is it a good build? and how "future proof" is it

[JFuentes87]

Hey guys,

So I need opinions on some parts. I'm putting together a build for a friend of mine using mainly old parts some of which aren't even a 6 months old. I have a few concerns on certain parts on how "future proof" they are and even currently how well will they be able to run most triple A games out now. (far cry primal, divison, black desert, etc.)

AMD 8320e
Gigabyte R9 270x OC edition
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P motherboard

I seem to be mulling the video card over more then the other parts.. would it be worth jumping up to a GTX 960 2GB?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Not very future proof at all, not even 'present-proof'

'Future-proof' (although I disagree with the whole concept) means at least VR capable, today. You need a lot better GPU for that, and I'd want a better CPU too.

That is a lower-midrange system and will struggle to reach Ultra, 1080p, 60Hz, single monitor on modern AAA titles.

What is your budget and where are you? We can then suggest better options, perhaps.

 

[DJSlofstra]

It all depends on what you take as Futureproof. This system will probably be quite good at 1080P for some time to come. To make it more futureproof for 1080P, I would suggest to install a AMD 280/280X/380 (4g)/380X (4g) as games demand more and more vram. Also I would use the non-e variant of the 8320, it's quite a bit faster. You may as well consider a Intel Haswell Core I5. They have gotten quite cheap since Skylake came out.

 

[JFuentes87]

Well I really haven't spent any money at all. The build was put together from parts I had from old builds. Just really worried about the video card and its capabilities with today's games. And although I'm sure it can run most games at med settings if not high, my worry is for how long? The build is for a friend that is giving up the console gaming for PC. So it'll be his first computer other then a low end laptop. Guess I can change the question to if I upgrade his video card to a 4gb gpu be it 960 or 280, can it get him a solid 2-3 years before he has to look into a new build or switching parts. And to follow that up if I didn't upgrade anything, how soon would it be before he would have to upgrade parts

 

[DonkeyOatie]

You have a very good motherboard so, with a decent CPU cooler, the snot can be overclocked out of the CPU for more speed and power. (The speed will be helpful for games) The GPU is the comparative weak spot, and needs to be as good as you can get, without going crazy. A 960, 280X, 380, or 380X, at the right price would all be good.

For medium effect 1080p 60Hz, single monitor, the upgraded system will work well for quite a while, except for the few inevitable games where the CPU is limiting.

 

[JFuentes87]

thanks for the info! greatly appreciated, I live near a microcenter, so I'll keep an eye out for deals they have on 4GB video cards, not willing to break the bank though

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Lucky devil. I use to live about tem miles from a MicroCenter. It is still the closes MicroCenter to me, but now over 500 miles away