CPU or Graphics Upgrade

[nekomastermax]

Currently I've had the same set up for 2 years and its done me well, even till now with new big games coming out that demand a lot.

I can handle Medium Graphics but I do like to push my hardware until I can't get any higher without dropping down to maybe 30-40 FPS

This is my current set-up

OS : Windows 7 Ultimate
Case : Cooler Master HAF 920
Mother Board : ASUS M5A97 LE 2.0
CPU : AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE (Vanila Speed : 3.4 Ghz, OC'ed to 3.8 GHz Stable)
Cooler : Corsair H60 w/ Dual Fan Radiator (Fan - Rad - Fan)
Memory : 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz G.Skill Ripjaws X
GPU : Gigabyte GTX 570 Super Overclocked (Vanila Speed : 845 Mhz, OC'ed to 900Mhz)
VRAM : ^^ 1280 MB DDR3
HDD1 : Adata SX900 256GB Solid State
HDD2 : Seagate Constellation 2TB (SATA 3, AVG Speed 185 MB/s)
Opitcal : LG 24x DVD-Multi Burner
Network : Intergrated Realtek Gigabit Lan

I do play some heavy games like Skyrim with mods, GTA 5, Battlefield 4, COD Advanced Warfare, and FarCry 4, the only two games that give me some lag is GTA 5 if I enable all of the graphic and advanced graphic options, and Advanced Warfare (Lags a lot during cutscenes and some heavy activity)

I only have about 400-450 dollars to spend because I also have to get a drivers license, so even though I got a 700 dollar tax return, I want to get a good card without spending too much and not being able to get a drivers license.

I'd rather go with Nvidia since my current set up already has a GTX 570, but I don't mind AMD radeon, I just want somehting more powerful then my 570 super overclocked, with 2GB of vram or more and affordable.

 

[rcald2000]

Wait until June 16 which is when E3 is. AMD will announce new cards and then we'll see if Nvidia prices go down. But with your budget, I'd go for GTX 970 ($325 - $350).

 

[mrmez]

Best option is a new GFX card, but anything thats currently decent will be held back by that CPU, so consider upping the speed and the cooler if needed.

Currently I'd be looking at a GTX 970.

Keep in mind that as said, new AMD cards are coming out soon. Wait to see what they are and how they are priced.

 

[nekomastermax]

Only problem with both your solutions is that ive looked online for performance tests and the 970 is only a few points better then the GTX 570. Then Again at least 2GB of vram would be better then 1280MB of VRAM.

I'm not realy looking for AMD Radeon if I can, but if there if a good affordable Radeon HD thats better then the GTX 570 Super Overclocked under 400-450dollars (USD or CAD works) then I wont mind upgrading


I got my tax return today and while I have 500 after paying for my drivers licnese I'd liek to keep it at 400-450 dollars so I have some money left (hopefully for booze to celebrate)

PS : Sorry for my spelling/grammar... I made this reply after a few beers. BUT IM STILL SERIOUS ABOUT A VIDEO CARD. I'm sick and tired of lag on modern games on high graphics... But I dont want to break the bank

 

[mrmez]

I've got the 280x, that's significantly slower than a 970 and, 3Gb is only JUST enough. In GTA I have to turn settings down to avoid going over. Yes, going over seems to cause artefacts.

I think a 970 is an easy sell. See you hard you can run your cpu in the meanwhile.

 

[coozie7]

Think you guys are getting the GTX570 and 970 mixed up with something else, the GTX970 is a big, big upgrade over the GTX570: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html and has 4Gb of onboard memory, not 2Gb.
Like others have said, the current card is short on memory for some games, which is your current problem, make sure the Anti Aliasing settings are either minimum or off altogether as this is one of the largest users or VRAM and may help eliminate those glitches.
Old but still fairly good that Phenom ranks equal to my old i5 750: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,review-32901-5.html so it'll slightly hold back a GTX970 but be held back by a GTX960 class of card, so the R9 290 would be the best overall match unless you can find a 4Gb GTX770 cheap.

 

[nekomastermax]

Think you guys are getting the GTX570 and 970 mixed up with something else, the GTX970 is a big, big upgrade over the GTX570: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html and has 4Gb of onboard memory, not 2Gb.
Like others have said, the current card is short on memory for some games, which is your current problem, make sure the Anti Aliasing settings are either minimum or off altogether as this is one of the largest users or VRAM and may help eliminate those glitches.
Old but still fairly good that Phenom ranks equal to my old i5 750: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,review-32901-5.html so it'll slightly hold back a GTX970 but be held back by a GTX960 class of card, so the R9 290 would be the best overall match unless you can find a 4Gb GTX770 cheap.

My GTX 570 Can run GTA 5 OK-ish but multiple online replorts state that the 970 single GPU is only a little better then my GTX 570 Super Overclocked.

I guess the only way i"d get a btter upgrade is something more then 500 dollars, but I dont want to spend that much if I only get a few points more in video, unless I get something under 450 USD that has lots of memory, faster thena GTX 570, and under 450 bucks

 

[mrmez]

Not sure what results ur looking at, but a 970 KILLS a 570.

http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-970-vs-Nvidia-GTX-570/2577vs3156

970 is currently ranked 8th fastest card, 570 47th fastest.

As I said, a 280x is slower than a 970 and that only JUST has enough ram at 3Gb. If it had 1.2Gb like a 570 it would be crippled severely.