I need some advice and help selecting

[Adrian Labuschagne]

Hello, I am currently looking into upgrading my GPU and then later this year my motherboard, CPU and PSU because I think it won't be sufficient to power all three upgrades.

 

I currently have:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE H61M-S2PV, LGA1155, Intel H61 Chipset, Micro-ATX

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 @ 3.10GHz

RAM: 1x Kingston HyperX Fury, 8GB, DDR3-1600, CL10, Black

GPU: AMD Sapphire Radeon HD 7750 

PSU: Seasonic S12 II Bronze 520W

 

In the start of the year I upgrade my RAM from 4GB when I started to experience problems with some new games and is planning to maybe buy another RAM dimm in the future.

 

I am currently looking at the AMD Radeon R9 280x and AMD Radeon R9 290. Im strongly leaning towards the R9 290. The new R9 300 series did not really impress me if compared to the 200 series in performance to price.

 

I just want to maybe get a better opinion if my PSU will be able to be sufficient? Because I calculated that the system would use under full load around 490W just under my 520W limit.

 

The other thing is I can't really decide if the R9 290 is worth the few extra bucks for a little better preformance? 

[rafazafar]

 

Hello, I am currently looking into upgrading my GPU and then later this year my motherboard, CPU and PSU because I think it won't be sufficient to power all three upgrades.

 

I currently have:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE H61M-S2PV, LGA1155, Intel H61 Chipset, Micro-ATX

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 @ 3.10GHz

RAM: 1x Kingston HyperX Fury, 8GB, DDR3-1600, CL10, Black

GPU: AMD Sapphire Radeon HD 7750 

PSU: Seasonic S12 II Bronze 520W

 

In the start of the year I upgrade my RAM from 4GB when I started to experience problems with some new games and is planning to maybe buy another RAM dimm in the future.

 

I am currently looking at the AMD Radeon R9 280x and AMD Radeon R9 290. Im strongly leaning towards the R9 290. The new R9 300 series did not really impress me if compared to the 200 series in performance to price.

 

I just want to maybe get a better opinion if my PSU will be able to be sufficient? Because I calculated that the system would use under full load around 490W just under my 520W limit.

 

The other thing is I can't really decide if the R9 290 is worth the few extra bucks for a little better preformance? 

 

the performance gain from 280x to 290 is big actually.

And its unlike that you will be using 490w. That is under max load, which almost never happens. You most probably will be running around 450w with cpu overclocks.

Plus you have a good PSU so dont worry. I would say go ahead with the 290

 

i5 2400 at 3.1ghz prime95 uses 142W, average ~120W

290 tri-x uses max 311W under furmark. average ~290W

ps. please follow your own topics

[Atmos]

with your powersupply you could shadily run a 290, and slightly more easily run a 280X. Don't expect a lot of headroom for overclocking.

 

And the 390 is just a beefed up 290, higher clock speed, higher memory speeds and bandwidth. An all around upgrade. In many cases, mine included, a 390 costs the same as other mid-range 290's, but will outperform any of them without question. So just another thing to consider. 

[rafazafar]

with your powersupply you could shadily run a 290, and slightly more easily run a 280X. Don't expect a lot of headroom for overclocking.

 

And the 390 is just a beefed up 290, higher clock speed, higher memory speeds and bandwidth. An all around upgrade. In many cases, mine included, a 390 costs the same as other mid-range 290's, but will outperform any of them without question. So just another thing to consider. 

this too. A decent 390 will even outperform a damn good 290.

[IanDrexP]

this too. A decent 390 will even outperform a damn good 290.

I third this, you have good components and a GPU upgrade will help your build a lot.

 

How about this 970 from EVGA? It is on sale with a promo code + mail-in rebate!

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($307.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $307.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-08 10:50 EDT-0400

[Adrian Labuschagne]

Thank you for the replies.

 

I am not currently going to overclock the hardware. I will start doing it when I have better cooling and a better PSU.

 

I will take a look at the 390 and I am not such a big fan of the Nvidia cards but thanks though.

[IanDrexP]

Thank you for the replies.

 

I am not currently going to overclock the hardware. I will start doing it when I have better cooling and a better PSU.

 

I will take a look at the 390 and I am not such a big fan of the Nvidia cards but thanks though.

Nvidia GPUs are power efficient, output lower heat, have nice features and more. Don't count them out yet, take a look at them also.