Any suggestions?

[TechNewby]

Good day everyone,

I have been happy with my current rig for quite some time now and it will hold me for the time being. but I fear that in a few months an upgrade will be necessary.
 

Current rig:
- CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970 3.5GHz

- RAM: 2x Kingston 1333Mhz 4Gb

- MOBO: MSI 890GXM-G65

- GPU: MSI GTX760 Twin Frozr 2Gb

 

The GPU was a recent purchase - hardly a month old - but I get the feeling my rig is restricting it's full potential. I am no computer tech genius, but I suspect that my mobo is the biggest restricting part of them all.

I was looking for a new motherboard - sorry saying mobo too much makes me sound a bit ghetto, so I'll just stick to motherboard form here on - but I struggled to get stock at the suppliers surrounding me. With that I decided to move to Intel - yes this is going to take a bit longer to buy, but I like the thrill of getting to upgrade my pc and also enjoy games like League of Legends and Battlefield 4.

Before I start naming the parts I have been looking at, I just thought it well to provide you with a little more information. Because I am living in South Africa, our currency exchange is currently at: 1$ = R10.54. We do pay quite a huge some for import taxes & tariffs, by the looks of it computer parts are one of the products which suffer the most when it comes to these taxes as well as the transport of getting it from our ports to the mainland - I live in the central area of ZA, so the prices also increase - even when shopping online and shipping directly from the coast.

I pulled the following prices (ONLINE) just to give you a comparison:
 

 

$ = USD (www.pricegrabber.com)

R = ZA (www.pricecheck.co.za)

 

1. MSI GTX760 2GB OC

• $280 - $320
• R3 600 - R4 000

2. MSI Z87 MPower Max

• $230 - $340
• R3 900 - R4 300

3. ASUS Z87-Deluxe

• $285 -$ 420
• R3 900 - R4 400

4. MSI Z87 Mpower

• $200 - $203
• R3 300 - R3 700

5. ASRock Z87 OC Formula

• $238 - $400
• R4 100 - R4 300

 

The GPU as you can see is the one that I have, but the motherboards are the ones that I have considered. I do not mind waiting and saving money to buy one of these, I just want to make sure I buy something worth the wait and the money.

Before this post gets too long, I better give you the rest of the info which you need.

I was looking at the i5 4440 3.1Ghz Socket 1150 - as it fell within a decent price range - please provide me with any other suggestions if you think I am making a mistake.
You can also see I have been looking at the Z87 range - I only chose those specific ones as they either stood out, or I could get them for a better price considering what they offered.
I also have been seeing a lot of people who recommend the Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H - but is it worth it? Lastly I would like it to have atleast 1 x (PCI Express 3.0 x16) and more PCI Express 3.0 slots so I can SLI later on - WHEN/IF NEEDED. This is only so I have room to upgrade in the future - I do not like restricting myself with build options, but I was arrogant when I bought the current rig - this is why I am reaching out to the masters - you guys and gals that are willing to help.

So please look at the price range in USD, look at what is worth the extra buck and I will worry about the costs on this side - unfortunately one can not let the cost get ahead of your dream build, am I right or am I wrong?

I deeply appreciate any and all help, even if you just view the thread.
Many thanks,
M

[dragosudeki]

I don't understand the high end mobo with an okay CPU (and its not unlocked). At least where I live the difference between that CPU and 4670k is about $30, in which you can get by getting a sub $200 motherboard with a good processor. Whats the price difference for those two chips for you?

[TechNewby]

So you agree with the mobo choices I have made?

The difference between the 4440 and the 4670K is R600 or approximately $73 - still worth the buy?

[WoodenMarker]

So you agree with the mobo choices I have made?

The difference between the 4440 and the 4670K is R600 or approximately $73 - still worth the buy?

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

 

The motherboard has no effect on performance.

Is your current performance unsatisfactory? 

[TechNewby]

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

 

The motherboard has no effect on performance.

Is your current performance unsatisfactory? 

Thanks for that haha.

So basically I can go with the MSI Z87-GD65 - save a little cash - and buy me an i5 4670K?

I wouldn't say completely unsatisfactory. I don't mind playing games on medium or high, but it would be nice to have a rig that can sustain round about 60 fps minimum with explosions, effects, etc.

'Cause I'm playing BF4 currently and I can run it on high with an average of 60 - 40 fps which is okay - depending on the map and the amount of explosions, I just put it on medium, but I also play CoH 2.

Now because CoH 2 has such amazing effects it doesn't feel right playing it in a graphics setting which doesn't reveal its true beauty.

Same for Tomb Raider, that game's graphics is amazing and I would like to experience it's full potential without losing some valuable FPS.

[TechNewby]

I don't understand the high end mobo with an okay CPU (and its not unlocked). At least where I live the difference between that CPU and 4670k is about $30, in which you can get by getting a sub $200 motherboard with a good processor. Whats the price difference for those two chips for you?

So you agree with the mobo choices I have made?

The difference between the 4440 and the 4670K is R600 or approximately $73 - still worth the buy?

[harrynowl]

So you agree with the mobo choices I have made?

The difference between the 4440 and the 4670K is R600 or approximately $73 - still worth the buy?

Well the boards you listed are high end overclocking boards and you're rolling a locked CPU.

 

Either get a cheaper Z87 board and a 4670k or just get a B85 board with your 4440 and save a lot of money,

[TechNewby]

Well the boards you listed are high end overclocking boards and you're rolling a locked CPU.

 

Either get a cheaper Z87 board and a 4670k or just get a B85 board with your 4440 and save a lot of money,

 

And what about a MSI Z87-GD65 with 4670K?

[harrynowl]

And what about a MSI Z87-GD65 with 4670K?

I'd just get a GD45-Gaming or a Z87 Sniper with a 4670K and call it a day:)