What should I upgrade?

[Myu]

Hello. So, I've had this system from almost a year now. I bought it pre-built, but before you rip my head off, I only bought it pre-built after I found it for $700. At the time, the parts alone were over $1k. So, I saved +/- $300.

Anyway, It's worked pretty well for the past year, but I feel I should upgrade something. Am I right?


Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next month.

Budget Range: Under $400 but can go higher if it is a far better upgrade.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Games, LiveStreaming Via X-Split Via Twitch.TV, Photoshop

Are you buying a monitor: I might buy my 3rd 23inch, but I'm fine with what I'm running now.

Parts to Upgrade: I guess I'll list my system here.

OS: Win 7 Home Premium 64

CPU: Intel i7 2600K @3.4 / Sandy Bridge Socket 1155 LGA

RAM: 8GB DDR3 @ 663MHz (4GB x2)

Hard Drives:
1TB Seagate ST31000524AS SATA
My old Laptop HDD via an external USB case.

GPU: PowerColor Radeon HD 6850

MoBo: Gigabyte Z68AP- D3 PCI-Express

PSU: 600W

Monitors:
Acer S231HL (1920x1080@60Hz)
Acer S231HL (1920x1080@60Hz)
ORION (1280x720@60Hz)

(Want to replace the ORION with a 3rd S23)

Peripherals: Razer Naga. Razer Blackwidow. Astro A40's with MixAmp. A 5.1 Logitech System. and last but not least, my baby. My Yamaha 7.1 Surround Sound Receiver with 5' Floor speakers, 10inch Woofer, and the rest.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon, Tigerdirect. But, I'll buy anywere that is respectable and has a good reputation.

Location: PA, USA

Parts Preferences: Not really a brand fanboy. Whatever will work with what I currently have, or will replace.

Overclocking: Haven't yet, but no apposed to it.

SLI or Crossfire: If it's the best option, then yes.

Your Monitor Resolution: When I get my 3rd 23", I'd like to maybe Eyefinity it on some games.

Additional Comments: Just seeing whats worth upgrading.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: No real reason, just seeing if it's worth it or not. Just wanting some imput on what I should upgrade.

What I've been recently using the PC for is Livestreaming, gaming, and Photoshop.

Games that I'm playing: WoW, D3, Skyrim, and I plan on buying BLOPs 2 soon. Already have it on Xbox, but I like MW3 better on PC than my Xbox, so I want to test it out.



Thanks for taking a look. I'm not a complete PC noob, I was planing on building my current PC, but it was far cheaper to but it pre-built.

Please, let me know ever single thing you can think off. The more options/opinion the better. If it's better to just OC something, tell me. If it's better to completely scrap something tell me.

 

[Deemo13]

Well, are you lacking in performance in the games you want to play? The thing I would upgrade is the GPU.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I would get a 7970 or 7950, then maybe get better ram because it is pretty slow. I don't think the faster ram will do that much though.

 

[Myu]

Well, are you lacking in performance in the games you want to play? The thing I would upgrade is the GPU.

Not really. However, when I livestream, my FPS in all games drops about 20-30 or so. WoW, even being 6 years old is running at steady 70fps+ in open world, 125+ in instances on high-ultra. Skyrim is doing fine.

 

[Deemo13]

Well, if you want a good reasonably priced upgrade, I would go for the Radeon HD7870 or a 7850 if you want to spend less. They actually come in pretty cheap and will be really nice when you are going to run Eyefinity.

 

[Myu]

Well, if you want a good reasonably priced upgrade, I would go for the Radeon HD7870 or a 7850 if you want to spend less. They actually come in pretty cheap and will be really nice when you are going to run Eyefinity.

Any preferred "brand"? Sapphire, EVGA etc.?

And truthfully, I was thinking my GPU is the weakest "link" atm. It's what... 2 years old now?

Would the 7870 or 7850 stand up to some of the newer games coming out? Farcry 3, GTA 5 etc? I'd hate to buy it now, only to have it struggle the middle of next year.

Also, if anyone has any X-Split streaming experience please chime in on what could give me a good FPS boost hardware wise. My internet is fine enough to stream. 25D/10U.

 

[Deemo13]

Well, my GTX460 was the "weakest link" until I think Friday when I got my 570's for dirt cheap lol, and the 460 equaled the 6850 in performance.

If you want more peace of mind, you can make the jump to a 7950, which is one of the fastest cards you can get next to the 7970. Even at the 7870, you should be able to run all of these games on the highest possible settings.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

It also might not be a bad idea to try and hold off for a few months when amd's new series comes out.

 

[Myu]

Well, my GTX460 was the "weakest link" until I think Friday when I got my 570's for dirt cheap lol, and the 460 equaled the 6850 in performance.

If you want more peace of mind, you can make the jump to a 7950, which is one of the fastest cards you can get next to the 7970. Even at the 7870, you should be able to run all of these games on the highest possible settings.

Just from taking a quick look on Newegg the 7950 isn't that much more expensive than the 7850. Around $100 more. Then the 7970's are up in the $400.

Considering my 3rd monitor will run me $120-170 (depending on sales etc) and the Steam Holiday sale is right around the corner, I'm leaning more in the way of the 7950. Just so my wallet doesn't hate me forever. Damn you Valve!

The benchmarks are pretty good aswell. I think I might just pick up the 7950.

It also might not be a bad idea to try and hold off for a few months when amd's new series comes out.

Hmmm. The 8000 series. It's is about time for those to come out isn't it. Quick google search is pointing Q1 2013.

I could wait, but this ole 6850 is starting to show it's age. And I've never really been one to buy the newest of anything right away. (bad buggy, crashing experiences.) I'll sit on it for a bit. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Deemo13]

...and the Steam Holiday sale is right around the corner

The source of my wallet's demise.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

Just from taking a quick look on Newegg the 7950 isn't that much more expensive than the 7850. Around $100 more. Then the 7970's are up in the $400.

Considering my 3rd monitor will run me $120-170 (depending on sales etc) and the Steam Holiday sale is right around the corner, I'm leaning more in the way of the 7950. Just so my wallet doesn't hate me forever. Damn you Valve!

The benchmarks are pretty good aswell. I think I might just pick up the 7950.




Hmmm. The 8000 series. It's is about time for those to come out isn't it. Quick google search is pointing Q1 2013.

I could wait, but this ole 6850 is starting to show it's age. And I've never really been one to buy the newest of anything right away. (bad buggy, crashing experiences.) I'll sit on it for a bit. Thanks for the advice guys.

Yes that is true. There are probably some ram bottlenecks now. I don't know, getting it now or waiting isn't a bad idea either way.