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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Should I first upgrade my 5750 or my x4 955 BE?

Should I first upgrade my 5750 or my x4 955 BE?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards Should I first upgrade my 5750 or my x4 955 BE?

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Heres the thing. I am deciding between spending a few hundred on either a new cpu or a new gpu.
My PC is mainly used for playing BF3 on a 1080p monitor. Right now, graphics are okay, but I want better.
Is my CPU or GPU in more need of upgrading?

I want to get the 8 core amd cpu but i also wanna buy a 6950. which should I do first?

Heres what I got going for me right now:

Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.8 GHz
GA-970-UD3 motherboard
16gb Ripjaws 1600 MHz
Radeon HD 5750 1GB GDDR5
128GB SSD Sata 6gbps
700W PSU

So should I get me the new 3.1ghz 8 core bulldozer and stay with my 5750, or stick with my X4 955 and grab a 6950 2gb GPU?
All other suggestions are welcome. I feel like I know what Im doing, but not compared to you guys.

Reply to shaunkrug
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I would rather go for the upgraded graphics card myself, it seems like the better choice. BF3 is more of a graphics-intense game, and the 955 will hold up fine to that work.

I would get the 6950 1GB actually though, saves a few bucks. The 6950 runs out of juice before it can use the full 2GB. Tom's did an article on it.

Overall, you will see more of a difference between a 5750 and 6950 than a 955 and a FX.

------------------------------ 2500K @4.2| 212+| MSI Z68MA-G45| HIS Radeon 6950 2GB UNLOCKED TO 6970| 12GB Corsair RAM| Ultra LSP 750W| NZXT Vulcan| AOC 23"
Reply to Deemo13

GPU, get a 7950 once they're out ;)

Reply to diec4st

The 955 OCd won't bottleneck any high end SINGLE gpu, so you are in the clear.

I really suggest waiting a tiny bit for the rest of the 7xxx series to be released, the 7970 came out today, so there wont be too long of a wait for the others.

Reply to bawchicawawa

1) Your X4 is a good value gaming cpu. The X6 and x8 amd chips turn out to be poor gaming chips. Your X4 is as good , if not even better for gaming.

2) I agree with the graphics card upgrade. Your psu can power any single card made today.

3) To prove this to yourself,
Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.

If you eventually need to upgrade your x4, look to sandy bridge or, in april, ivy bridge.

Reply to geofelt

After looking at a lot of reviews I've self talked myself out of a 6950 and into a 6870 around 15 % more performance for around 70 or more dollars is really hard to swallow.

6870 can be found for 160 or less with rebates (look hard)
6950 1GB can be found for 230 maybe less.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=331

Seriously have a look

Reply to spentshells

The 955 should be just fine for gaming. As for your card, first question is what is your budget?


Message edited by FlintIronStagg on 01-09-2012 at 04:27:38 AM
Reply to FlintIronStagg

Go for the 6950 1Gb, serious buck for bang...you won't be dissapointed :) your cpu is fine, even better when clocked.

------------------------------ Intel Core I5 760@3.5Ghz,Gigabyte P55A UD3,Corsair XMS3 4GB,Gigabyte Radeon HD6950 1GB,Coolermaster HAFX and V8 Cooler,Corsair GS 600 PSU,Seagate 1TB + 500GB
Reply to joewena
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