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Resolved Question

Need help to choose next upgrade

by Nov 23, 2013 11:53PM PST

My current system is as follows:
-Motherboard ECS socket FM1
-AMD A8-3870K (stock CPU speed but GPU oc'ed to 700MHz)
-4GB RAM 1600MHz

I don't plan to pay much and I want a medium-range gaming PC, I've considered either buying an entire new PC (this one is pretty new though) or just more RAM and a discrete video card.

Let's start with the video card, I've seen these:
-AMD 7750 for USD154
-AMD 7770 for USD185
-AMD r7 250 for around USD160 (I don't know about AMD r series)
-nVidia GT 640 for around USD150
-nVidia GT 650 for USD190
-nVidia GT 450 for around same price as GT 640
-nVidia GT 460 for USD180
-nVidia GTX 550ti for USD200
-nVidia GTX 560 for USD200

Also, if I only buy RAM + video card, do I need to upgrade my power supply for any of these cards? (using a standard 500w)

And that's the maximum I'm willing to pay for a single video card. Now moving to PCs, I'm willing to pay for:
-Intel i5 4430 (entire PC) for USD575 (with a HD2500)
-Intel i5 3330 (entire PC) for USD485 (with a HD2500) (is it worth the much higher price for the 4430?)
-AMD A10-5800k (entire PC) for USD476
-AMD A10-6800k (entire PC) for USD509 (is it worth the upgrade from 5800k to 6800k?)

Must remember that by buying the Intel PCs I'm going to need to buy a discrete video card (would have to wait for that)

What should I buy and why? I don't do much intensive gaming (but I game a lot) and sometimes I've to use virtual machines with Windows Server 2012 (in case you think my CPU isn't good enough for this)

Discussion is locked

bloooddrunk has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
8 Posts
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Clarification Request
Tell me more detail about that 4GB RAM.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 24, 2013 12:11AM PST

The AMD Trinity A8 and higher do deliver good gaming for the buck HOWEVER you do want to install memory in pairs to get the memory bandwidth up to where the games will be as good as possible.
Bob

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RAM details
by bloooddrunk Nov 24, 2013 12:28AM PST

It's a 1x4 GB Mushkin using XMP-1600 (800MHz with 8-8-8-24). I think I need to change it because my motherboard doesn't fully support it (takes it as 1333). I'm planning to buy a 2x4 GB 1866 Kingston.

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With a single stick
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 24, 2013 12:39AM PST

That would hobble the performance.

As to your fully support comment, it has been fine forever to put in faster memory than the host supports. For me I'd try a 1.x GB Mushkin second stick and enjoy removing some of the shackles this AMD A8 is experiencing.
Bob

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A8 supports only 1866 officially
by bloooddrunk Nov 24, 2013 12:44AM PST
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And we can do that.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 24, 2013 5:18AM PST
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260x will be then
by bloooddrunk Nov 24, 2013 7:28AM PST

As the 260x is the only one that I'm willing to afford (the others are much more expensive here) I think that will be the one I'm gonna buy along with the G.SKILL 2x4GB DDR3/1866 RAM

Thanks for your answers!

Best Answer

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Start with the ram
by Nov 24, 2013 6:39AM PST
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231550

That should get you a nice bump in perf.

Keep in mind the Igp uses system ram.....so you want that ram as fast as possible.
With the Igp and the OS using system ram I would not go less than 2x4GB for gaming.
Test.

If game perf is still not what you want then you move on to a Gpu.
Depending how high up that ladder you go it may require a Psu upgrade.
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RAM is gonna be first then
by bloooddrunk Nov 24, 2013 7:23AM PST

I want a huge improvement in games (more than just 20FPS at medium-low on FarCry 3 DX11 for example)

Any of the GPU I mentioned would require a PSU update?

Thanks for the comment!

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