Recommendations for upgrades

[firezero10]

My desktop have reached its third year and I feel that it is unable to keep up with the games released recently. I also want to try out using ssd as the price has fallen quite a bit compared to three years ago.

For those on mobile, this is my current specs.
I5 2500k
5850 cfx
8gb ram
1 tb hdd
Cm haf 912 advanced

My budget is around 700 dollars mainly looking for gpu and ssd. Thanks in advance.

 

[EienShouko]

A Sapphire Tri X 290 ($598) + Crucial MX100 128GB ($115) would be a good option.
Or you could topup $50 and get the 256GB SSD.

 

[firezero10]

Thanks. Just wondering if there is any next generation coming up soon so I may want to wait. Also, any suggestions on getting rid of three years of dust accumulated in the rig. Suspecting recent bsod related to ram due to dust....

 

[b3njaminlee]

Thanks. Just wondering if there is any next generation coming up soon so I may want to wait. Also, any suggestions on getting rid of three years of dust accumulated in the rig. Suspecting recent bsod related to ram due to dust....

Haswell refresh, not really a generation but quite new. Board well by Q3 or Q4

Imo, open up the case and take out all the parts. A thorough clean is needed cause 3 years

 

[firezero10]

Just wondering what are the main difference between msi r9 290 gaming and sapphire tri x r9 290. Have been seeing a lot of recommendations for the former card, is the tri x oos?

 

[KingJio]

Just wondering what are the main difference between msi r9 290 gaming and sapphire tri x r9 290. Have been seeing a lot of recommendations for the former card, is the tri x oos?

Sapphire cards have only 2 year warranty and it is physically longer than the MSI card so may not fit in some smaller cases

 

[firezero10]

Sapphire cards have only 2 year warranty and it is physically longer than the MSI card so may not fit in some smaller cases

I checked that I should be able to fit in both cards should I invert the hdd tray or remove the middle tray. Both cards have excellent reviews on the net, so I am not sure which to buy......
For the msi r9 290, I should be looking for t258jgn?

Is r9 290 overkill for a 1080p display? I am looking for the upgrade to last me another 3 or more years for the next overhaul so I thought I want a more powerful card, however, I will be busting my budget in doing so.

 

[shadow84]

I checked that I should be able to fit in both cards should I invert the hdd tray or remove the middle tray. Both cards have excellent reviews on the net, so I am not sure which to buy......
For the msi r9 290, I should be looking for t258jgn?

Is r9 290 overkill for a 1080p display? I am looking for the upgrade to last me another 3 or more years for the next overhaul so I thought I want a more powerful card, however, I will be busting my budget in doing so.

If u r gonna game on 1080p for next 2-3 yrs, den 290 is a better choice.

 

[Swiftbladez]

SSD get from Amazon. Crucial MX100 256GB ~$99 USD now. Need top up another $26 for free shipping but yeah get from Amazon.

That leaves you with about $550 to spend on graphics card? A R9 290 will fit in perfectly well.