should be under $200, giving you plenty of cash for a GPU that isn't quite top of the line, but still buries the 7870 by an embarrassing margin.
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This is a good idea. You can consistently find the Sandisk Ultra II, the Crucial BX100, and the 850 Evo in 500 GB capacities for SSDs for < $180. You could step up to a 390X for the leftovers.

Alternatively, if you have plenty of SSD space still, you could jump into an R9-Fury or a GTX 980.
 
Don't upgrade. Save the money $600 for future over haul in a few years. Your computer is still way better than most computers out there.
 
I'm still pretty happy with my system. I'll second the SSD + GPU upgrade idea, but you really could just stick that money in the bank and save it for something else.
 
I'm in a similar boat. Considering upgrading parts of my system only leads me to realize it makes more sense to do a complete rebuild late 2016.
 
burninatortech4 said:
I'm in a similar boat. Considering upgrading parts of my system only leads me to realize it makes more sense to do a complete rebuild late 2016.
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I am starting to think this may be a good idea too. THough I am seriously considering a 500GB SSD in the mean time. You make the rebuild easier if I can just move whole drives with data intact at the time I build a new system.
 
btadler said:
I am starting to think this may be a good idea too. THough I am seriously considering a 500GB SSD in the mean time. You make the rebuild easier if I can just move whole drives with data intact at the time I build a new system.
Click to expand...
Don't forget to sysprep. ()🙂
 
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