Please recommend an upgrade

fpga123

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Aug 31, 2011
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I am thinking of upgrading my SFF gaming rig which has the following specifications;
Core i3 2100
2x4GB G.Skill 2133Mhz
Gigabyte WindForce HD7950
120GB Kingston V300
2TB WD Red
ASRock Z77E-ITX
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 550W
Corsair H80i
Cooler Master Elite 130

I am considering a CPU and/or GPU upgrade and have the following options for upgrade within my budget (~$200) in my country;
Core i5 (2nd / 3rd gen) ($50-100)
Core i7 (2nd / 3rd gen) ($100-150)
HD7970 ($50)
R9 290 ($110)

If you think, I should really upgrade something else too, please feel free to mention.
 
Solution


A 4th gen CPU will require upgrading the motherboard.

To OP: An i5-3570k and R9-290 will be your best options.


A 4th gen CPU will require upgrading the motherboard.

To OP: An i5-3570k and R9-290 will be your best options.
 
Solution

fpga123

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I really don't have an option to change the motherboard as ITX form factor is not available here. To go 4th gen, I'll also have to buy a new casing, the motherboard and the CPU.
 

fpga123

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No, its new. The $110 is the amount I'll be paying at the end of the day, its more like $300-350, I am factoring the current sell price of my 7950 in it ($190-240).
 

MuchResearch

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Yeah totally agree with getting a gtx 970, check out some reviews its a pretty great card
 

fpga123

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They are considering the maximum peak power consumption which may exceed the envelope provided by the PSU in time. The R9 290 + i5 is definitely doable with 550W, if one doesn't do any overclocks but it is not a long term solution, as the PSU ages as does its capacity decreases. My PSU is couple months old so it may give a year with that card but definitely not more.