Is it time for an upgrade?

Tipsy McSwagger

Built my PC just over a year ago and would like to know do i need to upgrade anything or am i fine for the next year or two?


Processor - Intel Core i3 2120 3.30 GHz
Cooling Fan - Akasa AK-CC7117EP01 K32 High Performance Intel Cooler
Motherboard - AS Rock H61M/U3S3
Memory - 8gb DDR3
Graphics Card - AMD Radeon HD 7700
HD - 500gb
SSD - Crucial M4 128gb
Windows 8 (64 Bit)

Gumbi

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Built my PC just over a year ago and would like to know do i need to upgrade anything or am i fine for the next year or two?


Processor - Intel Core i3 2120 3.30 GHz
Cooling Fan - Akasa AK-CC7117EP01 K32 High Performance Intel Cooler
Motherboard - AS Rock H61M/U3S3
Memory - 8gb DDR3
Graphics Card - AMD Radeon HD 7700
HD - 500gb
SSD - Crucial M4 128gb
Windows 8 (64 Bit)

That's up to you really. What specific 7700 series model do yo have? I'm guessing the 7770 (as opposed t the 7750 or something). Getting an appreciably more powerful graphics card might unbalance your setup a bit.

Tipsy McSwagger

It just says AMD Radeon HD 7700 series.

Gumbi

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

It just says AMD Radeon HD 7700 series.

Do you remember what model you bought?

Tipsy McSwagger

Had a look at the graphics card and this is the only thing on it,

tuxy

Run this to find out what gpu you have.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

I think the best thing to do is just keep playing what ever games you enjoy, when you have to drop graphic below medium setting to get smooth frame rates that's when it's time to upgrade. You will always end up spending more if you upgrade early.

Tipsy McSwagger

sorry about quality

tuxy

It's a 7770, it will run all the latest games at good setting but only at 720p. You may want to upgrade if you want to play graphically demanding games at 1080p.

What kind of monitor do you have and what games do you play or plan to play in the future?

Tipsy McSwagger

This is my current monitor http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005QVZ79C/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I play all the latest games on high settings including Bioshock Infinite, Far Cry 3, Tomb Raider etc. I have started Skyrim and modded the hell out of it but I can't find that sweet spot for ultra smooth gameplay, the FPS is over 30 but sudden turns make the framerate drop considerably.

uncle_sam_ie

I'd sell the 7770 and upgrade to a 7870. It would make a big difference.

BloodBath

Well skyrim is pretty cpu dependant as well but if you really want more performance now then a card upgrade would probably be best. There are some great deals at the moment like this for €200 delivered.

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/XFX+DD+Radeon+HD+7870+GHz+Edition+%28Tahiti+LE%29+2GB+GDDR5+Graphics+Card+%5BFX-787A-CNAC%5D+%2B+4+FREE+GAMES%21+?productId=55140

Tipsy McSwagger

BloodBath wrote: »

Well skyrim is pretty cpu dependant as well but if you really want more performance now then a card upgrade would probably be best. There are some great deals at the moment like this for €200 delivered.

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/XFX+DD+Radeon+HD+7870+GHz+Edition+%28Tahiti+LE%29+2GB+GDDR5+Graphics+Card+%5BFX-787A-CNAC%5D+%2B+4+FREE+GAMES%21+?productId=55140

There's a code for 4 top games with that card so maybe i could sell that on along with my 7770.

Tipsy McSwagger

Will probably get that card next month for my birthday.

Can someone explain to me the importance of a graphics card in relation to a monitor resolution?

Danger781

If you're looking for a card I'd advise this bundle instead: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=56&subid=1502

OcUK AMD Mega Bundle - GET Crysis 3, Farcry3, Farcry3 Blood Dragon, Tomb Raider, Simcity, Dirt Showdown, Sleeping Dogs & Bioshock Infinite FREE with Qualifying AMD Graphics Cards!!

tuxy

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Can someone explain to me the importance of a graphics card in relation to a monitor resolution?

The higher the resolution the more gpu power you need to get a good stable frame rate so the game runs smooth.

Your monitor is 1080p so a medium range card(about €200) should be just fine for all modern games. If you were gaming at 720p a budget card would do and if you were gaming at higher than 1080p you would have to spend serious money(€350+) to get good frame rates on demanding games.

Tipsy McSwagger

Have the money for a new graphics card and would just like to know should I still go with the XFX DD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition? Sorry to drag up this old thread.

SterlingArcher

Depends on the price really. Not a fan of xfx my self.

Gumbi

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Have the money for a new graphics card and would just like to know should I still go with the XFX DD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition? Sorry to drag up this old thread.

New or what? XFX as a company have a decent rep and apparently good customer care. But the DD coolers generally suck and they rarely have dedicated VRM cooling. I wouldn't go for it tbh. How much is being asked for it?

yawhat!

You will get by with a 7770 on medium to high settings at 1080P.

How much are you planning on spending?

Tipsy McSwagger

The 7870 is £155 but I would like to spend around that amount in euro. My 7770 is grand but has trouble playing some of the big games on high setting. I remember playing Tomb Raider and the setting for Lara's hair was a big issue believe it or not.

Gumbi

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

The 7870 is £155 but I would like to spend around that amount in euro. My 7770 is grand but has trouble playing some of the big games on high setting. I remember playing Tomb Raider and the setting for Lara's hair was a big issue believe it or not.

TressFX is what you're talking about, that's a taxing setting.

Grab a 270 for 130£ here, this is equivalent to a 7870, same chip. Much cheaper. You can overclock it a bit too. Decent cooler.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-245-MS

SterlingArcher

Gumbi wrote: »

TressFX is what you're talking about, that's a taxing setting.

Grab a 270 for 130£ here, this is equivalent to a 7870, same chip. Much cheaper. You can overclock it a bit too. Decent cooler.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-245-MS

This.

Tipsy McSwagger

Thanks guys, just ordered.

Tipsy McSwagger

Some guy on another site said the 270 is not really that great an update from my 7770. Should I cancel?

SterlingArcher

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Some guy on another site said the 270 is not really that great an update from my 7770. Should I cancel?

It is Twice the power of a 7770. Anything else will you will have to drop 200 euro +.

Tipsy McSwagger

Just spotted this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-338-SP should I go for it instead?

marco_polo

SterlingArcher wrote: »

It is Twice the power of a 7770. Anything else will you will have to drop 200 euro +.

^^ This.

The R9 270X is pretty much the same card with slightly higher clocks (so you as as well off to OC difference back yourself), so your next port of call would really be a €210+ GTX760).

Anadtech bench doesn't have the r9 270 but the HD 7870 is near enough identical for comparison purposes.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1034?vs=1079

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Just spotted this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-338-SP should I go for it instead?

It comes with BF4 for an extra tenner so why not. I'd probably get the MSI if you have no interest in the game but the dual X is a pretty good cooler as well.

Bit cheaper on Pixmania though (Seems to be free shipping according to the product page)

http://www.pixmania.ie/graphics-card/sapphire-technology-r9-270-oc-with-boost-battlefield-4-edition-2-gb-gddr5-pci-express-graphics-card/21852843-a.html

Tipsy McSwagger

The difference in FPS is crazy.

SterlingArcher

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

The difference in FPS is crazy.

You have it already? Or you looked at benchmarks.

Tipsy McSwagger

Looking at benchmarks

Tipsy McSwagger

Mind is made up. Going to save up a bit more and get a 280x.

marco_polo

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Mind is made up. Going to save up a bit more and get a 280x.

The is a big gaping R9 280 shaped hole in AMDs current lineup which used to be filled by the HD7950 Boost, but I haven't heard if or when they plan to fill that gap. The GTX 760 is the only card sitting in the gap between the r9 270X and R9 280x in the €200-220 range (You could consider a GTX 760 of course).

I don't know what plans AMD have but there might be more word on an R9280 over the next few weeks if you aren't buying straight away, and if it was anything like r9 270 vs 270X the non X version would likely be the better value option..

Tipsy McSwagger

http://www.pixmania.ie/search/280x/9-103-772-xx-xx-xx-xx-relevancy-desc-1-10-page.html

What 280x should i get?

Or is this a good cheaper alternative http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nvidia-GeForce-DirectCU-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B00DM9B6FO/ref=sr_1_8?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1390592428&sr=1-8&keywords=280x

Gumbi

The Dualx for 275 is decent, but you can get them a lot cheaper via HWVS via Geizdhals. THe 280x is faster than the 760 by a nice bit.

The HIS cooler is very good. http://geizhals.de/his-radeon-r9-280x-ipower-iceq-x-turbo-boost-clock-h280xqmt3g2m-a1014167.html

And the DualX is slightly cheaper, but a slightly inferior cooler. http://geizhals.de/sapphire-radeon-r9-280x-dual-x-oc-11221-00-20g-a1012405.html

Shipping from Hardwareversand is 19 euro.

Tipsy McSwagger

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-246-MS

Ordered this. Thanks for all the help guys.