Where should I go next?

[gr!m]

Hey everyone, just got another Radeon 5770 and CrossfireX'ed my system. Liked the performance increase but wouldn't say I loved it. GTA:EFLC only gained about a 5-8FPS increase on average. Now FarCry 2 went from averaging 48-50 to 65-70, but I don't feel like the difference was noticable enough to earn my $200 spent on the card. I plan to return the card to bestbuy and invest in something else.

Current Setup:

AMD 955 BE @ Stock 3.2Ghz - Cooled With a Xigmatek Rifle 92mm
ASUS EVO Motherboard
4GB OCZ Black Edition DDR3 1600
500GB WD Black SATA HDD
(2X) XFX XXX 5770 1GB
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w PSU (Ran Xfire fine on these cards)
NZXT Gamma Case

I wouldn't say I play anything like Crysis hardcore enough to make it worth it. Yet the increase from crossfire was nice in things like TF2, GTA IV, Sims 3, Supreme Commander 2...

So should I teke the card back and invest the money in something better, say SSD, more memory, better PSU + Case, ect. Or should I keep it? Another option was selling them both and buying a 5850 or something.

 

[King Icewind]

I would go for a 5850. Performance wise, two 5770's will come to be about the same as a 5850/70 given that the program/game can utilize a Crossfire. So if the game can't your stuck with a single 5770 performance. Also with the 5850, you can crossfire them in the future, and will consume less heat. It will also be easier to sell if you ever decide too.

On the contrary, having to take the card back and then selling your other card, seems like a pain.

So, idk, man. I really like my 5850, and I think you would like it too.

 

[Dangman]

What resolution are you playing at?

If HD 5770 CF isn't doing it for you, then a HD 5850 wouldn't be a good buy since HD 5770 CF is roughly the same as HD 5850. Now if the performance increase from HD 5770 CF was not noticiable enough to justify your $200, then just return it and save the money for another day.

No need for more RAM unless you're running Photoshop or virtual machines. No need for a better quality PSU until you get a better video card. No need for a SSD if you're only looking for increased gaming performance. Maybe a new case if you don't like your current case.

So basically not much you can really upgrade. I mean if you're unsatisfied after spending $200 for HD 5770 CF, then there's really not much you can upgrade in terms of gaming performance that would be worth it to you.

 

[MuZI]

AMD 955 BE @ Stock 3.2Ghz - Cooled With a Xigmatek Rifle 92mm

Hmmm...

Is ocing the processor out of the question?

 

[Falling Anvil]

OC the sucka!

 

[gr!m]

Got my XFX XXX 5770 unlocked with the Asus Bios running stock volts 975/1400 vs 850/1200(875/1300 for my "xxx" edition lol).

I tried OCing my 955. I can get ~3.6ghz stable. Can't quite get 3.8 on stock volts. Also I have the Asus Evo mobo and when I add volts in the BIOS it's not showing up in CPU-Z...any ideas. I was just gonna pop it up to 1.375 to see if it's stable. It's been a while since I've been on the OC scene....my last chip was an intel e8600 a couple years ago.

Also I'm gaming at 1680x1050 with my current crappy gateway monitor so I guess I really don't get the full crossfire effect.

edit:

OC'ed the processor. Looks like 3.8 is my ceiling on this one. Just can't get it at all stable at 4.0.

3.8ghz @ 1.45v 33C IDLE 51C LOAD - Ran Prime95 torture test for just 30 minutes. No BSOD, will fiurther test it tomorrow.
NB VID @ 1.2
DDR @ 1.8 (default)

Seems a bit hot to anyone? Let me know...It's been a while since I've OC'ed anything. *cough Opteron 144, Brisbane, and e8600*
Also how do those volts sound?