I recently began upgrading my computer, starting with the motherboard, RAM, and an SSD. I still have my old CPU and GPU and I have been debating what processor to upgrade to next that will not bottleneck my system. My ultimate goal it to completely replace my old computer so that I can have two computers - one gaming system - one media center system. I know my old system works great as a media center system (dual tv tuner, using Windows Media Center).
Here is my system so far:
mobo: MSI 970A-G45 (AM3, AM3+) $69.99 after rebate
RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 8GB 1600mHz 9-9-9-27 timing with 2T command rate (running at 1333mHz w/ my current processor, but also running at 1T command rate with slightly worse timings like 10-11-10-something, $29.99 after rebate)
ssd: Corsair Force 3 90GB SSD (550mbs write, 500mbs read), $99.99 after rebate
hdd: Two 500gb Seagate 7400rpm HDD's (from old system)
cpu: Athlon II X3 440 3gHz (unlocked core, runs as Phenom II X4 B40, 4 cores, overclocked to 3.3gHz, but no L3 cache)
gpu: Diamond Radeon HD 5750 (from old system)
os: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM
case: CoolerMaster Elite 430 (with additional 120mm fans)
psu: Antec 630 Watt (with 2 pci-e connectors)
hsf: CoolerMaster Hyper N520
With this system, I can run StarCraft 2 in high mode w/ no issues. I can also run Battlfield 3 in medium settings with no issues. Just for kicks, I bought both the MSI 560ti OC (1GB DDR5) and the MSI 6950 OC (2GB DDR5) and SC2 ran in extreme graphics with no issues and BF3 in high with pretty much no issues (except every time a big explosion happened right in front of me the game would crash... I blame BF3 though). I returned both because I just didn't do enough research at the time.
So I know in my old mobo (gigabyte ga-ma78lmt-s2h, AM2 and AM3 acceptable, DDR2 only) I have 4GB DDR2 800mHz and with the old CPU (unlocked but not OC'd) and the Radeon 5750, Windows Media Center works great (I have Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit installed on this system). But games not so great (SC2 and BF3 work best in low graphics mode). Windows Media Center even worked fine with the onboard graphics card with the unlocked Phenom II X4 B40 3gHz processor.
My question isn't straightforward though. I want to have two working systems. I know my old system will work with the old processor and onboard graphics. I know my new system plays my current games well enough (though looking to get Mass Effect 3 when that comes out, and probably Diablo 3... not really into MMORPG's though which I hear are CPU-heavy). So, here are my options:
Option 1: Buy a new CPU for my new gaming system
Problem: I would keep my old GPU for my new gaming system, and just use on board graphics on media system. But are the current AM3+ or AM3 processors worth spending the money on right now, or should I wait for Piledriver?
Option 2: Buy a cheaper, older CPU for my old setup for Media Center (this will get my by until better CPU's come out)
Problem: What if I spend the $60 or so on a cheap dual core AM3 processor and it isn't good enough? At that point, maybe I should just buy the FX-4100 for $100… but is the FX-4100 okay for games and at least a little future-proof with a nice vid card like the 560ti or 6950? Which I couldn't buy for another few months due to funds. But would the FX-4100 bottleneck a the 560ti or 6950?
Option 3: Upgrade both my CPU and GPU right now
Problem: Limited on funds to $200-250, which means something like an FX-4100 and a 6850… but will that be okay for future games? Are those two even a good matchup together? Which bottlenecks which?
NOTE: I already installed the Windows 7 64-bit OEM so I am stuck with my current mobo, which means AM3 or AM3+ processors only.
Here is my system so far:
mobo: MSI 970A-G45 (AM3, AM3+) $69.99 after rebate
RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 8GB 1600mHz 9-9-9-27 timing with 2T command rate (running at 1333mHz w/ my current processor, but also running at 1T command rate with slightly worse timings like 10-11-10-something, $29.99 after rebate)
ssd: Corsair Force 3 90GB SSD (550mbs write, 500mbs read), $99.99 after rebate
hdd: Two 500gb Seagate 7400rpm HDD's (from old system)
cpu: Athlon II X3 440 3gHz (unlocked core, runs as Phenom II X4 B40, 4 cores, overclocked to 3.3gHz, but no L3 cache)
gpu: Diamond Radeon HD 5750 (from old system)
os: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM
case: CoolerMaster Elite 430 (with additional 120mm fans)
psu: Antec 630 Watt (with 2 pci-e connectors)
hsf: CoolerMaster Hyper N520
With this system, I can run StarCraft 2 in high mode w/ no issues. I can also run Battlfield 3 in medium settings with no issues. Just for kicks, I bought both the MSI 560ti OC (1GB DDR5) and the MSI 6950 OC (2GB DDR5) and SC2 ran in extreme graphics with no issues and BF3 in high with pretty much no issues (except every time a big explosion happened right in front of me the game would crash... I blame BF3 though). I returned both because I just didn't do enough research at the time.
So I know in my old mobo (gigabyte ga-ma78lmt-s2h, AM2 and AM3 acceptable, DDR2 only) I have 4GB DDR2 800mHz and with the old CPU (unlocked but not OC'd) and the Radeon 5750, Windows Media Center works great (I have Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit installed on this system). But games not so great (SC2 and BF3 work best in low graphics mode). Windows Media Center even worked fine with the onboard graphics card with the unlocked Phenom II X4 B40 3gHz processor.
My question isn't straightforward though. I want to have two working systems. I know my old system will work with the old processor and onboard graphics. I know my new system plays my current games well enough (though looking to get Mass Effect 3 when that comes out, and probably Diablo 3... not really into MMORPG's though which I hear are CPU-heavy). So, here are my options:
Option 1: Buy a new CPU for my new gaming system
Problem: I would keep my old GPU for my new gaming system, and just use on board graphics on media system. But are the current AM3+ or AM3 processors worth spending the money on right now, or should I wait for Piledriver?
Option 2: Buy a cheaper, older CPU for my old setup for Media Center (this will get my by until better CPU's come out)
Problem: What if I spend the $60 or so on a cheap dual core AM3 processor and it isn't good enough? At that point, maybe I should just buy the FX-4100 for $100… but is the FX-4100 okay for games and at least a little future-proof with a nice vid card like the 560ti or 6950? Which I couldn't buy for another few months due to funds. But would the FX-4100 bottleneck a the 560ti or 6950?
Option 3: Upgrade both my CPU and GPU right now
Problem: Limited on funds to $200-250, which means something like an FX-4100 and a 6850… but will that be okay for future games? Are those two even a good matchup together? Which bottlenecks which?
NOTE: I already installed the Windows 7 64-bit OEM so I am stuck with my current mobo, which means AM3 or AM3+ processors only.