Current card 5770. Want to upgrade. Suggestions?

[Ago_Otaku]

Ok, here is the deal. I currently have a XFX 5770. I'm looking to upgrade but I definitely need some advice. Currently I can play almost anything without issue but I feel like the performance can be better. Just got Skyrim and I can run it on Ultra with no video lag or any issues at all BUT I still feel like it can be better. Also, when I play League of Legends I usually run 60 fps no problem but soon as a battle erupts and there are all sorts on units on screen with spells flying everywhere I dip fairly hard. Now I like to future proof my systems as much as possible meaning I don't want to have to upgrade in a year. I have no preference for ATI or Nvidia. Budget wise something in the $200 range will work give or take. Any suggestions?

 

[mightymaxio]

Sounds like a CPU bottleneck. Whats your CPU? because your graphics card is still pretty good about equivilent to a 460 gtx

 

[Ago_Otaku]

Currently running an AMD Phenom II x6 1055T 2.8 GHz. Also, other possible important info, I'm running 12GB DDR3 1600 ram.

 

[mightymaxio]

It could still be the CPU because the Phenom x6's were junk unless you overclocked the crap out of them. A overclocked Q6600 is better than a phenom X6 at that clock in League of legends because LOL doesnt use 6 cores.

 

[Ago_Otaku]

I had no idea the x6's were considered bad

So, maybe a CPU upgrade is in order? Perhaps an FX chip

 

[mightymaxio]

More cores wouldnt neccessarily mean better performance. I would recommend overclocking the x6 to about 3.4-3.6ghz. And see if that increases performance in LOL first because Fx wouldnt be that much better.

 

[Ago_Otaku]

I figured that upgrade wouldn't make a difference. I was just being silly

I will definitely try a bit of overclocking and see where it takes me. I still would appreciate some suggestions on some graphics card upgrades just in case the extra speed doesn't help.

 

[swifty_morgan]

the 1055 isn't junk. don't let the narrow minded let you think so. what monitor and resolution do you play at ?

 

[jaguarskx]

The Phenom II X6 isn't really holding back your performance unless you are playing at relatively low resolution. Most games are GPU limited not CPU limited as long as the CPU itself is not a bottleneck which the PII X6 is not. What resolution are you playing at?

Click the following two links for some CPU benchmarks for Crysis 2:

1280x1024 & 1600x1200 resolutions:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/crysis-2-dx11-vga-and-cpu-performance-benchmarks/5


1920x1200 & 2560x1600 resolutions:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/crysis-2-dx11-vga-and-cpu-performance-benchmarks/6


You should notice that as the resolution increases the performance gap between the PII X6 1100T and an i5-2500k / i7-2600k decreases.

 

[Ago_Otaku]

Monitor is an ASUS 22" 1920x1080 resolution.

 

[ilysaml]

Skyrim is a CPU whore, no matter what GPU you do have, you need to have a strong CPU to get a constant 60 FPS.

I have the 1055T @ 4.0 GHz and i got 60 FPS with my HD 6950 playing @ Ultra 1080P with everything pushed to the max.
So you need to OC your CPU, get a decent card such as the GTX 560ti or HD 6950 and you're good to go.

 

[swifty_morgan]

here are my suggestions. and the reason I chose cards with 2gigs of vram is your hint about slow downs when stuff gets hectic on the screen. you're running out of frame buffer. I have the 6950. great performer. both will run hot but both camps cards do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150530

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150563

 

[refillable]

X6 1055T is not bad. Just you need to O.C it. I think you didn't and this is why this occurs. Recommended to Over clock at 4.0Ghz, or if you really want to get a new GPU, get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130664

$210, without rebate. with rebate it will be $190.

 

[Ago_Otaku]

Best answer selected by Agtaku.