# Gaming computer help (Andromeda-related) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 11, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933 "2017-03-11T15:25:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/21 "2017-03-13T11:31:59Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I’d put GPU above SSD Me too, generally. The order I named them wasn’t the order of importance. In Ritter’s case, he should probably wait until the 11 or 12 series comes out before upgrading his GPU unless he wants to get into VR (and then he’ll need to upgrade his CPU as well). Ritter, what’s your upgrade budget? We might be able to suggest upgrades for that dollar range. I’m particularly curious about what the newer displays are like at various price points. I have two displays, the bigger of which is about a 23inch 1080p too and I’ve been thinking of upgrading. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/22 "2017-03-13T14:39:20Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Me too, generally. The order I named them wasn’t the order of importance. In Ritter’s case, he should probably wait until the 11 or 12 series comes out before upgrading his GPU unless he wants to get into VR (and then he’ll need to upgrade his CPU as well). > > Ritter, what’s your upgrade budget? We might be able to suggest upgrades for that dollar range. I’m particularly curious about what the newer displays are like at various price points. I have two displays, the bigger of which is about a 23inch 1080p too and I’ve been thinking of upgrading. I think my GPU is technically capable of being used for the Oculus, although my CPU is definitely not ready for it. I don’t have any specific budget in mind, since I’m hoping I don’t have to upgrade. These gifts from my kids get expensive! When they bought me GTA 5, I had to buy a new GPU. That would be pretty cheap compared to upgrading my CPU, motherboard, and memory. If I do have to upgrade, I love finding those sweet-spot pieces of technology. I think the i7-920 was a sweet spot at the time – great performance, just a little slower clock speed compared to the 950, and substantially cheaper. Assuming I “only” have to change my CPU, motherboard, and memory, what do you recommend? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/23 "2017-03-13T15:27:16Z")
I think unlocked i5s are in the sweet spot for gaming. So, a 7600K, perhaps. Or a used i5 4690K. I don’t know about motherboard and RAM other than you’d likely end up with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. You could get higher performance with higher clocked RAM but really, if your most demanding task is gaming, you’ll be just fine with 16GB of middling DDR4 RAM. Actually, now that I think about it, perhaps you might get a better second hand CPU that would be compatible with your current motherboard. That would enable you to get a better CPU while retainining your motherboard and RAM. If you tell us what your motherboard is, we might be able to tell you what used CPUs it’s compatible with. If it’s compatible with an i5 4690K, you should be fine for half a decade more at least. You still don’t have to upgrade unless you’re looking at VR or some productivity tasks. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/24 "2017-03-13T15:39:30Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > I think unlocked i5s are in the sweet spot for gaming. So, a 7600K, perhaps. Or a used i5 4690K. > > I don’t know about motherboard and RAM other than you’d likely end up with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. You could get higher performance with higher clocked RAM but really, if your most demanding task is gaming, you’ll be just fine with 16GB of middling DDR4 RAM. > Actually, now that I think about it, perhaps you might get a better second hand CPU that would be compatible with your current motherboard. That would enable you to get a better CPU while retainining your motherboard and RAM. If you tell us what your motherboard is, we might be able to tell you what used CPUs it’s compatible with. If it’s compatible with an i5 4690K, you should be fine for half a decade more at least. > You still don’t have to upgrade unless you’re looking at VR or some productivity tasks. The first generation of the Core i7s used a 1366 socket. That particular socket only seemed to last for a short time, unfortunately. The i5-4960k seems to want an 1150 socket. Are there sources for used CPUs? A used 980x or whatever the peak version of my line of CPUs would probably be pretty neat. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/25 "2017-03-13T15:49:00Z")
Yeah, looks like you’re out of luck for that socket. Looking at Newegg, the prices for LGA 1366 CPUs are 440, 715 and 580CAD$. It probably wouldn’t be worth it to upgrade a first gen i7 to another first gen i7 anyway. There are used CPUs on Ebay. You might score a good MOBO/CPU. Perhaps there are ways to unlock your CPU even if it’s locked. That would entail some risk. You could do that when you’re at the point where you’re seriously thinking of upgrading anyway. Pinky swear you’ll update this thread when the game comes out and tell us if it works on your system. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/26 "2017-03-13T16:20:35Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > i7 960 > 12 Gigs of RAM > AMD 5870 w/ 1 gig > Windows 10 (upgraded from 7) > > I don’t buy as many games as I used to but to date I have not bought a game I couldn’t run at least on medium settings and most I could do higher. Actually, looking at youtube and performance on the Witcher 3, it seems like you’ll be ok for 30 FPS. Texture quality, you’ll probably have to turn down to medium, possibly low. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/27 "2017-03-13T16:23:13Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > It’s such a treadmill. Seems like just a short time ago that the 970 was pretty killer. > > Thanks, everyone, for the help! It’s still killer, but max settings are always a moving target. Performance at high settings on that card is still pretty much the same for most games. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/28 "2017-03-13T16:49:53Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Pinky swear you’ll update this thread when the game comes out and tell us if it works on your system. I’ll definitely report back! Or, in lawyer-speak, so pinky-sworn. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/29 "2017-03-13T18:32:40Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Actually, looking at youtube and performance on the Witcher 3, it seems like you’ll be ok for 30 FPS. Texture quality, you’ll probably have to turn down to medium, possibly low. That is good to know. Thank you. I find as I get older I care more about the story than the graphics anyway. I might even play it on easy (scandal!) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/30 "2017-03-13T19:22:43Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > That is good to know. Thank you. I find as I get older I care more about the story than the graphics anyway. I might even play it on easy (scandal!) 🙂 Pretty sure that is a bannable offense. I’ve reported your post. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/31 "2017-03-13T20:44:07Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Pretty sure that is a bannable offense. I’ve reported your post. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![angel159](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f07891/32.png) [@angel159](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angel159)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/32 "2017-03-16T13:11:33Z")
I would recommend you to change only a graphic card to EVGA GeForce GTX 1070. It runs WoW on Ultra at 4k without trouble 65-105 fps depending what I’m doing in the game. > **[5 Best Graphics Cards Reviews of 2023 - BestAdvisor.com](https://www.bestadvisor.com/best-graphics-cards)** > > Detailed Graphics Cards reviews, along with specs, comparisons and guides to help you make the right choice. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/33 "2017-03-16T13:13:51Z")
> [@angel159](#): > > I would recommend you to change only a graphic card to EVGA GeForce GTX 1070. It runs WoW on Ultra at 4k without trouble 65-105 fps depending what I’m doing in the game. > [5 Best Graphics Cards Reviews of 2023 - BestAdvisor.com](https://www.bestadvisor.com/best-graphics-cards) Yeah, it’s often worth skipping 1-2 generations with GPUs (even more so with CPUs). Unless you’re quite specific with the minimum performance you want or there’s specific tech linked to it. EVGA has a good reputation. What does it offer over alternatives? ---
**Author:** ![angel159](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f07891/32.png) [@angel159](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angel159)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/34 "2017-03-16T13:22:07Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Yeah, it’s often worth skipping 1-2 generations with GPUs (even more so with CPUs). Unless you’re quite specific with the minimum performance you want or there’s specific tech linked to it. > > EVGA has a good reputation. What does it offer over alternatives? I chose this particular card due to the high quality of construction, EVGA Customer Service and Support, and I received a significant and stable overclock out of the box. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/35 "2017-03-16T13:27:01Z")
> [@angel159](#): > > I received a significant and stable overclock out of the box. C’mon, there’s a part of you that wants to brag, how much did you get? : ) In what way(s) do the higher quality materials and better support provide a better experience? ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/36 "2017-03-16T23:45:34Z")
In case this helps anyone: i5 6600k @ 4.8 Ghz GTX 1080 @ 2 Ghz 3440x1440[ 21:9 monitor. Running on everything at ultra, except HBAO which is set to… well HBAO (not using HBAO full) I’m getting pretty solid 60 FPS during gameplay. cut scenes drop to the 40’s though. HBAO full tanks my performance. Sad that they didn’t implement HBAO + which would perform better than their HBAO AND also look better ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/37 "2017-03-16T23:50:11Z")
Kinthalis, What made you go with the i5 rather than i7? Could you describe how the monitor improves the experience? Did you try 4K and if so, how does that compare to your monitor? ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/38 "2017-03-17T13:53:08Z")
i5 vs i7? Money 🙂 It was cheaper that’s all, I was upgrading my entire system so I had a budget and I decided to go with a 1080 + i5 vs 1070 + i7. Of course prices have now dropped a bit thanks to Ryzen. Should have waited, but then isn’t that always the case? 😉 I might upgrade to an i7 at some point, especially since I’m feeling the hit when transcoding video, but not for a while yet. Most games don’t benefit enough to make it a priority either, especially over a beefier GPU. I’m also not in the market for a new TV, so no 4K, and I kind of fell in love with the ultra wide ratio for productivity (nice to have 3 side by side panels in my programming IDE’s) and for immersion in gaming. Love having that extra peripheral. I just wished the 21:9 aspect ratio was taken more into account by devs. All cutscenes in ME:A are 16:9 so I get the black bars on the left and right. But the gameplay is 21:9, so that’s good. Any game that supports 21:9 well, and also includes a FOV setting is fantastic at 21:9. It’s a nice compromise over having a gigantic, TV sized 4K monitor that provided the same horizontal FOV, in terms of desk space AND GPU horsepower. My 1080 couldn’t do full 4K at the same settings and performance, I’d have to turn things down or use resolution scaling. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/39 "2017-03-17T20:15:45Z")
Does having the OS on something like the [Samsung 960 EVO](https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147595) make sense? ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933/40 "2017-03-17T20:44:12Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Does having the OS on something like the [Samsung 960 EVO](https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147595) make sense? Why else would you spend the load of money on an M.2 drive? If I had one of those my OS would be the first thing on there, along with Visual Studio and Premier/Photoshop. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-computer-help-andromeda-related/781933.md?page=3)