Hello all, long time lurker here with a few questions about my hardware setup. I am currently running an i5 2500k @ 3.3g on a gigabyte z68ma-d2h-b3 mobo with 8gb ram and a geforce gtx 560 ti 2gb vcard(384 cores). On max settings I get 40ish fps normally with dips below 20 during firefights, which is way too low obviously. So my first question... would I be better off upgrading to a more modern cpu, like an i5 3570 or should I go for a more powerful vcard, like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130932&cm_re=geforce-_-14-130-932-_-Product ? Or am I at a point where I need to just build up a new pc? My budget is around $200-$300 for the upgrade, otherwise I'll have to wait a few months to build a new pc. Thanks in advance!
I'm more interested in your entire setup. If you could list all of the parts in your computer, from your case to your hdd, It would help a lot. Use something like CPU-Z to help you determine your exact hardware. As for an upgrade, it sounds like you have a descent Motherboard, and CPU combo, so I wouldn't change those. I might find out if your CPU is Boosting to 3.7 GHz, so you know for sure it doesn't have to be upgraded. My recommendation would be to save your cash for a new PC, and instead lower your settings in the game.
Here is my parts list: Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240&Tpk=11-119-240 Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&Tpk=20-231-428 HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767&Tpk=22-148-767 Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171039&Tpk=17-171-039 Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...6305&cm_re=asus_vx238h-_-24-236-305-_-Product @ 1920 x 1080 res, running Windows 7 home 64bit. Also, I run settings around medium normally with almost no problems even during some hectic action. Appreciate your time.
As far as I can tell the only up side to a SSD is load times, and I dont see a reason to need windows 8. So yeah, guess I just save my pennies and build a new one for christmas or something. Thanks for the input.
I see that you'd just wait... but with the 980s being released last month, you can get a nice used 780 for under $300 right now. I got a 780ti SC for $400 last week.
I have the 780 Ti SC and I LOVE it. It won't be what I want in a year or so when Star Citizen finally comes out in all its glory but for now it more than meets my needs.
It's pretty great... went from mid teens-20s on a gtx 640 (went to a 750ti FTW last month but that only maxed my fps at 26 cause of cpu bottleneck) to a new computer and the 780ti means I gotta get a new monitor now... :-( but vsync has it locked to a perfect 60fps. With the 750 as a PhysX card the 780ti is routinely putting out 110-120 with heavy fighting in the 90s. I had to actually turn the vsync on cause it was really jumping since the card was dumping frames far faster than the monitor can show. If you get one... you will not be sad in the slightest. And unless you are planning on an upgrade to 4k or nvidia surround at 1440p (and even then the 3gb of vram would be able to handle almost max settings at 60 fps) it's going to never let you down. I still plan on getting a second one to do 144hz monitor, not only do I need to save up more money but I wanna see how these new gsync monitors stabilize in price once there are a couple different model released later this year.
This would be a long term upgrade for me. I won't be going 4k any time soon, even after Star Citizen finally comes out..... since the Mrs. the only time I am able to update is when something fails. She is having problems right now with her computer, so I plan on sliding the video card update into my computer, and giving her my old 560 Ti..... sadly I am long past keeping my computer state of the art.
Don't worry about "up to date" for gaming... the software peaked what the hardware can do about a year or two ago. It's going to take an entirely new generation of games to even fully realize the hardware potential. Which with consoles falling even further behind there isn't really going to be that big of a push for any time soon. Forget hyperthreading usage in any mainstream AAA title... they apparently built in a horrible CPU bottleneck into both consoles, which the xbox is of course worse but the playstation has one as well. There's been a few developers who've come out and said "don't blame us they games are subpar... the hardware is what is limiting what we can do" as far as resolution & fps. Just get yourself one and you'll be able to tackle anything at Ultra settings in 1080p with 60 fps (except maybe Star Citizen, which is a pretty unique exception) with vsync turned on to give you butter smooth veiwing.
