Upgrading computer

[Boyiee]

So I just came into some extra money recently from work and feel like spending it on something for my computer.

Currently my setup is

E8500
4870X2 gpu
4gb ram DDR2
Rampage forumula mobo
1x 10,000rpm hdd
1x 7200rpm storage hdd
750w thermaltake

I honestly hate my graphics card, have had a lot of issues overclocking this system, and think its time for a change. My first thought was, well, lets get an equal or better graphics card so I can get rid of some headache. This is most likely what I will do, however, since I'm in there I might as well upgrade my cpu, mobo, and ram to todays standards. Which is DDR3 6gb ram probably, i7 I suppose.

I'm not familiar with all the new releases out there right now, but I'm pretty sure I want to pick up a nvidia gpu, probably also going the route of an entirely intel board.

Basically my options are, 1) Just replace GPU, or 2) replace GPU/CPU/Ram/Mobo

I can spend 1k easily here, however I do NOT plan on overclocking this time around. I may OC it in the future, but for the moment it'll stay at stock. I'm running an antec900 case and I have a ton of cooling going on already incase I do decide to OC it, tuniq tower etc... but I probably won't install this at first as it's a giant cockblock.

What CPU should I be looking at? And what GPU will give me similar if not better performance than the 4870X2? The old parts I'm going to toss in another case I have sitting around.

Edit: As an added note, I run dual monitors 1920x1200 usually with BFBC2 on one with all programs/music/internet on the other. So I like to multitask and game lol.

[sruon]

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-225-_-Product

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-372-_-Product

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227501

Throw in a good motherboard (ASUS/Gigabyte) for like $200, keep current PSU/HDDs and that should be more than fine for around 1k.

[Cayos]

If you live near a Microcenter, get the i7 930 for $100 cheaper.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0331303

[Sieg]

CPU:
Check out the i7 860 and the i7 920 D0. The 860's Turbo Mode will let it perform better at stock but from my experience the 920 has a much easier time hitting higher clock speeds once you start OCing both chips.
So if you are only into light overclocking, get the 860. Otherwise, get the 920 and push it as high as you can. From the plans you have stated, the 860 sounds like the better choice overall.

If you are not planning to buy right away, you can wait for Intel's cheaper 6-cores. However, other than another two cores, you're not getting much on the gaming end.

GPU:
The GTX 480 is your best bet. Probably will want to do a TIM replacement(at least) or get an aftermarket cooler. They run pretty hot and loud. You would probably have to OC it a bit to secure a consistent lead over your 4870x2.
If you don't care about DX11 that much, picking up two cheap GTX285s is also an option. People might be selling theirs if they are upgrading to a 480/470.

BFBC2 does tend to favor ATI cards slightly so if that becomes an option for you, the 5970 would be an upgrade your 4870x2.

RAM/Mobo:
Unless you're planning to do some tweak heavy OCing down the road, RAM won't matter. Pick any 6GB/12GB set from your favorite company.
Same as above in regard to OCing. Pick any P55/X58 Mobo from your favorite company. Asus, AsRock, Gigabyte, etc...

[Boyiee]

I do care about DX11, my 4870x2 runs BC2 like shit because of DX I guess, so the 480 is tempting.

[Celeras]

+1 for GTX470. 480 is nice too, but pretty pricey and you can easily overclock a 470 to stock 480 performance.

As far as CPU goes, i7 920/930 is pretty much the standard recommendation nowadays. Two things to keep in mind:

-New intel processors are in the not-too-distant future, and will be using a completely different socket(BOOOOO INTEL) than current i7s.. so you'll need another new motherboard if you want to upgrade again.

-New AMD processors just came out, and while still a little slower than high end Intel processors.. they have two benefits. They're hexa(6) core at $300 and less whereas Intel hexa-cores cost nearly $1000, and are the same socket as previous Phenom CPUS.

Model wise, eVGA has my recommendation. Certainly for GPUs, and they make some nice i7 motherboards as well.

[Deadgye]

I do care about DX11, my 4870x2 runs BC2 like shit because of DX I guess, so the 480 is tempting.

BC2 runs like shit because it's BC2. :3

[Boyiee]

How loud are 470/480?

My 4870X2 can get pretty loud but only when I really pump the fan up.

My original idea was something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130552
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157163
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145221

Just threw things together to see the price. Really I want an upgrade to the 4870x2 and the cpu mainly.

@ above ppost, there are certain things about DX or my card that make map loading about 45seconds lol.

[Sieg]

HardOCP has a video of 480 idle/load sound that you can check out. Other sites have their own evaluation as well. Temps are around 50C idle 90-95+ load. TIM replacement can drop that about 10-15 degrees though.

And as for your level loading issue, are you using the 10.4a drivers? It fixes it.

[Boyiee]

I just got the 10.4 today haven't played since downloading.

[Celeras]

Everything is extremely loud at 100% fan in my experience, and the new fermis are no different. I don't hear my 470 under 70% in my case though. And with my custom autofan profile(can post if you want), I typically don't break 65-68% and keep temps in the mid 70s with a 700/925 OC.

Your idea looks fine, though 3 x 1GB ram is a pretty weird choice. I'd get at least 6GB+, and personally use 8. 3 is really nowhere near enough for Windows 7, and if youre not using 64bit yet you should be. Motherboard selection is also questionable, but I have no idea about it specifically. I can personally vouche for the eVGA X58 models though.

[edit] 10.4 only fixes the huge loading time for DX11, which shouldnt effect anything for you since you'd be running DX10.

[Boyiee]

Thought it said 3x 2gb, like I said I threw it together quickly wasnt paying much attention lol.

Anyway, a few different opinions it seems.

Which card do you think I'd be happier with going from 4870x2?

Looks like alot of choices on i7 models.

[Celeras]

920/930 for i7. Nothing else is worth it money wise, unless you're a baller and want to roll 980X.

470 is my recommendation, I don't think the 480 is fast enough to be worth the extra coin but thats entirely up to you. It's plenty faster and OCs just as well as the 470 when you decide to go that going. Also has the added benefit of being 'the fastest GPU available', which is always nice to have when you're upgrading. It's your call, can't go wrong with either, and getting a second of whatever you chose down the road for SLI is a nice upgrade path.

[Agito]

I'd go with the Phenom II x6 1090T paried up with the Crosshair IV Formula.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...3849&Tpk=1090t
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20iv%20formula
For video card, the 5870.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0Video%20Cards
And 2x2GB(4GB) of Memory, 1600 CAS 7 or lower.

[Boyiee]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130549 gpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227501 ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115225 cpu

seems to be final parts

Thanks for the advice, just need a mobo now.

[Agito]

Thanks for the advice, just need a mobo now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...132-BL-E758-A1

[Celeras]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-039-_-Product

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-049-_-Product

Largely similar, just compare the rear port/PCI slot specs to see the differences, and what you'd need.

[edit] Lol, when two people recommend the same thing at the same second, you know its the right choice ;p

[Sieg]

Off-topic:
Fixes it for both. Google -> "ATI 10.4a preview". 1st link. Since I can't post URLs yet.

On:
I have an Asus P6T personally. Friend has a Gigabyte UD5. Both X58 boards. There's also the Asus X58 Rampage II. Have not heard anything bad about evga boards either. Their X58 Classified is very nice (along with the price).

You might find the 470 a sidegrade at best from your 4870x2 in games with decent scaling. That being said, one card is always better than those sandwich cards. As much as I love nVidia's past stuff, its hard to support Fermi until there are some price drops.

[Boyiee]

That mobo seems extremely high priced =/ damnit lol

The cheaper one should be more than enough lmao.

[SaviorSelf]

If you have a microcenter near you, don't forget to check there. They have the i7 930 for $200 ($295 at NewEgg) and i7 920 for $180 ($275~ at NewEgg) until May 2nd I believe, so hop to it if you do go this route to save money.