Which to upgrade first? CPU / GPU

[ystoh133]

Currently still running an ivy bridge i7-3770 paired with a gtx970, just wondering if I were to upgrade between the 2... the wiser choice would be to a skylake/kabylake rather than a 1070++?

 

[xonix]

GPU first. Confirm guarantee chop unless your games are all bottleneck by CPU.

 

[Calikura]

What games do you play most / what do you mainly use your machine for?

Generally I would say GPU, but some of the hot new titles (like PUBG) don't need more than a GTX970, but can really benefit from a CPU with more cores/threads and higher IPC..

 

[ystoh133]

What games do you play most / what do you mainly use your machine for?

Generally I would say GPU, but some of the hot new titles (like PUBG) don't need more than a GTX970, but can really benefit from a CPU with more cores/threads and higher IPC..

I currently play PUBG, which I'm not sure if the CPU is actually bottlenecking, preventing me from getting frames, or is the game just not yet fully optimized. I normally also play AAA titles. Currently waiting for Monster Hunter world though.

 

[Calikura]

I currently play PUBG, which I'm not sure if the CPU is actually bottlenecking, preventing me from getting frames, or is the game just not yet fully optimized. I normally also play AAA titles. Currently waiting for Monster Hunter world though.

PUBG was recently optimized to take advantage of 6+ cores. You may notice some improvement in performance if you get a newer CPU. It's still far from fully optimized though. Problem with getting a newer CPU is that you'll also need a new mobo, and DDR4 RAM (stupidly expensive right now).

Since you also play AAA titles, I think the better overall benefit is still from upgrading your GPU, perhaps to a 1070 or 1080 if you are looking for price/perf sweet spots. Maybe even Vega 56 if you can get it at MSRP (and have enough PSU muscle)

 

[Firefly01]

You can open Resource Monitor in Windows before you start playing your games. When you're done playing, look at the CPU usage. If it is nowhere near 100%, getting a better GPU will definitely help more than upgrading your CPU.

Also remember that with a new CPU, you will definitely need a new motherboard and DDR4 RAM.

 

[singupingu]

GPU for sure. If possible GTX 1080.

CPU is a bad time now as Kaby Lake phasing out for incoming Coffee Lake and RAM are stupidly expensive now. Unless you wanna get Ryzen, then by all mean you can get them but still, RAM is stupidly expensive now.

Sent from PM me if you wanna build a DIY PC or wanna learn how to make one yourself using GAGT

 

[eng11658]

Apologies for hijacking... Wanna borrow this thread cos I got similar question... I am currently running i7-3770 with GTX670 and 8gb DDR3 RAM

Is it feasible or worth upgrading my GPU to GTX1060 and above?

Also, I recently have this problem of memory not enough popups when I tried playing Fallout 4 with Google chrome on in the background... Not enough RAM problem?

 

[Ah Ken]

Hello fellow bros who are enquiring whether to up your GPU or CPU. I would all the other advices given are good. Just stick with GPU first. Monitor your CPU usage then decide. CPU upgrade is a major system upgrade with many parts needed to change to suit the new generation.

For myself, I am still using my i5-2500. How far have my system gone through? Well from GTX 560, R9 270x, R9 390x and finally a GTX 1080. My gaming experience has improved by alot. My CPU is still going strong although my usb ports on my MB have died. I have budget constraint on my end so overall I really still enjoy my gaming experience. I am able to enjoy Overwatch, Titanfall, Battlefield 3 to 1, all the COD titles with my 1080p monitor happily. So I would say GPU is a better choice. Besides u can bring your GPU over in an event of system change.

Decide which card is better value for youself liao, its own preference for this end.

 

[singupingu]

Apologies for hijacking... Wanna borrow this thread cos I got similar question... I am currently running i7-3770 with GTX670 and 8gb DDR3 RAM

Is it feasible or worth upgrading my GPU to GTX1060 and above?

Also, I recently have this problem of memory not enough popups when I tried playing Fallout 4 with Google chrome on in the background... Not enough RAM problem?

Up to a gtx 1070 is totally fine. Upgrade another 8gb ram and you will do okay.

Sent from PM me if you wanna build a DIY PC or wanna learn how to make one yourself using GAGT

 

[eng11658]

Up to a gtx 1070 is totally fine. Upgrade another 8gb ram and you will do okay.

Sent from PM me if you wanna build a DIY PC or wanna learn how to make one yourself using GAGT

Thanks bro... Thought initially my CPU/mobo might not support that GFX.. But not sure if its worth buying DDR3 ram now.. since its very expensive nowadays

 

[singupingu]

Thanks bro... Thought initially my CPU/mobo might not support that GFX.. But not sure if its worth buying DDR3 ram now.. since its very expensive nowadays

I pair a gtx 1070 with i5-6500 on a 1080p 60hz screen. Some say overkill but I find it balance nicely for AAA titles where I can max graphic comfortably without bottleneck. If you don't explore new games or AAA games, then gtx 1060 will be better value. If it balance well for an i5, it should do the same for your i7 albeit the generation difference but the improvement per generation is damn miniscule I would consider that 2 CPU as equal performance.

RAM wise find 2nd hand ba. I snagged a 4x4gb kit from carousell previously for 120 only. See luck, browse browse around ba.

Sent from PM me if you wanna build a DIY PC or wanna learn how to make one yourself using GAGT

 

[wwenze]

Reduce graphics resolution. (But keep the rest of the settings the same.) Does FPS stay constant? Then you're CPU-bottlenecked.