gaming PC (2012) upgrade question (CPU/GPU)

GiZZi

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Apr 23, 2015
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Hi guys,

I currently own a gaming PC from 2012 with these specs:
CPU: Intel i5-3570k@3.4GHz
Mainboard: Asrock Z77 Pro3
RAM: 8GB Corsair DDR3-1600
Power Supply: Be Quiet 500W
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7800

I'm planning on upgrading this to a machine that is able to run GTA 5 and The Witcher 3 in (almost) the highest graphic settings @1080p.

1) Will an upgrade to a GTX980 do the job or is also an upgrade of the CPU (including a new MB) necessary?
2) Are 500W enough to run my setup with a GTX980?
3) Can you also give me some advice on a good GTX980 card to buy?

Thanks in advance,
Matthias
 

RazerZ

Judicious
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I third the 970 recommendation. Good price to performance compared to the 980.

Also if you wanted to squeeze some more performance out of your i5 you could look into a cheap $30 aftermarket cooler and go for a mild overclock given your motherboard. The performance gains going from Sandy Bridge to Haswell are marginal, you have no reason to upgrade your CPU.
 

GiZZi

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Apr 23, 2015
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Alright thank you guys. The reason I chose the 980 was because I wanted to have a card lasting the next years. But if you all think that a 970 is enough I'm cool with that. Any advice on a good card to buy?
 

Vice93

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Jul 3, 2014
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I'm using the MSI gaming one, really happy with it.
 

burbee

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Dec 14, 2012
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I sixth that lol BUT if you can afford a gtx 980, why not? It will probably last longer yeah and yes maybe the price/performance isn't that good at the moment but like I said: If you got the money to spend, it's fun so you can go for it!

I have the same CPU OCed to 4.3GHz by just setting the multiplier to 43 and voltage on auto :) I also have a GTX970 msi Gaming 4G version, it's very good!

EDIT: I have the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO cooler, very good one for like 25-30 bucks.
 

KrissT

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Either the Asus Strix or Msi gaming 4g
If you ser the Palit versjon DO NOT BUY since it suffers heavily og capacitor whine

If you have the chance get MSI, hadde it sine release and havent been happier. Tis also a good oc'er
 

Storm-cooled72

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get a 980. That will be future proof, and a great computing card as well. I recommend buying an i7 for witcher, and especially gta v. The i7-3770k, or non-k would play it great. I have the non-k, and it handles it great. Not that I suggest it, but I am selling my rig for 900, and if you put a 980, or even another 660, who knows?