What GPU/CPU shall I look at buying? (want to run ultra)

[afatpigeon]

Hi guys,

I've been a console gamer all my life. When you have a go at PC gaming you immediately realise how much better it is...

Now, I've been playing games like Fallout NV and SWTOR and I'm ready to make the change from console to PC. There's a catch. I also want to be able to run games on 'ultra' and 'high', also HD. With my current components, it isnt going to be a cake walk and alot of money will have to be spent.

My components are:

• • 
    GFX card: GeForce GTX 550 ti (may need to mupgrade)
    CPU: AMD FX(tm)-6300 six core processor - speed = 3.5GHZ
    RAM: 8 gig (8.2 to be precise but 200 meg dedicated to the OS)
    OS: Windows 8 Professional (build 9200) - 64 bit
    Free disk space: 930.1 gig
  
  What should I look into buying? I also ask to keep it as cheap as possible.
  
  Thanks guys, look forward to seeing your comments.
  
  
  

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Your GPU generally governs the gaming performance, so it'd need to be upgrade. How big of an upgrade? That depends on your budget and the PSU you have, since a low wattage PSU can't sustain a high wattage card.

 

[Gutlesswolverine]

Get a better gpu like the 970 or 980.
How much are you willing to spend?

 

[drkatz42]

AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera 8-Core 4.0GHz $169
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

SAPPHIRE TRI-X OC 100362-2SR Radeon R9 290 $279
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202080

You have an excellent upgrade path with your AM3+ MB

 

[afatpigeon]

Get a better gpu like the 970 or 980.
How much are you willing to spend?

I'm willing to spend 150+ with a minimum of around 300 but I could push more

 

[afatpigeon]

Get a better gpu like the 970 or 980.
How much are you willing to spend?

Would you, and anyone else recomend the GTX 760 ti?

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Yes, GTX 760 Ti will be a considerable upgrade from your current GPU. R9 280 would be even better.

 

[Karadjgne]

Fx 8320,8350,8370 paired with r9 280,280x, gtx 770,970.
Get a good performing aftermarket cpu cooler, OC the cpu to 4.2+ and you'll have no problems with ultra on most games. Of course the higher end gpus will do it more comfortably, and may allow usage of anti-aliasing that the lower end cards will not.
Psu. Very important that you match the gpu with a better quality psu. You'll need a minimum of 550w quality psu, maximum of 650w. If you opt for a cheaper built psu I'd add 50-100w to the unit.

Budget? Ultra is expensive. $150 will not get it when considering cpu/gpu/psu. $300 may get it in a few games, $400 more than a few, $500 just about everything.