Upgrade Old GPU but with Same Everything Else!

lordra on 07/05/2020 - 19:00
Last edited 07/05/2020 - 19:39

Hey everyone. This should be fairly easy for the tech gurus out there. It's been 5 years since I've built my and it's still going strong. I've added bits and bobs over the years (RAM & storage). Rather than get a new build, I'd rather hold out for another couple of years.

I was hoping to your input on which GPU I can get today (either seconds or new), that represents good value, to keep my frame rates going on the new shooters of 2020 (+ GTA 5 & The Division 2). Either swap out the GPU or add to it, keeping the mobo & proccy combo. Or input on if it's not worth it at this lifecycle of pc parts. Everything is running stock (no overclocking yet). Thanks everyone! :)

Build Details:
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P AM3+/AM3 ATX Motherboard

GPU: XFX Radeon R9 280X DirectX 11.2 R9-280X-TDFD 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 CrossFireX Support with PCI Express 3.0 x16

PSU: CORSAIR CX600M 600W 80 PLUS BRONZE

CPU : AMD FX-8320 3.5 GHz 8-Core Processor

Full list here

Edit: Have 16GB RAM with loads of SSD space. Plus a 3TB HDD.
Thanks in advance.

Poll Options expired

  • 0
    Start overclocking
  • 1
    Add another similar GPU for Crossfire
  • 7
    Get a new build
  • 9
    Get a second-hand GPU
Computing

Comments

  • Hybroid on 07/05/2020 - 19:13
    +3

    Here's a handy tool that's not 100% accurate but good indication:

    https://pc-builds.com/calculator/FX-8320_Eight-Core/GeForce_…

    Your CPU will 40% bottleneck a 1660 Ti & a standard 1080 so I would suggest not worth it till you upgrade CPU/Mobo.

  • AdosHouse on 07/05/2020 - 19:18
    +1

    This is decent value, https://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/asus-radeon-rx-580-oc…

  • Caped Baldy on 07/05/2020 - 19:36
    +1

    Where's the poll option for new GPU?

    Get more ram and an SSD, the list you provided didn't have an SSD. You'll get the biggest gains by getting one. The Seagate 3TB had pretty high failure rates so make sure to have a backup. I see your other comment

    Don't bother with crossfire, the benefits and support are limited.

  • Axelstrife on 07/05/2020 - 19:40
    +1

    That CPU wasn't very good when it was released, now days it's quite bad, you should consider a full PC upgrade.

    • lordra on 07/05/2020 - 19:41

      Was thinking of this but wanted to ride out this covid wave for another year before going full replace. What do people usually do with old pcs? Sell them for a big loss on gumtree or facebook?

      • Hybroid on 07/05/2020 - 19:45
        +1

        What do people usually do with old pcs?

        Build a media server running Plex.

        • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 01:09

          Good to know, I'd rather do this than sell it for next to nothing now.

      • scrimshaw on 07/05/2020 - 21:04

        Recycle your system and turn it into a full time HTPC or some kind of NAS.

  • garetz on 07/05/2020 - 19:43

    at 5-6 years i always upgrade the mobo/cpu to a gen or 2 lower than the best available currently.

  • jasonbon818 on 07/05/2020 - 21:24
    +1

    It depends on how much cash you want to put in now, at the moment the price of pc hardware, specially gpu are higher than usual, and it will stay that way at least for a while more,

    My system has a Intel CPU that have similar performance to your CPU, and I throw a rtx 2060, and it runs fine, do I get every ounce of that gpu? No..Do I care? No …It runs any game in decent fps and CPU not 100% all the time

    Don't crossfire your 280..Not worth the money and most game don't support crossfire, personally don't like the idea of 2nd hand gpu, but only if u can find one with really good price, and try to stay away with some card that are popular on mining, otherwise wait for a deal on gpu and buy what in your budget,
    Then in the future when system finally given up on you or you given up on it then get a whole brand new system and transfer the vga you going to buy now

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 07/05/2020 - 22:52

    Your CPU (sorry) is trash. It's 8 years old. I wouldn't buy anything more than a GTX 1060\1070 for about $150-350 second hand or RX570 for $239ish brand new.

    • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 01:11

      Thanks, I'm thinking along the same lines as you can second hand, if I get one for a good price.

  • averageuser101 on 08/05/2020 - 08:53

    I'm sorry but if you had any processor other than FX, you would be fine with just a gpu upgrade. Unfortunately, you need to upgrade your motherboard, CPU, and GPU. I would recommend you to get a used LGA 1150 motherboard for ~$70 on eBay, pick up an i7 4770/i7 4790k and buy an RX 570/580. You should be able to use the same ram, but that FX proccessor is really bad.

    • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 01:12

      May as well chuck a grand at those components and get new mobo+cpu+gpu combo.

      • averageuser101 on 09/05/2020 - 08:59

        I mean, if you're balling, maybe but I wouldn't suggest you to do that. DDR3 has very similar performance to DDR4 on intel CPU's, if you want to save the most money, get an LGA 1150 motherboard and an i7 4790k so you can keep your ram, sell your r9 290 and buy an rx 580 8gb, upgrade will cost you ~$150 - 200 in total depending on how much you can sell your FX cpu, old mobo and r9 290 for.

        • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 19:05

          And depending on how much I can get the blue team combo for. Either online or used.

  • droptester on 08/05/2020 - 14:07

    New build or second hand depending on your budget. But crossfire won't be worth it for sure, compatibility has always been patchy at best. Most games aren't optimised for it.

    • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 01:13

      Agreed, will go with a new build at this point is what I'm guessing. I'm in no rush, so can wait for prices to drop. Have overcooked 2 to keep me going during lockdown on console.

  • TimboAus1234 on 08/05/2020 - 20:53

    Upgrade the CPU and motherboard guessing the ram is DDR3 that would also need to be replaced. could chuck the ram on eBay, after that look at getting a new GPU later down the track when you have the cash.

    • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 01:15
      +1

      I did not think of this, thank you! I almost forgot that I'm still on Ddr3 as the rest of the world has been on DD4 for so long. I wonder how much I'll get for the ram. Maybe I'll just keep it and turn it into a HTPC or plex server.

  • abctoz on 09/05/2020 - 09:26
    +1

    just watch this channel
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Tn-atYOt8qZP-oqui7bhw

    • lordra on 09/05/2020 - 18:18
      +1

      Very interesting, cheers!

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