Opinions wanted on CPU & GPU choice for Z97 upgrade build

[ScoobMaster]

Greetings ATOTers.

My trusty 6+ year old P43/E8400 dual core system is finally showing its age too much to bear and it is time to upgrade. I am re-using my case, optical drives, and OS (windows 7).

So far I have purchased:
MSI Z97 SLI plus motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Kingston V300 240Gb SSD
Antec TruePower Classic series TP-750C 750W 80 PLUS GOLD PS

Now I just need to figure out what CPU to add (I will also pick up a platter drive or two for more "static" storage). I am thinking of going with an i5 4590 or 4690. I don't overclock (even though i could with the Z97 - I bought it because it was on sale and fairly cheap). Money isn't really a limiting factor, but i don't like to spend more than I have to (I like sales and using coupons - it is like a challenge to see how much I can save).

Anyway, for moderate gaming (things from Steam like Borderlands the pre-sequel, Dishonored, etc) I think an i5 4xxx series should be good and give me longevity, right?

A little over a year ago I bought a Radeon HD 7790 to replace the original 8800GS. I can re-use that or upgrade to an R9 270, 280, or 285. With the upper end of those cards hovering around the $200 mark, I am tempted to jump on the Visa checkout $25 of $200 and grab one.

What do you guys think? given the hardware I already committed to, what CPU and GPU would you go with (with the mindset of I am not on a super-tight budget, but I want the best bang for my buck without spending a lot).

Thanks for your input, all opinions are welcome

 

[lehtv]

You're gaming on a 1080p display, correct?

I am re-using my case

What is it?

So far I have purchased:
MSI Z97 SLI plus motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Kingston V300 240Gb SSD
Antec TruePower Classic series TP-750C 750W 80 PLUS GOLD PS

Motherboard - A good pick, assuming it didn't cost much more than $100. You have the option to overclock (either the 4690K or later upgrade to an overclockable CPU) and run SLI (unlikely but still, an option).

RAM - Good, but how much did it cost you?

SSD - Passable. MX100 would've been better. Given the slow upgrade cycle, I might've gone with a 512GB drive, which is certainly still an option if you can return the V300.

PSU - Overkill for a single GPU setup, but not necessarily a waste of money, depending on how much you paid for it. It's good quality. I'm guessing you're covering the SLI/Crossfire base here, which is fine.

Now I just need to figure out what CPU to add

You have three processors to choose from:
1) Xeon E3-1231 v3 - 4 cores, 8 threads like an i7 for $250, lacks integrated graphics
2) 4690K gives you the option to overclock for $240, and with your slow upgrade cycle, this should come in handy eventually. With a $30-50 cooler, you can get about a 20% overclock on it.
3) Cheap out and grab a locked i5 like i5-4460 or i5-4570. Still leaves you the option to alter upgrade it to a used and overclockable 4790K or an upcoming Broadwell-K processor.

I bought a Radeon HD 7790 to replace the original 8800GS. I can re-use that or upgrade to an R9 270, 280, or 285.

Is that really on the upper end of your budget, given what you've already spent and need to buy? Sapphire Tri-X R9 290 is a great card and only $260 after rebate.

 

[frozentundra123456]

yea, with pretty much any i5, the 7790 will be the weakest link. You could try it for a while and see if it is OK for the games you play. The new console ports are vram hogs though, so if you upgrade the gpu be sure to get something with at least 3 or 4 gb of vram.

 

[ScoobMaster]

Yes, I am gaming on a 1080 display.

Sorry I didn't list the case - it is a Raidmax Sigma Phantom (can't believe Newegg still has a working link)

I snagged the MSI motherboard for $89 after rebate, and the RAM and SSD I bundled as a combo and used the $25 off $200 Visa Checkout, so I got them both for $179. The PS is overkill, I agree, but at $49 after rebate, I like having the extra overhead. I was thinking the SSD would just house the OS and some more dynamic (oft-used) programs with the bulk of my stuff (pictures, videos, and music) on platter discs, so 240GB to start because it was inexpensive ($85). I can always add more later, right?


So as it stands I only have about $320 invested in the upgrade thus far. I was trying to stay in the under $600 range for everything. Not because I can't afford it, just because I don't like spending more than I have to and I am a "bargain shopper". I like to stack coupons and sales to see how much I can get for as little as possible (it is almost a sickness at times, LOL).

However, I have no qualms paying good money for quality stuff. I just like to get the best bang for my buck.

Thanks for the replies

I think I will grab a video card. I built a cheap budget gaming system for my son and threw in a radeon 6670. I can move the 7790 over to his machine - it will be a pretty good boost for him I think.

(I was darn close to grabbing the i5-4690 from Newegg, but that dumb "free bonus steampunk giveaway voucher" negates the use of the Visa Checkout $25 off $200 (Grrrr!))

 

[lehtv]

Yes, I am gaming on a 1080 display.

Sorry I didn't list the case - it is a Raidmax Sigma Phantom (can't believe Newegg still has a working link)

OK, that's a pretty old case, but it's just a case after all. The only thing to keep in mind is that it may not have enough room for the longest cards on the market. I'm guessing the Sapphire Tri-X 290, for example, is too long at 12 inches. It'd be a good idea to measure how much space you have

I snagged the MSI motherboard for $89 after rebate, and the RAM and SSD I bundled as a combo and used the $25 off $200 Visa Checkout, so I got them both for $179.

Awesome.

The PS is overkill, I agree, but at $49 after rebate, I like having the extra overhead.

Definitely a good buy, again.

I was thinking the SSD would just house the OS and some more dynamic (oft-used) programs with the bulk of my stuff (pictures, videos, and music) on platter discs, so 240GB to start because it was inexpensive ($85). I can always add more later, right?

Yeah, the 256GB drive will fit OS and programs (<100GB) and a good bunch of games.

I think I will grab a video card.

(I was darn close to grabbing the i5-4690 from Newegg, but that dumb "free bonus steampunk giveaway voucher" negates the use of the Visa Checkout $25 off $200 (Grrrr!))

OK, so if you're already $280 away from spending your whole initial budget, maybe R9 290 is a bit overkill. However, there are no good deals on 280X's, while there is a super good deal on an Asus R9 290 for just $240 after rebate. It's either that or an MSI R9 280 for $200 ($180 after rebate), you could probably use the $25 off Visa thing on that.

As for the CPU, any of i5-4690K, Xeon E3-1231V3 or a cheaper i5 is a good choice, just depends on whether you want to be able to OC and how much you want to spend.

 

[ScoobMaster]

OK, so if you're already $280 away from spending your whole initial budget, maybe R9 290 is a bit overkill. However, there are no good deals on 280X's, while there is a super good deal on an Asus R9 290 for just $240 after rebate. It's either that or an MSI R9 280 for $200 ($180 after rebate), you could probably use the $25 off Visa thing on that.

Yep - that Asus 290 caught my eye. I am on the fence on going for that or waiting just a few more days. I see posts in the Video Card forum about what the release of the GTX 960 may do to the market and the pricing of AMD's lineup. I am not in a rush (my current rig, as old as it is, is still kicking) so i can be a little patient and wait it out a bit. Do you think it may be a wise move to see how it shakes out?

Thanks again for your input.

 

[lehtv]

I don't pricing to change much with the GTX 960 release; if anything, GTX 960 price should drop a bit to match AMD offerings. AMD's selling 3GB VRAM cards for the same price that also perform the same.

But I guess there's no harm in waiting. Jump on the deal that doesn't make you doubt whether it's the right choice