upgrading 2 computers.

[Papi]

Been spending the last few months asking around to help guildies out with their computers, its my turn.

First off, we have wifeys computer:
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115211
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188061
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226096

I am looking to upgrade to anything better, in preparation for Warlords of Draenor. I will be tossing in a GTX670 4GB. Looking to continue running at 1920x1080. Only games played on this computer are World of Warcraft. No video editing or anything in that nature. Nothing groundbreaking, I am looking to spend around $300 to upgrade atleast the CPU/MB. The RAM will work fine for now, unless some enticing offers pop up. She doesn't play nearly as much as I do, so spending the top dollar for peak performance is not needed.

Secondly, my computer:
CPU: i5-2500K @ 4.6GHz
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130644
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428

I am itching for a GTX780Ti. I am looking for performance in a quality product. As they are around $620-$800, I was looking to initially spend $700. If quality pushes a little beyond that, I can be flexible. I just need the thoughts of the masterminds here as to which Ti I should pick up. I am running at 1920x1080, mainly play World of Warcraft. I do use frapps and I am more than confident in my CPU. Only looking to pick up a Ti.

I live in the USA.

Looking for any and all suggestions! Thanks again, MMO community!

[Biernot]

Wife's computer:
Get an i5 4670k (or 4690k) with a matching Z97 board (nothing fancy needed here, just get a cheap one around $100). Put in the old ram, although it might be beneficial to only use 2 sticks (to profit from dual channel).

Your computer:
A 780 Ti for mainly WoW with 1920x1080 is wasted money. WoW is limited mostly by the CPU performance, so if you have good middle-class GPU (e.g. GTX 760), you won't benefit from a high-end graphics card at all. I am assuming your current GPU is the GTX 670 that goes into your wife's computer? What GPU has your wife currently?

[Deleted]

Yeah as Biernot said a gtx 780(ti) is a waste of money for wow. You won't seen any difference from a gtx 760/770.
For the wife the following should cover it, make sure you got a case that can fit the cooler:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.66 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $359.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 02:40 EDT-0400

Its above 300$, otherwise you will have to get an i3.

[Papi]

Correct, Biernot.
Wifey is currently using a GTX 460.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130562

I am currently using the GTX 670.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130785

Thoughts on upgrades around what I currently have? Budget is not an issue as I had around $1000 for the inital hit, assuming I were going for the 780 Ti (which I will not be)

Thanks for the quick thoughts.

- - - Updated - - -

Looking in the direction of a GTX 770. I currently have the GTX 670 4GB.

What are the differences between a 2GB and a 4GB, GTX 770?

[Deleted]

Just that, double Vram.

[Papi]

Yeah, I get that. Is the extra $$ worth going to a 4gb? Ive read in the past that 2GB cards may outperform 4GB cards in certain situations.

[Deleted]

Nope it is not worth it.

The membus is just not big enough for the extra vram. If you want to get more Vram then your best bet would be to go for a 280/280x (if you want to stay in the same range as the 770).

[mitbrandir]

Yeah, I get that. Is the extra $$ worth going to a 4gb? Ive read in the past that 2GB cards may outperform 4GB cards in certain situations.

Not worth it. I believe a gtx 770 doesn't have the interface bus to properly allocate those 4gbs.

[Papi]

I've been loyal for Nvidia for, as long as I can remember, stayed clear of Radeons. I read abit about the R9 290 though. If the GTX 770 in the ballpark to an R9 280x, would I be safe saying the R9 290 would bring me closer to the GTX 780 (non Ti) in terms of performance?

If anyone has a few minutes, mind linking a few suggestion cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121770
is what I was looking at, but I would like to see a few other choices.

Again, not really looking much into Radeons, suggestions on these too. $4-500 seems to be a good ballpark figure on most of the cards.

- - - Updated - - -

Hmm, I like this too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125463

[Deleted]

Not worth it. I believe a gtx 770 doesn't have the interface bus to properly allocate those 4gbs.

I see this quote from some ppl come often. Can you back up this with numbers or a link? In either case, when i bought mine (4gb) wasn't really fuzzed that i would need all 4gb more like that i would have at least 3 and was on a deal for 30euro more so...

- - - Updated - - -

Seems i found the answer to my previous question. The gtx770 4gb has memory bandwidth of 224 GB/s = 3.73GB (at 60 FPS). So the maximum memory usage is 112 FPS at 2GB and 56 FPS at 4GB. All in all, for pinned 60fps gtx770 4gb can use 3.73gb and 56 if it maxes out. Seems decent to me.

[Deleted]

I've been loyal for Nvidia for, as long as I can remember, stayed clear of Radeons. I read abit about the R9 290 though. If the GTX 770 in the ballpark to an R9 280x, would I be safe saying the R9 290 would bring me closer to the GTX 780 (non Ti) in terms of performance?

If anyone has a few minutes, mind linking a few suggestion cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121770
is what I was looking at, but I would like to see a few other choices.

Again, not really looking much into Radeons, suggestions on these too. $4-500 seems to be a good ballpark figure on most of the cards.

- - - Updated - - -

Hmm, I like this too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125463

Yes, the 290 and 780 trade blows with each other.

As for the suggestions, Nvidia --> MSI, Asus, gigabyte, EVGA. AMD --> MSI, Asus, gigabyte, sapphire.

I see this quote from some ppl come often. Can you back up this with numbers or a link? In either case, when i bought mine (4gb) wasn't really fuzzed that i would need all 4gb more like that i would have at least 3 and was on a deal for 30euro more so...

There have been a couple of reviews/benches showing no difference between 2GB or 4GB versions of the 680, 770, 760. Even at higher resolutions I think.
Also, the 4 GB versions are usually that more expensive that you can get a higher tier card. For example the difference between a 4 GB 770 and 290 were a while back quite minimal. No idea if that is still the case tho.

here is a review of a 4GB 680, showing no real difference compared to a 2 GB version. And a 770 is basically a 680 with some minor improvements.

[Papi]

but I think Im going to go with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127741

[Biernot]

but I think Im going to go with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127741

Good choice... exact same card that i have currently. Inside my Fractal Define R4 this card is barely audible even under full load. Since the their first TwinFrozr cards (back then called "Hawk"), these cards from MSI have always been my first choice.

[Papi]

I ran 2 - MSI GTX580 Lightnings in SLI a few years ago, they were amazing.

[Papi]

I have made the decision to put a little more into the GPU and grab a GTX780.

With that being said and using the info provided from above, this is what I am looking at:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($418.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $738.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-05 10:49 EDT-0400


Now that I've decided on the GPU, should I stay with the listed MB? If there are other recommendations, link them. Looking to get this ordered in the next week.

Thanks for the help thus far!

[Papi]

Probably makes the most sense, either way, in what direction should I be looking for in regards to the motherboard if I do decide to remain with the 780 after the release of the 900 series. Ill need a new board either way, just curious to know if I would have more options for something other than what is listed above.