Looking for better graphics

[sdhawks]

What do I upgrade? Not entirely happy with GPU heat nor the x58 IOH heat issues (they are under control however). I want better graphics higher performance. I'd like to run Crysis3, Guildwars2 and Anno 2070 maxed. Wasn't too impressed with the quality of graphics with the system when it was new in 2008 playing Crysis Warhead. Don't get me wrong it was great but I think I expected a step up like SD TV to HD TV. Is this achievable from where I'm at?

Intel i7 920 2.66ghz
Asetek 200mm LC
MSI x58 Platinum CF/SLI
ATI Radeon 4870x2 2gb DDR5
12gb Corsair 16000mhz (6x2gb)
LG 22x DVDRW
NZXT Zero 2
Ultra Cyberpower 680w PSU
Samsung SynMaster p2450

 

[FinneousPJ]

Start with a HD7970 3 GB. Add a second one if it feels inadequate. Hold off CPU upgrading - do attempt an OC however.

 

[jd_w98]

According to the GPU hierarchy chart (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html) You should go at least 2 teirs higher than what you have. I recommend, like finneousPJ, a radeon 7970 and to overclock your CPU so theres no bottleneck. The 7970's overclock like crazy too so you don't need a GHZ edition. Here's a great one with an awesome fan on sale for $380 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

 

[andrewcarr]

I second that. If you're in the US you can pick this card up.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

You'll want to try overclocking the new GPU and the CPU.

If you chose to add a second you'll also want to upgrade the PSU.
Here are the good models, it's then up to you to chose how much you would want to spend.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151108
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139040

 

[Kindredsouls]

What do I upgrade? Not entirely happy with GPU heat nor the x58 IOH heat issues (they are under control however). I want better graphics higher performance. I'd like to run Crysis3, Guildwars2 and Anno 2070 maxed. Wasn't too impressed with the quality of graphics with the system when it was new in 2008 playing Crysis Warhead. Don't get me wrong it was great but I think I expected a step up like SD TV to HD TV. Is this achievable from where I'm at?

Intel i7 920 2.66ghz
Asetek 200mm LC
MSI x58 Platinum CF/SLI
ATI Radeon 4870x2 2gb DDR5
12gb Corsair 16000mhz (6x2gb)
LG 22x DVDRW
NZXT Zero 2
Ultra Cyberpower 680w PSU
Samsung SynMaster p2450

Not sure what your budget is, but for a significant upgrade in performance and a good price/performance ratio I'd suggest a AMD 7870 2 GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150605

I'm more of an Nvidia person, but that is a really great card. From what I've heard Nvidia cards are lower on the power consumption and heat. I'd recommend a 660 TI or 670. Right now though, AMD will give you a little more bang for your buck.

 

[djosbun]

How much are you looking to spend? I just ordered the Radeon HD7850 2gb from NewEgg for under $200 + $20 mail-in rebate. It's a good mid-pack video card!

 

[sdhawks]

I'm more concerned with realistic visuals. I really want to see better graphics to be honest. I would sacrifice performance for stunning visuals. My budget could go from $200 to $400 based on the increase in quality output. Does my monitor need to be considered if visual appeal is the most important aspect?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Obviously your monitor plays an integral part.

 

[sdhawks]

Obviously your monitor plays an integral part.

Yeah I know just wondering why nobody has called out this monitor for an upgrade.

 

[MC_K7]

I am not sure what you mean by realistic visuals. If a game was designed to look cartoonish for example, upgrading your monitor and GPU won't suddenly make it looks like it's real people.

Usually people upgrade their GPU to achieve better FPS, but it won't make games necessarily look different. Unless you were playing on very low settings and suddenly are able to max out every options. But with a 4870x2 you're probably playing on "high" or "very high" settings, so changing to "ultra high" for example won't make such a huge difference.

Same thing with the monitor, maybe if you have a CRT and suddenly make the jump to a 27" IPS monitor than the difference would be night and day. But since you already have a decent 24" Samsung monitor changing for a better one might increase the quality a little bit, but don't expect your games to look totally different.


*** Edit: Sorry I just came across that review for your monitor and they say it's not the best for gaming so it might make a bigger difference than I thought to upgrade it, but I'm still not sure what are your expectations and how big the difference will be to you:

http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/samsung-syncmaster-p2450h/4505-3174_7-34079047.html

 

[sdhawks]

don't expect your games to look totally different.

Well for instance when I got this system I was impressed but not blown away. At that time Crysis was supposed to be one of the more realistic life like games out. It was beautiful, but not nearly what I expected. I have seen in game video of Crysis3, its impressive. I have seen in game videos of other games using CryEngine 3, they are impressive.

Maybe I'm expecting too much still even though visuals have come a long way.

 

[sdhawks]

Basically I don't care how I get there but I want this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWvgETOo5ek

 

[FinneousPJ]

Well, first you have to wait for the game to be released

 

[sdhawks]

Well, first you have to wait for the game to be released

LOL yes I do!

 

[MasterMace]

Rundown

Your processor fits a socket, that your motherboard has. To upgrade the CPU, you upgrade the motherboard. The RAM is 1600mhz which means it's DDR3 and will be fine. However, you're using 6 slots of RAM where LGA 1155 socket motherboards only have 4 slots.

Graphics can be upgraded. PSU will be fine at 680w. $200 is too small to upgrade the CPU+Mobo+Graphics. When you upgrade for gaming, you want a 1:2 from CPU:Graphics costs. This means you're looking at a CPU under $133 and a graphics under $266 if you were to upgrade both.


You're using an i7 920. That's just under the performance of an i5-2300. Your closest upgrade is an i5-3330 (3.0ghz) at $190 (newegg price). This means you cannot upgrade both for under $400.

The performance upgrades you seek will be found in Graphics upgrading. A 4870x2 is about equivalent to a 5870. The 6950 was a little better than the 5870, and the 7870 a little better than the 6950. The 7870 costs around $215.

The next card up, which is the first good upgrade is the 7950 for which you can find between $280 and $300. The better NVidia option is the GTX 670.


So I'm going to recommend
EVGA GTX 670 - $360 ($340 after rebate)

 

[andrewcarr]

First off don't listen to most of what is said above. There is absolutely no reason you need to upgrade your CPU. That is still a good model.

Secondly the 670 is a worse alternative to the 7970 and if you were to get one you wouldn't want a reference cooler as the one has that's listed above. You can get a non reference cooler 7970 for only $5 more. So why wouldn't you get a better card for such a small increase in price. There are the two I'm comparing.
670- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685
7970- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

 

[MC_K7]

I just came across that review for your monitor and they say it's not the best for gaming so it might make a bigger difference than I thought to change it.

http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monito [...] 79047.html

 

[andrewcarr]

His monitor is fine for gaming. It has a 2 ms response time which is great. It's just the colors that are off so everything is slightly turned green. This won't effect gaming just the picture quality.