Upgrading Z77 build and how??

[lukasdesign]

Dear all,

I own a Z77 build from the year 2012 (if I remember correctly)

Asus Z77 Pro Mother Board
8GB 1600 Corsair Vengeance RAM 1600
Intel i5 3770k @ 4.3Gz stable
Noctua NH-U12P SE2
Corsair 650Watt Gold PSU fully modular
256M Samsung SDD
1TB HDD WD green
Asus 670GTX Direct CU II
Corsair Graphite 600T case replaced original fans with some "be quite!" fans

Eizo FS3331 IPS 1080p Screen 60hz


with Witcher 3 and some other nice titles around the corner I would like to upgrade my system.

However I have a ton of questions:

If I plug in a Asus Strix 670gtx or maybe even 980gtx would those cards be limited by my CPU and or PSU? So would it make sense to replace CPU and Motherboard as well? If I get the latest generation of Intel i5 k CPU would I notice a difference in games?

If I replace the CPU could I continue using the cooler? Would it make sense to start replacing for example case fans? Or thermal paste? All those things are in place since September 2012 every now and then I use some canned air to blow the system out...

I have an eye on the new Asus/Acer +120Hz 27" IPS screens. So I guess a 980gtx would be the way to go.

thanks to all for reading and answering me .-)

 

[LucoTF]

Your current CPU could easily handle a gtx 980, no need to upgrade CPU for a couple of years at least I reckon

 

[prettyflvcko]

Dear all,

I own a Z77 build from the year 2012 (if I remember correctly)

Asus Z77 Pro Mother Board
8GB 1600 Corsair Vengeance RAM 1600
Intel i5 3770k @ 4.3Gz stable
Noctua NH-U12P SE2
Corsair 650Watt Gold PSU fully modular
256M Samsung SDD
1TB HDD WD green
Asus 670GTX Direct CU II
Corsair Graphite 600T case replaced original fans with some "be quite!" fans

Eizo FS3331 IPS 1080p Screen 60hz


with Witcher 3 and some other nice titles around the corner I would like to upgrade my system.

However I have a ton of questions:

If I plug in a Asus Strix 670gtx or maybe even 980gtx would those cards be limited by my CPU and or PSU? So would it make sense to replace CPU and Motherboard as well? If I get the latest generation of Intel i5 k CPU would I notice a difference in games?

If I replace the CPU could I continue using the cooler? Would it make sense to start replacing for example case fans? Or thermal paste? All those things are in place since September 2012 every now and then I use some canned air to blow the system out...

I have an eye on the new Asus/Acer +120Hz 27" IPS screens. So I guess a 980gtx would be the way to go.

thanks to all for reading and answering me .-)

You won't get any improvement upgrading to haswell i5 lastest processor, your CPU is still a very powerful CPU. Only thing I would upgrade in your build is the graphics card and PSU. You have two choice.

1st choice
You get a new powersupply(800watt or more) and you add another GTX 670 wich is still a very decent GPU
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438018

2nd choice
You keep your current PSU sell your current GPU and get a GTX 970 or GTX 980

Asus +120Hz 27" IPS screens are some VERY great monitors, if you plan getting a new GPU it's the way to go.

 

[lukasdesign]

I would like to exlude any form of SLI at the moment

So i guess I rather plug in a 970 GTX or even 980 GTX

In this case I could easily afford the 980Gtx as I can keep MoBO, CPU and PSU

Would you guys recommend reapplying thermal paste after those years? I use my PC often but not 24/7 and so far the system is very stable. Regardless that I overclocked the CPU to 4.3 Ghz with the Asus tools

 

[prettyflvcko]

I will would like to exlude any form of SLI at the moment

So i guess I rather plug in a 970 GTX or even 980 GTX

Always go with a bigger more powerful GPU if you can afford it than two weaker GPU's

 

[LucoTF]

I would like to exlude any form of SLI at the moment

So i guess I rather plug in a 970 GTX or even 980 GTX

In this case I could easily afford the 980Gtx as I can keep MoBO, CPU and PSU

Would you guys recommend reapplying thermal paste after those years? I use my PC often but not 24/7 and so far the system is very stable. Regardless that I overclocked the CPU to 4.3 Ghz with the Asus tools

I don't mess about with paste until temperatures become an issue. It can take years

 

[prettyflvcko]

I would like to exlude any form of SLI at the moment

So i guess I rather plug in a 970 GTX or even 980 GTX

In this case I could easily afford the 980Gtx as I can keep MoBO, CPU and PSU

Would you guys recommend reapplying thermal paste after those years? I use my PC often but not 24/7 and so far the system is very stable. Regardless that I overclocked the CPU to 4.3 Ghz with the Asus tools

Same for me I wouldnt touch the thermal paste for now if it doesn't need to, also you could push you CPU a little more higher if you have the right cooling.