PC Build Help

[dubstepftw99]

Hi, I was wondering should I only Buy a MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB, or Buy a new motherboard so I can put an Intel i5-4570 processor and also buy the MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB. My question is, should i pay the extra money for a new motherboard just so I can get the i5-4570 or should i just use the extra money i would save not buying it and spend it on a more expensive graphics card. I dont know how much of a performance boost I would get by upgrading my current processor to the i5, and if its worth it to buy the motherboard as well, (wanting to play high or ultra in most games at good fps). Hopefully someone can give my some advice or suggestions Thanks!

Current GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5850
Current CPU: AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1090T Processor (6 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Current Motherboard: Asus Crosshair IV Formula.

 

[smorizio]

your better off picking up a newer cpu and mb first. the 5850 should still be a good card till you can get the funds to replace it. the issue now is both nvidia and amd are holding back on there newer gpu. nvidia maxwell cards. I would not buy a newer gpu till the end of the year to see if and when amd or nvidia will drop there newer faster cards. on intel mb and gpu. I would wait a little bit. intel is dropping there newer brodwell cpu. they just drop a few newer haswell cpu. if you have to buy now look at the lock 4590 that 199.00 and a h97 mb. the x97 chipset let you drop in a newer brodwell if needed. the intel z mb will used if your over clocking or going to run two gpu.

 

[Ahmadjon]

I would get i5-4430 or 4440 and try to get R9 280X or GTX-770, i5-4440 costs around 180~190$ and good motherboard for that cost around 60~80$

 

[rhysiam]

That processor you have there is actually pretty capable. The Tom's CPU hierarchy has it in the top tier of AMD CPUs, and equivalent to a bunch of Intel CPUs. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html
In your build, your gaming will be held back far more by the video card and even with a 280, I don't expect you'd see big differences in frame rates between your current CPU and an i5.
If I were you, I'd definitely get the Video Card only and look at a better CPU/MB in maybe 2 years or so. I think your current system will do just fine until then.
Just make sure you PSU is up to powering a 280.

 

[Alex Mck]

The graphics card, hands down should be upgraded if you want to play the latest games on Ultra. But it would really help if you told us what games you wanna play.

 

[lunyone]

Well generally with wanting more gaming power, most of the time the GPU upgrade is the most important for better gaming needs. I personally would upgrade the GPU first (assuming you have a decent enough PSU to handle it) and then see what results that you have. If your not happy with the results than I would upgrade the other parts.

Assuming your PSU can handle the upgrade, I would seriously consider upgrading the GPU up to at least the R9 290 GPU, since it's the latest architecture from AMD. I believe the PhII x6 1090T is still a decent CPU to have.

So here are you options (as you stated) in a nutshell:

Just buying the GPU (assuming your PSU is good enough):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-19 23:29 EDT-0400)

Or system upgrade (assuming your PSU is good enough):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($182.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $512.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-19 23:28 EDT-0400)

 

[rhysiam]

I'm so surprised by the first two responses, from forum veterans too.

With respect, I think this a pretty straightforward question. A GPU upgrade will make far, far more difference to your gaming. I really don't think that processor would start holding you back greatly unless you're aiming for 120/144 fps with a top tier (or multiple) GPUs. I do hear what smorizio is saying about it not being an ideal time to invest in a graphics card, but IMHO that's no reason to replace a CPU&MB which is still very capable.

Compare lunyone's two options above. Going the Intel route costs ~$100 more and will result in significantly lower performance. A 290 and your current CPU would smoke a 280 and i5 in gaming... with very few exceptions.

 

[lunyone]

I'm so surprised by the first two responses, from forum veterans too.

With respect, I think this a pretty straightforward question. A GPU upgrade will make far, far more difference to your gaming. I really don't think that processor would start holding you back greatly unless you're aiming for 120/144 fps with a top tier (or multiple) GPUs. I do hear what smorizio is saying about it not being an ideal time to invest in a graphics card, but IMHO that's no reason to replace a CPU&MB which is still very capable.

Compare lunyone's two options above. Going the Intel route costs ~$100 more and will result in significantly lower performance. A 290 and your current CPU would smoke a 280 and i5 in gaming... with very few exceptions.

Yeah I was trying to point that out in my post. The i5/R9 280 GPU setup wouldn't/shouldn't out perform the PhII x6/R9 290 GPU setup. It is of coarse assuming the PSU that he/she has is good enough to power the R9 290 GPU.

 

[dubstepftw99]

I'm so surprised by the first two responses, from forum veterans too.

With respect, I think this a pretty straightforward question. A GPU upgrade will make far, far more difference to your gaming. I really don't think that processor would start holding you back greatly unless you're aiming for 120/144 fps with a top tier (or multiple) GPUs. I do hear what smorizio is saying about it not being an ideal time to invest in a graphics card, but IMHO that's no reason to replace a CPU&MB which is still very capable.

Compare lunyone's two options above. Going the Intel route costs ~$100 more and will result in significantly lower performance. A 290 and your current CPU would smoke a 280 and i5 in gaming... with very few exceptions.

Thanks man, yeah it was my original plan to just buy the 290 but i wanted to make sure