Upgrade time? Input appreciated.

[Peen]

Hey guys! Been awhile since I've been on here, so I'm pretty much clueless on current gen hardware or if I even need to upgrade. I did just order a new GFX card to replace my Sapphire 4850X2. It works ok, but it just sucks up too much power, too loud and has too many Xfire issues. So I ordered the Gigabyte 670GTX OC.

Rest of current specs are...
W3520 @ 4.2ghz HT on watercooled
DFI UT X58 board
12GB DDR
Intel 80GB SSD OS drive
Supertalent 60GB with some games
couple TB storage.
LG 23" IPS

Is there any reason to upgrade really except less heat output? Thanks

[OS-Wiz]

Great 670 decision!
It would be best if you could provide how the system is used in general terms, and the number on thing you need it to do (Gaming, Surfing, whatever).
Check out the new Intel Ivy Bridge CPUs -- they're a couple generations newer than your current CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=Ivy%20Bridge
And the Z77 chipset mobo's: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...me=Intel%20Z77

[Peen]

I game and surf the web, sometimes use it to play itunes at same time on HiFi system. I game at 1080p with everything maxed out if I can. I guess I don't need the best system ever but I do like to have to have something awesome (this is XS afterall)

What would Ivy Bridge do for me really? I'm assuming suck up less power and make less heat, but is that really about it or would I notice anything in general usage and games? Thanks

[OS-Wiz]

I game and surf the web, sometimes use it to play itunes at same time on HiFi system. I game at 1080p with everything maxed out if I can. I guess I don't need the best system ever but I do like to have to have something awesome (this is XS afterall)

What would Ivy Bridge do for me really? I'm assuming suck up less power and make less heat, but is that really about it or would I notice anything in general usage and games? Thanks

Well, for Gaming, all you really need is that 670 upgrade (got enough PSU to handle it?). Beyond a two gen upgrade to Ivy Bridge, moving up to the Z77 chipset gets you SATA3 6GB and and USB3 if you'd like.

[CrazyNutz]

I'd say the 670 is really all you need ATM, unless your just keen on spending money

With an Ivy you would gain some, and use less power. However I doubt you would notice much performance compared to what you have now. I would wait
for next gen to upgrade CPU/MOBO/RAM.

[Peen]

For PSU I have enough, it's a Corsair HX850.

GTX 670 is working fine, but only will run at PCIE Gen2 8x under load. Pop my old 4850x2 back in and its back up to 16x. New 670 works in AMD rig I have at 16x so must be some sort of issue with videocard and motherboard. DFI X58 is dead so no new bios updates to try

[Chickenfeed]

For PSU I have enough, it's a Corsair HX850.

GTX 670 is working fine, but only will run at PCIE Gen2 8x under load. Pop my old 4850x2 back in and its back up to 16x. New 670 works in AMD rig I have at 16x so must be some sort of issue with videocard and motherboard. DFI X58 is dead so no new bios updates to try

That is very strange but I woudln't worry too much as the difference between 8 and 16 is within a reasonable margin of error on the 6xx cards (-/+ 1%)

In regards to the rest of the system, other than less power draw you wouldn't see significant gains elsewhere unless you have hardware that will take advantage of 6Gbit Sata ( you can always add USB 3 pcie cards to exsisting mobos so I don't look at that as a overly significant omission )

I went from a 920 to a 2600K and other than drawing half the power there were minimal to no gains in most games. Some productivity applications can see respectable improvements but for general use it wouldn't be anything to write home about in my eyes.