Worth upgrading?

[harvey1]

hi, currently i have a 955, 6gb ram and 2x 4870 512. would i see much of a difference upgrading to an i5? or is a new gpu just needed? thanks

 

[mjmjpfaff]

what do you have the 955 clocked at?

 

[harvey1]

its just at stock 3.2, i have got a tuniq tower and adequate cooling to oc, but im just wondering if a new cpu and gpu would perform considerably better than my current system.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

ya it might perform somewhat better. but i would try and pray for 4.2ghz. if you cant get it then i would think about getting a 2500k. even 2 4870's are fine they are equal to about 1 570. maybe when nvidia and ati offer their 600 and 7000 series think about upgrading. how much money do you have to spend

 

[harvey1]

might give that a go then, got about £800 / $1300

 

[mjmjpfaff]

ya look around tomshardware and maybe post something in the overclocking forums asking about getting the 955 that high. someone should tell you exactly what you should do.

 

[harvey1]

thanks for the help

 

[mjmjpfaff]

to close the thread select the best answer.

 

[geofelt]

hi, currently i have a 955, 6gb ram and 2x 4870 512. would i see much of a difference upgrading to an i5? or is a new gpu just needed? thanks

I don't think you will see enough difference to change. But, I could be wrong.

To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

 

[harvey1]

for the first test there was no increase but there was a decrease of about 15 fps in the second test

 

[geofelt]

for the first test there was no increase but there was a decrease of about 15 fps in the second test

My conclusion is that your graphics are good, and your cpu is limitimg your FPS.
Your X4-955 has a passmark value of 3962.
A 2500K will be 6572.

Each of the above is without overclocking, and the 2500K will OC higher.
You can try overclocking the 955 and see how you do, but a longer term solution is the 2500K.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

well with the 955 you can hold off until ivy bridge then splurge on your system

 

[harvey1]

is the ivy bridge going to be using the same socket as the 2500k?

 

[mayankleoboy1]

yes. ivy bridge will be compatible with 2500k socket( LGA 1155).

you should try to OC the 955 further. wait atleast until Bulldozer launch, prefereably till ivy bridge launch.
the cost of an upgrade now wont give you that much benefit.