Is this a bad idea?

Discussion in 'General Hardware' started by naike, Aug 14, 2014.

  1. naike

    naike Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    2,020
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    Asus EAH5870
    Basically this is my current rig which I've upgraded over time:

    M4A89GTD Pro/USB3
    Ati 5870
    8GB Mushkin
    Phenom II 965be
    850W PSU

    Now I have a sound card etc. but now the thing is, my PC is having huge bsod problems, and the main suspect is the MOBO (SSD/HDDs and RAM have been replaced already, no luck).
    With this mobo, and it most likely being faulty, there's no point in staying with this socket (the cheapest mobos I found are still way too expensive in my opinion, for that CPU anyway).

    The thing is, I'm getting a second 5870 for free and my intention was to buy a new 1150 mobo for 80-100€ or so (should be able to find a xfire mobo with that budget) and a i5-4690 (or maybe go for the unlocked one, but I doubt that mobo will do any overclocking).

    That way my rig would be have the i5 4690 and 2x5870 for only around 300€, how do those two match up? Is crossfire a huge hassle, and how do they work in newer games?

    I feel like my GPU is still pretty good, even in modern games and mostly it's the CPU that's bottle necking (e.g. PS2 or GW2).

    Any comments?
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2014
  2. SLI-756

    SLI-756 Guest

    Messages:
    7,604
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    760 SLI 4gb 1215/ 6800
    get new cpu and perhaps wait on gtx 870 /860.
    nothing big on horizon till October. (gaming wise)
     
  3. naike

    naike Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    2,020
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    Asus EAH5870
    Yea, but I don't really want to spend an extra 500€+ ontop of the 300€ I'm already spending.
     
  4. SLI-756

    SLI-756 Guest

    Messages:
    7,604
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    760 SLI 4gb 1215/ 6800
    get a nice cpu and a 250 euro 4gb 770 /760
     

  5. naike

    naike Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    2,020
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    Asus EAH5870
    Yeah that's nice and all but I don't want to spend that much at least at the moment.
    Will the haswell prices drop once broadwell comes out?
     
  6. SLI-756

    SLI-756 Guest

    Messages:
    7,604
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    760 SLI 4gb 1215/ 6800
    sure by around 5 euros, I kid you not.
     
  7. IcE

    IcE Don Snow

    Messages:
    10,693
    Likes Received:
    79
    GPU:
    3070Ti FE
    Dual 5870 is still pretty decent. That's somewhere around a 760/670 in performance when it works correctly. I say go for it. You'll see amazing gains upgrading that old CPU and platform. I know I did when I did it over a year ago.
     
  8. clawhamer

    clawhamer Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    2,576
    Likes Received:
    0
    GPU:
    EVGA 780 Classified
    Nothing wrong with that, new CPU and board with a free 5870 for CFX.

    I'd say go for it. Then you'll have a system worth upgrading the graphics card when you're ready.
     
  9. AsiJu

    AsiJu Ancient Guru

    Messages:
    8,806
    Likes Received:
    3,368
    GPU:
    KFA2 4070Ti EXG.v2
    Aye, go ahead, seems like a good way to save some bucks and push a full upgrade a bit further.

    As for CFX, it shouldn't be more of a hassle than SLI, but scaling and stability seem to depend largely on driver version / game used.

    Still, as you have to pay nothing for the second graphics card, it really is a no-risk investment in my book.

    BTW my mobo cost around 130 € when I got it and it can do overclocking (all Z87 chipset mobos can). You may find a Z87 mobo for that price.

    Going for the Z97 would be better at this point, but if you're on a budget, don't worry.
    Haswell refresh CPUs (should) work with Z87 too. Plus chances are Broadwell will as well.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2014

Share This Page