What to upgrade, and why?

[dzgx216]

HI!

I'm new-ish around here and have been contemplating an upgrade to either my CPU or GPU. I'd like to know some other opinions on which direction to go and why.

I currently have a GTX 460 768mb for a GPU and was considering a move up to a 6870 or 7850 (probably the 7850)

OR

I have a Phenom II x6 1090T and was considering some move there (not sure what)

I've seen some of the 1gb 7850's for around $165 after rebates, haven't even started looking at processors yet.

I use a small form factor shuttle cube case so I have to be conscious of size with the graphics card or the CPU's cooling system. I use the small form factor case because I have to cram it into an enclosed area because my wife Is a nutcase neat freak, so ... bear these thoughts in mind.

Dave

 

[Eureka]

The 1090T should be good for a bit longer, is it overclocked?

Also, there's not much of an upgrade going to a 6870:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Are you actually running into issues with your 460? It's not worth it to upgrade if it isn't, since it's still a pretty good card.

Going from what you have, I would say aim for a 7870 2GB. You'll want the extra vram moving forward from here, 1GB is getting close to the limit for current games.

What resolution are you running at? The GTX660/HD7870 might be a good choice for you, and there's both a Zotac GTX660 and a Sapphire 7870 for $195 at Newegg right now (which is an alright deal if you want it now).

 

[NTMBK]

The 1090T should do you alright for a while. I'd say go for a 7850. Also, have you considered getting an SSD?

 

[tweakboy]

HI!

I'm new-ish around here and have been contemplating an upgrade to either my CPU or GPU. I'd like to know some other opinions on which direction to go and why.

I currently have a GTX 460 768mb for a GPU and was considering a move up to a 6870 or 7850 (probably the 7850)

OR

I have a Phenom II x6 1090T and was considering some move there (not sure what)

I've seen some of the 1gb 7850's for around $165 after rebates, haven't even started looking at processors yet.

I use a small form factor shuttle cube case so I have to be conscious of size with the graphics card or the CPU's cooling system. I use the small form factor case because I have to cram it into an enclosed area because my wife Is a nutcase neat freak, so ... bear these thoughts in mind.

Dave

that is signs of COCD. computer obsessive compulsive disorder.

 

[notty22]

The 1090T should be good for a bit longer, is it overclocked?

Also, there's not much of an upgrade going to a 6870:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Are you actually running into issues with your 460? It's not worth it to upgrade if it isn't, since it's still a pretty good card.

Going from what you have, I would say aim for a 7870 2GB. You'll want the extra vram moving forward from here, 1GB is getting close to the limit for current games.

What resolution are you running at? The GTX660/HD7870 might be a good choice for you, and there's both a Zotac GTX660 and a Sapphire 7870 for $195 at Newegg right now (which is an alright deal if you want it now).

I concur. A GTX 660 or 7870 would be decent jumps in performance. If you don't o/c your video cards, the higher clocked 7870's VS 7850's will give you that extra oomph. Same with higher clocked 660's. Go with the 2GB's at this point. Worth the initial investment.

 

[BrightCandle]

I also concur, you have a modern enough processor to get more benefits from a GPU than from the CPU for gaming.

Bumping both will bring more consistency but if you are just doing one then definitely the GPU.

 

[Puppies04]

Depends on your resolution....

 

[moonbogg]

I also concur, you have a modern enough processor to get more benefits from a GPU than from the CPU for gaming.

Bumping both will bring more consistency but if you are just doing one then definitely the GPU.

I am also in concordance with the concurrences of the consensus.

 

[Arkaign]

I am also in concordance with the concurrences of the consensus.

Agree.

Also buy a 2GB variant, no reason to go for 1GB now. Higher-resolution displays are only getting cheaper and cheaper, so definitely go 2GB even if you currently only have a 1440x900 or 1680x1050 display.

 

[dzgx216]

The 1090t is Oc'd to like 3.6 stable with no voltage changes.

ahhh, but of course I'm an ass and I forgot to mention my monitor is a 48" 1080p 3dtv. Which I'm guessing the 768mb of my 460 is probably the biggest possible bottleneck.

The SSD has occurred to me, but I wasn't too sure how to decide what to put on the SSD as opposed to leaving on a standard drive.

I would say that I am running into issues here and there being able to run on high to ultra settings with some games. (final fantasy XIV couldn't run ambient occlusion at all).

I get some bogging here and there, but with my play habits its almost an eccentricity to have much more than what I have to be honest. I play some MMO's when I can, and dabble into games like AC3, COD: BO2.

I'm using the fact that we need to build a PC for my 6 year old to have her first rig for school as a reason to upgrade some of my components. I feel the GPU would benefit her the most as the pass-down card for her at this point would be my old Nvidia 7900gt without a gpu upgrade and she gets a radeon 4870 if I rep the 460 and put it in. Her CPU choices are a Phenom 2 955 BE if I upgrade from the 1090t or an Athlon 2 X4 640 if I don't.... so... she will probably end up with a2 640 and a radeon 4870... good enough for anything she would throw at it I hope.

The Vram issue was my main concern, I can't seem to find much good in the way of the 2gb cards unless I go 7850 or higher... plus, I was thinking of using AMD because of the discount Tridef gives to AMD users so I can convert any game to 3d.

I think you're all right though, 2gb card minimum. In the general experience of things, is it feasible to OC a 7850 to near 7870 levels as I've read? Might just go that route and pick up a good 7850 / 7870 in the next 30 days.