Should I upgrade CPU or GPU first for gaming?

[chevalier88]

I'm wondering between CPU and GPU, which one should I upgrade first to have a better gaming experience?

My current Rig :

AsRock B85 killer + i5 4460

RAM 2x 4GB DDR3

PSU (forgotten what brand ) but without opening up my CPU, I can see the PSU model is SF650F14MG
So..I'm guessing my psu Is superflower 650W?

GTX 970
Monitor 144hz Benq 2430T

For CPU wise, I'm planning to get the 8700k and for GPU 1080. But I've a question..will my current mobo ASROCK b85 killer be able to install 8700k or I need to change mobo as well?

 

[watzup_ken]

For gaming, you only need to upgrade graphic card.

For CPU, if you are considering Intel, then you must be prepared to change your motherboard every 2 years. Of late, the cycle is even shorter at 1 year. So short answer to whether you need to change motherboard is yes. Plus, you will also need to change your ram since they run on DDR4 now.

 

[jtjt00]

Change cpu is like complete overhaul.

 

[ragnarok95]

Your current B85 mobo won't be able to support 8700K.

You need to change your motherboard.

 

[chevalier88]

For gaming, you only need to upgrade graphic card.

For CPU, if you are considering Intel, then you must be prepared to change your motherboard every 2 years. Of late, the cycle is even shorter at 1 year. So short answer to whether you need to change motherboard is yes. Plus, you will also need to change your ram since they run on DDR4 now.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Guess, I most likely will just upgrade my gtx 970 to msi GTX 1080..but will take into consideration of upgrading cpu too if budget allow me to change so many parts just for the cpu.

 

[chevalier88]

Your current B85 mobo won't be able to support 8700K.

You need to change your motherboard.

and If I wanna get 8700k, not only do I need to change motherboard..I also need to change the ram to ddr4 yes?

 

[chevalier88]

Change cpu is like complete overhaul.

if change CPU, I only need to change my mobo + ram only right?

 

[Koenig168]

if change CPU, I only need to change my mobo + ram only right?

Yup, though if you are changing so many components, might as well change the PSU as well (if more than a few years old).

 

[ElZedHaitch]

if change CPU, I only need to change my mobo + ram only right?

I mean. other than these not much else to change alr...

But IMO. 2 things.

I think a gpu upgrade should get you a lot better fps.

But CPU nowadays is very important as well. especially if you want to hit the very high framerates. Its fps/dollar is of course lower than a GPU. but many games now are cpu bound

 

[chevalier88]

Yup, though if you are changing so many components, might as well change the PSU as well (if more than a few years old).

About 2 years old Superflower 650w, should do me fine I suppose?

Any recommendation for 8700k mobo and rams?

 

[fzhfzh]

Do you need to upgrade? I’m using 970 now as well and no problem with any games on max settings so far. 1080 is not really a huge improvement. If I were you I would wait a few more month. Volta is releasing early next year.

 

[chevalier88]

I mean. other than these not much else to change alr...

But IMO. 2 things.

I think a gpu upgrade should get you a lot better fps.

But CPU nowadays is very important as well. especially if you want to hit the very high framerates. Its fps/dollar is of course lower than a GPU. but many games now are cpu bound

Ya, I agree with you on many games these days are quite cpu bound. Which is why I'm afraid that after upgrading my GPU to 1080, I won't feel much improvement because of my CPU is just an I5-4460

 

[chevalier88]

Do you need to upgrade? I’m using 970 now as well and no problem with any games on max settings so far. 1080 is not really a huge improvement. If I were you I would wait a few more month. Volta is releasing early next year.

Yes, been playing many new MMOs like for example Revelation Online on lowest setting and still getting very low fps as compared to the rest that uses GTX 1080.


How early is next year thou? March/April ? If so.. not sure If I can wait that long haha.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Ya, I agree with you on many games these days are quite cpu bound. Which is why I'm afraid that after upgrading my GPU to 1080, I won't feel much improvement because of my CPU is just an I5-4460

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/cpu-core-scaling-results-with-gp104.2476469/

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Do you need to upgrade? I’m using 970 now as well and no problem with any games on max settings so far. 1080 is not really a huge improvement. If I were you I would wait a few more month. Volta is releasing early next year.

Remember GTX 1080 ≈ GTX 980 SLI? Of course it is a huge improvement.

And this backs it up:

Spoiler

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_1080/26.html

Moreover the Q1 2018 is just a speculation. They may push to late Q2 just like Pascal in May.

TS may wish to leverage on upcoming 12.12 and use the $120 off $800 to get his GTX 1080 at offer price.

 

[Koenig168]

About 2 years old Superflower 650w, should do me fine I suppose?

Any recommendation for 8700k mobo and rams?

You can look at PC Themes price-list and pick a CPU+MB combo there. The bundle discount makes local prices quite competitive, especially since you've missed the Amazon Black Friday deals.

As for RAM, all I can say is that prices are sky-high ATM. Depends on your budget. 16GB is around S$250 to 350.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

You can look at PC Themes price-list and pick a CPU+MB combo there. The bundle discount makes local prices quite competitive, especially since you've missed the Amazon Black Friday deals.

As for RAM, all I can say is that prices are sky-high ATM. Depends on your budget. 16GB is around S$250 to 350.

There are always Lazada/Qoo10/Shopee too... Maximise your spending power on 12.12 with all the coupons...

 

[chevalier88]

Remember GTX 1080 ≈ GTX 980 SLI? Of course it is a huge improvement.

And this backs it up:

Spoiler

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_1080/26.html

Moreover the Q1 2018 is just a speculation. They may push to late Q2 just like Pascal in May.

TS may wish to leverage on upcoming 12.12 and use the $120 off $800 to get his GTX 1080 at offer price.

Sorry, I just noticed your post.

I'm considering myself to get the MSI 1080 Gaming X 8G edition, is this a good buy or should I consider other brands?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Sorry, I just noticed your post.

I'm considering myself to get the MSI 1080 Gaming X 8G edition, is this a good buy or should I consider other brands?

If you do not mind international warranty, can take those EVGAs under $700 from Amazon Prime Now. If not you can wait another 5 days for 12.12 Lazada Online Revolution and compare prices after discount.

 

[chevalier88]

If you do not mind international warranty, can take those EVGAs under $700 from Amazon Prime Now. If not you can wait another 5 days for 12.12 Lazada Online Revolution and compare prices after discount.

I just checked sg prime now, they don't have EVGA 1080 under 700 but EVGA gtx 1070 is selling for $648 thou.

Yup, just 5 days more..I wouldn't really mind waiting. But do you think getting 1070 TI is more bang for bucks as compared to 1080?