Keep i7-3770k, or upgrade GPU?

[ChriffeR]

Hey guys so I bought a 3770k and a gtx 960, the other day while I have my i5-2500k stored away. I can get my 2500k to 4.6ghz+ np and have reached 5ghz, and the temps are AMAZING. I swapped it to an i7 because I wanted to start streaming and for the future when games possible use an i7. I'm kinda not really digging the whole streaming situation and was wondering if I'd get more of a boost if I returned the CPU and got a better GPU, or keep the current set-up?

 

[spentshells]

A better gpu is always going to be the better option. sandybridge i5 and any high end gpu will give better performance.
If you can return that whole lot and just get one good gpu to go along with the 2500k I'd do that, BIGTIME.

That cpu at stock is fast enough to keep up to any card playing any game. amd 290's are pretty affordable these days, some places are clearing out the older 780's

 

[ChriffeR]

Yeah, I just went with the i7, for the whole " I have a i7 ".. Some ignorance displayed on my end haha. Anyway I'll have the extra money towards a GPU, Would you recommend a GTX 770? I'm not sure if it's even much of a bump over a 960, I could grab a GTX 970 but worried about the memory leak issue.. R9 290x's are only $315-330 here, the R9 290's are $260.

 

[ChriffeR]

I think I'll go with a R9 290x,

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428583/Radeon_R9_290X_Overclocked_4096MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30x16_Video_Card

 

[ChriffeR]

And I'll just wait for Broadwell, or most likely Skylake CPU's.

 

[spentshells]

Yeah, I just went with the i7, for the whole " I have a i7 ".. Some ignorance displayed on my end haha. Anyway I'll have the extra money towards a GPU, Would you recommend a GTX 770? I'm not sure if it's even much of a bump over a 960, I could grab a GTX 970 but worried about the memory leak issue.. R9 290x's are only $315-330 here, the R9 290's are $260.

IDK about ignorant. I bought a xeon for hyperthreading, I game quite a bit and didn't really need the hyperthreading, but it allows for some impressive encoding speeds, that's for sure.

970 memory leak isn't something to worry about,

The 770 is a pretty great card but for the price you can do much better.

The 290 is very close to the 770 pricewise but not performance wise.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1037?vs=1068

-note I am now an nvidia fan but would much rather tell you to get a 290.

 

[ChriffeR]

Would you recommend the 290x I just linked? The gigabyte

 

[ChriffeR]

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-VAPOR-X-PCI-Express-Graphics-11227-04-40G/dp/B00JJJW4Z2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1424062705&sr=8-7&keywords=r9+290x

Or this route?

 

[spentshells]

Absolutely!


But this is a better price and the same card. Only a little easier on the eye.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/430183/Radeon_R9_290X_Overclocked__4GB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_Video_Card

289 after rebate for an asus 290x is pretty awesome. Unless you are ordering online.

 

[ChriffeR]

Or this route!

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Graphics-R9-290X-LIGHTNING/dp/B00IZNE2ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424062705&sr=8-1&keywords=r9+290x

haha

 

[spentshells]

Or this route!

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Graphics-R9-290X-LIGHTNING/dp/B00IZNE2ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424062705&sr=8-1&keywords=r9+290x

haha

Not a bad price!

 

[ChriffeR]

Which one would you recommend? The Lightning or the gigabyte?

 

[ChriffeR]

In all honesty, I don't wanna watercolor a GPU, or fathom it. I know the 290x's do run relatively hot. Does this make enough difference to warrant getting a 970?

 

[Dylan Young]

Just go with a better gpu.

 

[Dylan Young]

In all honesty, I don't wanna watercolor a GPU, or fathom it. I know the 290x's do run relatively hot. Does this make enough difference to warrant getting a 970?

You can get one with an aftermarket cooler like the MSI Global R9 290X GAMING 4G

 

[ChriffeR]

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Graphics-R9-290X-LIGHTNING/dp/B00IZNE2ZS/ref=pd_cp_pc_1

Would this be the best purchase for a 290x, Or saving the extra money and going with the Gigabyte the better option?

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428583/Radeon_R9_290X_Overclocked_4096MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30x16_Video_Card

 

[spentshells]

id go with the asus I suggested if you can make it in store, otherwise the gigabyte will do quite nicely.

 

[Karadjgne]

Asus are solid. If there ever was a 'mule' Asus would be it. Gigabyte may be more of a racehorse comparatively but they are also louder and somewhat more finicky. Sapphire make the best AMD cards, EVGA makes the best nvidia cards (mostly) and no one can touch either for their service/warranty depts. For a gtx970/980 I'd do Asus, for a r9 290/290x I'd go Sapphire, for a gtx780/780ti I'd go Evga.

 

[ChriffeR]

What's your take on this? I know PNY isn't that popular anymore but that has a great price tag.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LZVNXKM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1424116028&sr=8-3&keywords=gtx+780&dpPl=1&dpID=416ysYkX3vL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

 

[Karadjgne]

I've never had any real problems with pny other than they tend to have short lifespans and you'd do well not to push the card hard. If it was a psu, I'd equate it to a corsair CX.

 

[ChriffeR]

What's your take on these two?

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11226-00-40G/dp/B00HJOKARI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424117412&sr=8-1&keywords=r9+290x+sapphire

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11226-00-40G/dp/B00HJOKARI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424117412&sr=8-1&keywords=r9+290x+sapphire

 

[Karadjgne]

Same card, but the Sapphire tri-x is an excellent card, it runs cooler than most and yet still performs at the top with noise levels closer to the quiet versions.

 

[Thunderballs]

So watercooling via a simple bracket and an AIO cooler is ..much more fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6M3zxfxUEc

 

[ChriffeR]

I mean, is the 290x worth the extra $ over a 290? I guess I'll water cool it lol.

 

[spentshells]

I'd pay the extra 40 dollars but that's just me.