Upgrade Dilema

[NSdeadly1]

So I've got the upgrade itch again but I'm stuck on what upgrades to make. My system doesn't really struggle with any of the games I play but I'd like to step up to some newer tech to get ready for some of the newer more intensive games that will be coming. So my question is, Do I keep my current cpu/mobo/ram (can be seen in system specs) and step up to newer more powerful gpu's? Or do i just go ahead and do a full system upgrade? I'll be reusing my case/cooler/ssd and hard drive along with all my peripherals. I'm thinking i'll have a budget of around $1500, give or take a little.

Forgot to mention I'll be keeping my current ram as well. System is used primarily for gaming.

[Pabz0r545]

I think most would advise waiting for Ivy bridge. I believe it is right around the corner. Are the 6870's in crossfire not performing well enough? I would think you could get another year out of those? Sounds to me it should be fine for your single monitor gaming. On the other hand if you are really itchin you might wanna do a complete overhaul

If you are going to keep your ram, psu, hdd and case you can easily afford pretty much new everything for $1500

Ivy Bridge CPU/Mobo = ~450-500
GTX 680 = 500
Shiny new 120gb SSD = ~160-200

... and that leaves you with a lil room to burn on extra goodies.

[dandelioneater]

Or get a moderately priced: p9x79, sabertooth, gd65, or ud3 2011 board and the i7-3820.

[NSdeadly1]

The 6870's in crossfire aren't struggling yet, but i'd like to upgrade before they do. A friend of mine has offered me his 2 ASUS gtx 570's for a really good price so i may go that route. This biggest thing for me right now is do i wait for Ivy Bridge or do i go for SB-E system. Out of the 2 i'm sure the x79 chipset will be more "future proof" but it's also more expensive. Not that i can't fit it into my budget though. If i go Ivy then that will free up a few bucks for some other goodies... you see my dilemma lol

[Dzzope]

Unless your getting a VERY good price on the 570's I wouldn't bother.. 2 6870's should be more than enough at 1080

In fact, I wouldn't consider upgrading at all if I were you.. but then some people have more of a bug for the new shiney than others..


If your really set on Buying then I would sell your whole rig (or take out what you want to keep and put something ok in, eg hdd's ssd's PSU etc)
And then sell it as a x-fire custom gaming rig.. (or take 1 card out and sell separate).. Otherwise you'll lose allot of bucks on that rig and there really isn't any games that will stress it too bad (at your res)

[Bond007]

Given you current setup I wouldn't do anything yet either.

I wouldn't go to the SLI 570 given the 680 performance and cost.

If your XFire 6870 are serving you well I would wait till they start to cause you a problem, because by that time there may be a newer card out that will give you more performance for the same money as what you can buy now.

As for the CPU/MOB upgrade...a new processor would help some, but your OC i5 is by no means lacking.

Going to a 2011 MOB and CPU is going to be a waste given you are only using your computer for gaming and I am guessing you don't have intentions to go 3 or 4 way SLI/XFire.

My conclusion...do nothing until you need to. If you do feel you have to upgrade I would wait for ivy bridge and go for a i5/i7 k series from the new CPUs when they come out and grab one of the new MOB that are coming as well (I believe its Z77) and a gtx 680 (could get that now and put it with the new CPU/MOB when you do get it). You could also just get a gtx 680 and call it a day.

[MARSTG]

Originally Posted by NSdeadly1

This biggest thing for me right now is do i wait for Ivy Bridge or do i go for SB-E system (?)

If you don't fold, you don't need the SB-E. So best idea would be to wait for IB.

[Adzsask]

570's aren't really a good price yet, I would wait to upgrade until your system is in need of some more performance, you should be able to get another year out of the GPU's, as for the rest of the system there is absolutely no need for more power to game.(other then more graphics in the future). I would do what I am already doing hahaha, wait for next gen processors and look for deals on better graphics.

[NSdeadly1]

Thanks for the input guys. I think i might just upgrade what i have for now(as for the 570's i can get them ridiculously cheep :) ) but i might go for a pair of 7870's and a 6gbs ssd and call it a day. It's going to depend on Ivy bridge though, i'll wait and see what they're like when released. As for x79, as tempting as it is i don't think i really need all the features that it offers. It'd be just expensive overkill lol

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by NSdeadly1

Thanks for the input guys. I think i might just upgrade what i have for now(as for the 570's i can get them ridiculously cheep :) ) but i might go for a pair of 7870's and a 6gbs ssd and call it a day. It's going to depend on Ivy bridge though, i'll wait and see what they're like when released. As for x79, as tempting as it is i don't think i really need all the features that it offers. It'd be just expensive overkill lol

How much are you talking when you say ridiculously cheap (if you don't mind saying)?