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PC upgrade help with decision

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Aneszej

So, you guys helped many people around here with PCs.
I've built myself computer like last year with these specs:

  • CPU: AMD FX-6100 X6 Black Edition
  • GPU: Ati Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5
  • Motherboard: GIGABYTE 970A-DS3
  • RAM: 8GB (2x4GB)
  • Powersupply: Power LC LC600H-12 600W

I was thinking of getting AMD's R9 280X, I can't go with 290 I don't have enough money. I want to play games at high/ultra on 1920x1080 resolution.
What do you think?
P.S. I live in Bosnia, and I don't have much choice, I can only choose from these 280X:

  1. Sapphire Vapor-X,
  2. MSI,
  3. Sapphire Dual-X
  4. Gigabyte.

So if you tell me to go with 280X please tell me which one to choose. If something is unclear please ask and I'll do my best to make it clear.
Btw: 280X around here in Bosnia is 600KM which is equal to something around 300€ and that's how much money I have.

1 decade ago*

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22 Comments
Schmalzler

I think fx8320/50 would be a much better choice for future games, since your current cpu would bore that r9 to death.

1 decade ago
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TRUCKER

Why don't you go ahead and research yourself a little? There are tons of benchmarks and tests for graphics cards, you can then proceed filtering out the one you want, depending on heat generation, cooling solution (Noise and efficiency), if the card is OCed more than others etc.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

I did, that's how I came up with 280X but I'm no pro, so I was asking for your opinion.
I compared graphic cards on hwcompare.com, saw some benchmarkings, I saw it's stronger than mine, and not so expensive.

1 decade ago
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TRUCKER

I am talking about comparision of the 280x cards, as the different manufacturers do different thing with the card.

1 decade ago
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TRUCKER

Personally I'd go with MSI

1 decade ago
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Noctis149

The 280X is not a huge upgrade over what you already have. If you are sort on money then I think it would be best to save up and buy something that would make a bigger impact a year from now.

1 decade ago
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SWKineo

It's about a 60% performance increase, without any overclocking. Waiting would be a good idea, but the 280x is still a pretty decent upgrade.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

Yeah, that actually makes sense. So what do you recommend? Wait a bit, collect more money and buy one of the stronger GPUs (that are currently strong), or wait more for price drops?

1 decade ago
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Noctis149

I think the best time to buy is 2 years into the console generation. At that point you should be able to get hardware that will easily last you for the generation at a fair price. If that is too much of a wait then at least wait for the next generation of GPUs as those will most likely feature a die shrink and with it a significant boost in performance. Your CPU is not bad but it's likely that in some cases it will be the bottleneck if paired with a top line GPU. Consider whether or not you will upgrade it at the time you are upgrading your GPU, not earlier.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

So in a year or so to upgrade PC?
It's okay, I don't need to upgrade now, I guess I'll wait that.
Thanks a lot for the tips!

1 decade ago
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marion695

r9 280X so much consuble power

1 decade ago
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Vardant

Your CPU is too weak for any better GPU, it would be a waste of money to upgrade to anything better.

Either upgrade to FX-8350 or change to i5-3570K with a new motherboard, something like ASUS Z77-A. Also, change the PSU immediately! That thing is a ticking time bomb.

I would go with Intel, you'll see a bigger gain especially in games.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

Can you recommend me any good but not that expensive PSU?

1 decade ago
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SCHUMI4EVER

Stay away from this first set of cards. It's the HD2900XTX all over again with them (at least with stock cooling), or if you prefer then it's AMD going Fermi. Rather wait for the refined cards that will be coming later on (likely to answer whatever nVidia has planned for March-April), or at least more new cards using the new architecture.

And you definitely need a new Power Supply either way cuz that thing is weak junk despite the supposed (max-rated, not continuous) 600W label.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

Okay, I'm not fan of AMD either, but it's cheaper option. We have high prices here and low payments in Bosnia. And we don't have much options for PC parts either.

1 decade ago
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Pony11

Your CPU even if overclocked to 4+ GHz is too weak for that GPU. Your current setup is OK for any game at high details if you disable HBAO/SSAO and those stupid consuming effects. Try saving your money and get a full PC on mid 2014.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

Yeah, seems like something other people recommended, thanks.

1 decade ago
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Thallassa

Try another power supply before that firecracker in your system fries your new graphics card...

1 decade ago
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Vardant

Mentioned it already, but this deserves more attention. That PSU needs changing ASAP.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

Yeah I've seen it, forgot to reply. I will, gonna check some of them.

1 decade ago
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bugwar2

Go with R9 280x from Gigabyte , it has 1 Ghz GPU clock and 1.1 Ghz Boost. R9 280x is a HD 7970 Ghz edition rebranded , so it much better than HD 6950.Your CPU will not bottleneck this videocard , even if you use stock freq.
Windforce 3x is a good cooler , my HD 7950 overclocked 1100/1500 it has 34 Celsius idle and 67 Celsius full load.
Take a look here , a HD 7970 overclocked with all processors in benchmarks.

http://lab501.ro/placi-video/gigabyte-radeon-hd-7970-oc-partea-iv-scalare-cu-procesorul

This site is in romanian language so you must translate it in english.

1 decade ago
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Aneszej

It's really slow site xD
Taking a while to load.
Gonna check it and will edit this post.

1 decade ago
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Closed 1 decade ago by Aneszej.