Graphics Card and CPU Upgrade

[Mokomoko]

Hello folks! I am here to ask for your professional help. I am planning to upgrade my System. Here is a short overview why I need your help:

 

1. Budget & Location
I have a Budget Limit of around 700€ (equals 883 USD or 1017 AUD). I am from Germany (if that matters :lol: ).

2. Aim
I am using this PC mainly for programming and gaming. I play every type of game, from Minecraft to Skyrim up to Crysis - there is no limit.

3. Monitors
I have 2 different Monitor:

1. Samsung Syncmaster 226BW - (1680 x 1050)

2. Asus VH222H - (1920 x 1080) [Primary Display]

4. Peripherals
I am running Windows 7 and I don't need any peripherals neither am I using special equipment to control my PC. 

5. Why are you upgrading?

Probably the most important question. I was playing a bit of Sims 3, when I thought it might be a good idea to see how it would be to play it with every Expansion Pack. As you guys may now, there a lot of them. And I did install every possible thing you could for Sims 3 and then I had to turn down every graphics setting to be able to play the game. But now after hours of playing its starting to get unplayable again - and that is sad. I also can't run Minecraft without lag (well, who can?) and I have to make compromises when I play Skyrim. All in all I want a more powerful PC without investing too much money in new parts.

 

Now my final question:

I thought about getting an Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 or at leas an GeForce GTX 770 but I don't know if my current computer parts can handle that much swag   . I also thought of getting a new Processor, because else I might run into a bottleneck.

 

My current specs are:

CPU Typ: QuadCore AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965, 3245 MHz 

RAM: 8192 MB  (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)

Ram in detail is 2 times this: Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM  (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz)  (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz)  (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz)  (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6870  (1024 MB) 

Main SSD: Crucial_CT512MX100SSD1 ATA Device  (476 GB, IDE)

HDD 1: ST2000DL003-9VT166 ATA Device  (1863 GB, IDE)

HDD 2: ST3250824A ATA Device  (250 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)

HDD 3: WDC WD6401AALS-00J7B1 ATA Device  (596 GB, IDE)

Mainboard: ASRock 980DE3/U3S3

Power Supply: 750 Watt (8-Pin)

 

I am looking forward to your suggestions how I can optimize my PC Power without investing too much money  :rolleyes:

[minibois]

It's important to tell us what PSU you have, so we know what GPU we can recommend (8-pin or 6-pin connector stuff, ya'know?) 

[themaniac]

Hello folks! I am here to ask for your professional help. I am planning to upgrade my System. Here is a short overview why I need your help:

 

1. Budget & Location

I have a Budget Limit of around 700€ (equals 883 USD or 1017 AUD). I am from Germany (if that matters :lol: ).

2. Aim

I am using this PC mainly for programming and gaming. I play every type of game, from Minecraft to Skyrim up to Crysis - there is no limit.

3. Monitors

I have 2 different Monitor:

1. Samsung Syncmaster 226BW - (1680 x 1050)

2. Asus VH222H - (1920 x 1080) [Primary Display]

4. Peripherals

I am running Windows 7 and I don't need any peripherals neither am I using special equipment to control my PC. 

5. Why are you upgrading?

Probably the most important question. I was playing a bit of Sims 3, when I thought it might be a good idea to see how it would be to play it with every Expansion Pack. As you guys may now, there a lot of them. And I did install every possible thing you could for Sims 3 and then I had to turn down every graphics setting to be able to play the game. But now after hours of playing its starting to get unplayable again - and that is sad. I also can't run Minecraft without lag (well, who can?) and I have to make compromises when I play Skyrim. All in all I want a more powerful PC without investing too much money in new parts.

 

Now my final question:

I thought about getting an Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 or at leas an GeForce GTX 770 but I don't know if my current computer parts can handle that much swag   . I also thought of getting a new Processor, because else I might run into a bottleneck.

 

My current specs are:

CPU Typ: QuadCore AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965, 3245 MHz 

RAM: 8192 MB  (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)

Ram in detail is 2 times this: Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM  (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz)  (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz)  (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz)  (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6870  (1024 MB) 

Main SSD: Crucial_CT512MX100SSD1 ATA Device  (476 GB, IDE)

HDD 1: ST2000DL003-9VT166 ATA Device  (1863 GB, IDE)

HDD 2: ST3250824A ATA Device  (250 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)

HDD 3: WDC WD6401AALS-00J7B1 ATA Device  (596 GB, IDE)

Mainboard: ASRock 980DE3/U3S3

Power Supply: 750 Watt

 

I am looking forward to your suggestions how I can optimize my PC Power without investing too much money  :rolleyes:

if i were you this is the upgrades i'd take and remember to follow your topics and quote the people your replying to

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($137.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $787.96

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-12 12:19 EDT-0400

[Megazero]

 

Hello folks! I am here to ask for your professional help. I am planning to upgrade my System. Here is a short overview why I need your help:

 

1. Budget & Location
I have a Budget Limit of around 700€ (equals 883 USD or 1017 AUD). I am from Germany (if that matters  :lol: ).

2. Aim
I am using this PC mainly for programming and gaming. I play every type of game, from Minecraft to Skyrim up to Crysis - there is no limit.

3. Monitors
I have 2 different Monitor:

1. Samsung Syncmaster 226BW - (1680 x 1050)

2. Asus VH222H - (1920 x 1080) [Primary Display]

4. Peripherals
I am running Windows 7 and I don't need any peripherals neither am I using special equipment to control my PC. 

5. Why are you upgrading?

Probably the most important question. I was playing a bit of Sims 3, when I thought it might be a good idea to see how it would be to play it with every Expansion Pack. As you guys may now, there a lot of them. And I did install every possible thing you could for Sims 3 and then I had to turn down every graphics setting to be able to play the game. But now after hours of playing its starting to get unplayable again - and that is sad. I also can't run Minecraft without lag (well, who can?) and I have to make compromises when I play Skyrim. All in all I want a more powerful PC without investing too much money in new parts.

 

Now my final question:

I thought about getting an Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 or at leas an GeForce GTX 770 but I don't know if my current computer parts can handle that much swag    . I also thought of getting a new Processor, because else I might run into a bottleneck.

 

My current specs are:

CPU Typ: QuadCore AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965, 3245 MHz 

RAM: 8192 MB  (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)

Ram in detail is 2 times this: Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM  (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz)  (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz)  (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz)  (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6870  (1024 MB) 

Main SSD: Crucial_CT512MX100SSD1 ATA Device  (476 GB, IDE)

HDD 1: ST2000DL003-9VT166 ATA Device  (1863 GB, IDE)

HDD 2: ST3250824A ATA Device  (250 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)

HDD 3: WDC WD6401AALS-00J7B1 ATA Device  (596 GB, IDE)

Mainboard: ASRock 980DE3/U3S3

Power Supply: 750 Watt

 

I am looking forward to your suggestions how I can optimize my PC Power without investing too much money   :rolleyes:

Dont get a GTX 770 or 780 now since we have the new 970 and 980

As for CPU and Mobo, I'd suggest a i5 4690k and a MSI Z97 G45 or Gaming 3/5 from either MSI or Gigabyte

For GPU, I'd say a 970 is a better value card now, it's as good as the GTX 780, while being only 330$, the 980 is about 15-20$ faster, but cost 220$ more. (price is EUR is even more ridiculous if I remember it correctly)

If you dont Overclock right now, you dont really need a CPU Cooler, but if you want adding one right now is a good thing. A 212 Evo or Dark Rock Pro 3 are some good choice for air cooler, or H110, H220-X or Kraken X61 are good choices for AIO Water Cooler. 

Things is... for some reason most part price in EUR usually make a 800 USD build in USA cost about 800 EUR in country that use EUR... so you may have to check the price by yourself on this matter.

[Mokomoko]

It's important to tell us what PSU you have, so we know what GPU we can recommend (8-pin or 6-pin connector stuff, ya'know?) 

 

Thanks! I didn't know that it is so important. I added the information in the top. 

 

Edit: Is a new motherboard important? Can't I use my old one? It's not long ago since I bought it.

[themaniac]

Thanks! I didn't know that it is so important. I added the information in the top. 

 

Edit: Is a new motherboard important? Can't I use my old one? It's not long ago since I bought it.

you can't use the same motherboard if you get a cpu that uses a different socket 

[Megazero]

Thanks! I didn't know that it is so important. I added the information in the top. 

 

Edit: Is a new motherboard important? Can't I use my old one? It's not long ago since I bought it.

You cant. New CPU usually require a new chipset = new mobo. You can change CPU without changing Mobo if they both use the same chipset (for example a Z97 mobo can run both i5 4690k or i7 4790k) but since yours is quite old, other CPU that can run on that mobo wont be good enough to wasted money on changing anyway

[Mokomoko]

You cant. New CPU usually require a new chipset = new mobo. You can change CPU without changing Mobo if they both use the same chipset (for example a Z97 mobo can run both i5 4690k or i7 4790k) but since yours is quite old, other CPU that can run on that mobo wont be good enough to wasted money on changing anyway

 

I have got an AM3+ Processor Socket - And I know a lot of good processors (up to 8-Core 4Ghz) that run on AM3 +, so I don't get why I'd need a new Motherboard if I don't want an intel CPU...  :wacko: 

I am sorry to be a noob but I would love to hear an explanation

[Megazero]

I have got an AM3+ Processor Socket - And I know a lot of good processors (up to 8-Core 4Ghz) that run on AM3 +, so I don't get why I'd need a new Motherboard if I don't want an intel CPU...  :wacko: 

I am sorry to be a noob but I would love to hear an explanation

Mmm... the best one you can get for that mobo is the FX 8350, I guess it's a valid choice to go for that CPU as well. It just that... at a good budget like that Intel is better But yeah, a FX 8350 is good too.

[Mokomoko]

Mmm... the best one you can get for that mobo is the FX 8350, I guess it's a valid choice to go for that CPU as well. It just that... at a good budget like that Intel is better But yeah, a FX 8350 is good too.

 

Yeah but If I can save money, I will do because sadly I don't grow a money tree       But thanks for the clarification! I will take a look at the FX 8350.

[Megazero]

Yeah but If I can save money, I will do because sadly I don't grow a money tree       But thanks for the clarification! I will take a look at the FX 8350.

Yeah I have the mind set of choosing part for a new CPU and Mobo all together when I saw your CPU so I dont look at the Mobo there Sorry for that