(Build Help) AMD noob needs help

[Wink]

Hi guys.

 

I have a HTPC that I recently repurposed from my first PC that is 5 years old.

 

Build:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H Micro ATX AM3 Motherboard 

GPU: Asus EAH5750 Formula/2DI/1GD5 

Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  

TV:

4K LG 55UB850T 55" UHD

 

I only got into overclocking like last year. I managed to find out that i could stably unlock the extra 2 cores in my X2 555 to get a Quad core chip at 3.2GHz. I also found out i could OC it to 3.8GHz. 

 

My question is if i could turn it into a 4k gaming powerhouse by swapping out the GPU or would i get bottlenecked by the MOBO, PSU or CPU itself (assuming the fact that the X2 turned into X4 isnt that great anyway)

 

[zappian]

4k isnt that much cpu bound but still a dual core ( or even a quadcore) phenom II wont work that well.

Plus your PSU will support one 970 MAX.

[Tim Drake]

4k isnt that much cpu bound but still a dual core ( or even a quadcore) phenom II wont work that well.

Plus your PSU will support one 970 MAX.

Off Topic: I love your description of the 970.

 

On Topic: You would need to upgrade that CPU before going 4K. At least to a FX 8350 or an I5.

[SuperPug]

 

My question is if i could turn it into a 4k gaming powerhouse by swapping out the GPU...

 

 

[zappian]

Off Topic: I love your description of the 970.

 

On Topic: You would need to upgrade that CPU before going 4K. At least to a FX 8350 or an I5.

Off topic:

I love 970 owners with a sense of humour honestly.

Most people are incredibly mad with the situation and wont event tolerate a joke,

Thumbs up sir.

[harrynowl]

Well you'll probably be GPU limited with just a single GPU (about as much as your PSU can do) at 4k... I think a R9 285 or 970 (maybe a 960) would be most suited. If you're playing casual titles you'd be OK but no matter what you won't get a great 4K gaming experience for demanding games.

[Wink]

aiight... thanks guys. 

To recap

i need two GPUs.
PSU cannot support two GPUs
Mobo cannot SLI/xfire anyway (only one slot) so that has to change.
CPU not great anyway.

Current base parts cannot be repurposed beyond casual games and 4k playback

okay that tempered my expectations with my find.

so last qn, a 960 should be plenty for casual games and 4k playback right?
 

[benzeam]

If you want to upgrade your CPU which I would recommend doing, I recommend a FX- 8350, it is very capable with lots a power.

[The Benjamins]

4k encoded with h264 or h265?

 

265 is demanding, and I would recommend a GPU with a hardware decoding like the new 9xx GPU.

[zappian]

4k encoded with h264 or h265?

 

265 is demanding, and I would recommend a GPU with a hardware decoding like the new 9xx GPU.

 

I think he is talking about 4k gaming, from what i have gathered.

[The Benjamins]

I think he is talking about 4k gaming, from what i have gathered.

 

oooh, I like my R9 290X, it runs great at 3440x1440. I would say 2 R9 290 would be good or 2 970. also a good CPU like 4690k or better. if you are planing on 4k gaming then its not good to cut corners, also for what kind of games. league of legends is easy but crysis 3 is not.

[Wink]

i play Skyrim, farcry, all  the open world games

but no worries guys, im getting the impression that it would not be possible given my outdated hardware to game at 4k. 

i will just settle for 4k playback, netflix mostly...

looks like i will be getting a 960