Upgrading my system, advice needed

[Mobius501]

Dear all

 

Once upon a time a friend and I built my gaming rig. Over the years it has given me many hours of joyful gaming but over the years it has gotten older, as have I. I don't play that much as I used to, specially not on my PC, and thus never upgraded my system, since it held up quite well til 2013 or so.

Now two things happened. First of all, apparently all my friends are playing GTA V online on their PCs. Furthermore, another friend shared this video by Linus on facebook. And suddenly I had this urge to play on my PC again!

 

As mentioned before, I don't play that much anymore and when I game then mainly on my PS4. Nonetheless, I would like to partake in some GTA Online fun and thus started to research how much a new gaming rig would cost, swiftly concluding that I don't have the the money to purchase one. My attention moved then on to upgrading my system . And this is where I am in need of some expert advice.

 

After my initial research I kind of designed the following path: Purchase a new GPU and overclock my CPU to minimize the bottleneck.

 

My system is as follows:

 

Mainboard: ASUSteK P5Q PRO Turbo

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83GHz

Memory: 2x Kingston 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400, 2x Mushkin 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 (Total of 8GB DDR2 RAM)

GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5

PSU: Enermax modu82+ 625W

Cooling: Air cooled heatsink, 120mm Xigmatek Fan

 

So I thought about getting an GTX 960 4GB and trying to get the CPU near 4GHz but I honestly have no clue if this helps or if it is the right choice to proceed. Therefore, I would be really glad for any advice or insight.

 

Further information:

 

1. Budget & Location
Around 200 to 300 Swiss francs (Switzerland), which is more or less the same in USD, although prices are better in the states I think.

2. Aim
Gaming mainly, backup for my Laptop and watching some movies or internet TV (hooked my TV to the PC and it got a BluRay-Reader).

3. Monitors
Monitor: 1600 x 900p

TV: 1366 x 768p (up to 1920 x 1080i)

4. Peripherals
Got everything I need.

5. Why are you upgrading?
Just getting all it has left in it to play some games.

 

If you need anything else, I can give you screenshots from CPU-Z or whatever helps.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

[pckid]

R9 380 would be a better choice than a GTX 960, also GTA V is a very cpu intense game.

[Joegeddon]

For the GPU you could get an R9 380/R9 390 I think. Or a GTX 950/GTX 960.

[Mug]

An R9 380(x) would probably be better value yo you.

[Nena Trinity]

I say a Radeon 370 or 380 but if you can maybe even the 380X?

[Mobius501]

Wow, thanks. That was fast.

 

Concerning the GPU:

While researching I stumbled upon the ZOTAC GTX 960 AMP! 4GB for 259 CHF (~USD). It is almost the cheapest 960 with 4GB VRAM available while at the same time being the one with the highest stock clock (not planning on overclocking the GPU). Regarding the AMD variant I found a Club 3D R9 380 Royal Queen 4GB for 247 CHF. R9 390 are sadly, like the GTX 970, too expensive.

 

GPU Question 1: What is advantage of a R9 380 over a GTX 960?

 

GPU Question 2: I've been mainly looking at 4GB VRAM GPUs, these being around 40 bucks more expensive than their 2GB counterpart. Is it worth it?

 

 

Concerning the CPU:

@pckid, GTA V being an CPU intense game, would overclocking the Q9550 help with it?

Also in general, does overclocking the system rejuvenate it in any way?

 

Thanks again!

[Mobius501]

Additionally, should the fact that my board has ATi CrossFireX capabilities influence my GPU choice?

[Mobius501]

Hi again.

 

Still looking for some help.

 

Thanks again!