GPU worth the upgrade?

Hardware GPU
1

Hey all. I'm having troubles running graphically demanding games, Such as Battlefield 3 and now, Battlefield 4. In BF4, I get around 30 fps on high settings, and only 30 fps or lower. Would it make a big difference to just get another card for Crossfire, or should I spend a wad of cash and get something beefy, maybe even upgrade to a new PC? Maybe Intel, and Nvidia.. the more expensive route. Although it sounds like a good idea, I'm trying to save some money.
My system specs are as follows.

  • CPU: AMD fx6200 @ 3.8Ghz
  • CPU Cooler: cooler master 212 evo
  • GPU: HIS 7870 Ghz edition
  • mobo: Asus m5a97 r2.0 
  • RAM: 8gb gskill sniper series 
  • SSD: 250 gb 840 Samsung 
  • PSU: Corsair cx750


What do you recommend? Thanks in advance! 

2

Well...crossfire would be the more cost effective solution. With your card alone, you should be able to run BF3 at least at 60+fps on high, but not ultra, that is if you're gaming at 1080p. Perhaps your CPU is bottle-necking the card

According to Tom's Hardware, you should be able to run BF3 at around 65FPS. Then again, they do have an i7 2600K; that;s why I brought up that your cpu might be the bottleneck.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148-6.html

Upgrade to an 8350, if that's still not enough, then upgrade the card.

 

 

 

3

I agree. While selling your current card and using that to net a single new one for the same (maybe) price might be a good option, it is quite the hassle.

A 7870 crossfire will run well, unless you are affected by uneven frame times.

I also agree with the 8350 too.

Maybe a single card would be better because your motherboard only runs CF in x16 and x4 mode. This would equate to ~3% less performance. (In the BF3 example, ~2 fps).

4

I dont think an 8350 will make much of a difference, being that it processes things relatively the same, with more cores and a higher clock rate. I've come to find out after i bought it, that an fx series processor was an awful decision. I'm now positive its my processor, as when I ran MSI afterburner it maxed out at 67% usage in bf4 and went no further. I know the game is poorly optimized at the moment, but even when it comes to BF3, a 7870 should be able to max it out at a decent frame rate with the right processor.

I'll probably keep the card and get a new mobo/processor. 4770k and asus maximus hero IV, and then upgrade to another 7870 or maybe sell it and get a 770. Yay, more money to spend. It's a hard decision!