Upgrade GPU or whole system?

[bulletlynn]

Currently have
CPU: Intel i3 530 overclocked to 4GHz
Ram: 4gb of DDR3
GPU: 8800GTS 640mb
PS: Xclio 650 watt modular
Monitor: Acer 23" 1920x1080

Wanting to play games at max or close too it (BFBC2, Crysis, Dead Island, and BF3 when it comes out). Obviously I need to upgrade my Graphics Card and was looking at this Sapphire HD6950http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102949

So do you think if I upgrade to the HD6950 I will be ok? Or should I take the plunge and upgrade to i5 2600k too?

Will I see that much increase in games if I upgrade to the i5 2600k?

 

[ilikemacandpc]

First off, if you upgrade the processor, you are going to need a new motherboard.

A GTX 460 will be good enough when overclocked.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2010/07/21/overclocking-nvidia-s-geforce-gtx-460/1

Here's a good one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162055

Only $100 after rebates!!!!

If you want, add an ssd with the money you save. That will give you a huge system boot time and application launch time reduction.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

That's is a SATA III drive if you have sata 6.0gbps on your motherboard. It is backwards compatible with SATA II/SATA 3.0 gbps

So, together those are about the price of an HD 6950.

If you want a cpu and mobo upgrade, i have links.

i5 2500k:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

motherboard: ASUS P8Z68 LE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131773

you can't crossfire nor sli, but your psu does not have enough power connectors for that anyway.

 

[RazberyBandit]

Your motherboard doesn't support Second-Gen Core-i CPUs, so you can't just add a 2600K to it. Instead, you would have to replace the motherboard, too.

The graphics card is definitely the weakest link in your hardware chain. Even a $100-120 5770/6770 or GTX 550Ti would be a significant upgrade. A 6950 might be a bit of a stretch for an i3-530, despite your overclock. Still, it would offer a very drastic performance increase over the 8800GTS.

I think I'd find myself more inclined to pair a 6870 or GTX560 with your processor.

 

[geekapproved]

Your cpu will run with the fastest graphics cards out there so I say a HD6950 would be a good choice. And for god's sake get a new psu too.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Yeah grab a new PSU and Graphics card for now, and then you can always upgrade the rest of your system later on and keep hold of the new PSU and GPU. No reason to upgrade all at once

 

[escoe]

I run a 6870 on a corsair cx430 PSU with an i3 sandy

 

[geekapproved]

I run a 6870 on a corsair cx430 PSU with an i3 sandy

Thanks for sharing.

 

[bulletlynn]

Your cpu will run with the fastest graphics cards out there so I say a HD6950 would be a good choice. And for god's sake get a new psu too.

What is wrong with my psu? Will it not be able to handle a 6950?

 

[mjmjpfaff]

What is wrong with my psu? Will it not be able to handle a 6950?

no it will not 750w is needed. 4ghz with an i3 is very good. definitely enough for even bf3. what is your budget for upgrades?

 

[mjmjpfaff]

double post

 

[geekapproved]

Xclio is just not a very good psu. I guess it depends on which model 650w you have, some are slightly acceptable, the rest are junk.