Help with CPU + GPU for 21:9 Display

[estuche]

Hi All,

Looking for some advise on what components to use for a build that can play games at max settings and 2560 x 1080 resolution. I have read (though I have not seen data) that a 1080p 21:9 resolution only increases load at about 15% compared to a 16:9 1080p setup. Based on this I would assume that a card like an R9 290 or a 970 GTX would last me many years.

The issue is that I have a limited budget (who doesn't!) I have read articles about CPU and GPU balance. In theory a 280x + i5 (4460) combo would be more "balanced" than a 970GTX + i3 (4160). I prefer the latter, partly because I find it cheaper to upgrade the CPU later on than the GPU. I am happy to give up FPS and achieve ultra game details as long as I am above 30 FPS (remember I am working with 1080p here).

My question is, is it really a bad idea to go with the i3 + 970GTX until I can upgrade to an i5 or i7? If so why? Can the i3 not give me FPS above 30 while I enjoy sweet graphics with the powerful GPU?

[Mujteba]

Hi All,

Looking for some advise on what components to use for a build that can play games at max settings and 2560 x 1080 resolution. I have read (though I have not seen data) that a 1080p 21:9 resolution only increases load at about 15% compared to a 16:9 1080p setup. Based on this I would assume that a card like an R9 290 or a 970 GTX would last me many years.

The issue is that I have a limited budget (who doesn't!) I have read articles about CPU and GPU balance. In theory a 280x + i5 (4460) combo would be more "balanced" than a 970GTX + i3 (4160). I prefer the latter, partly because I find it cheaper to upgrade the CPU later on than the GPU. I am happy to give up FPS and achieve ultra game details as long as I am above 30 FPS (remember I am working with 1080p here).

My question is, is it really a bad idea to go with the i3 + 970GTX until I can upgrade to an i5 or i7? If so why? Can the i3 not give me FPS above 30 while I enjoy sweet graphics with the powerful GPU?

Maybe go with the anniversary pentium if your planning to upgrade in the not so distant future just to save a few more dollars. That way you will be running the same socket so you can upgrade to a i5-4690k down the road  

 

That is, if you don't mind the whole 'four core only' thing that games like Far Cry 4 are doing.

[estuche]

Cool, thanks for your comments so far. I forgot to mention the type of games! I mostly will be playing single-player campaigns right now, so Dragon age inquisition, Shadow of mordor, witcher 3, Batman Arkham Knight, Assassins Creed, etc.

[AlRayes_BRN]

Cool, thanks for your comments so far. I forgot to mention the type of games! I mostly will be playing single-player campaigns right now, so Dragon age inquisition, Shadow of mordor, witcher 3, Batman Arkham Knight, Assassins Creed, etc.

 

You need atleast a 970 buddy or a 290x

 

Im going for 3440 x 1440 21:9 monitor and a 980

[estuche]

You all make pretty good comments, thanks for your suggestions! I will consider the anniversary pentium as a strategy to speed up a later upgrade. Also the 970 seems like a clear winner here. Any ideas about performance on ultra-wide monitors? It is much easier to find benchmarks for the typical 16:9 ratios.