Which upgrade would show the most gain?

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Vampir1c

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Hey guys, I plan on upgrading my current PC below
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
GPU: Galaxy GeForce 465GTX 1GB
CPU: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 810 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
RAM: 8GB

Long story short, been putting off upgrading my PC because I was saving, now I have to take surgery and it's going to cost me a good chunk of my savings. I have enough to either upgrade the motherboard + cpu, or the gfx card. Which would I see the most gain from? Plan on gaming a good amount after the operation that's why I'm looking to upgrade now instead of waiting.

I'm looking at either a
Mobo: 970A-G46 AM3+ with
CPU: FX 8320 Black Edition 3.5GHz AM3+

or

GPU:
nVidia Geforce 660 GTX 2GB.

Thanks in advance guys!
 
Solution
geofelt
Your x4 is a reasonably capable gaming cpu.
Since few games use more than 2-3 cores, I think the 8 core FX-8320 would not help.
My guess is that a graphics upgrade would be more effective.

But, To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power...
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ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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Whats your budget? Your best value option right now is probably a CPU cooler and a new graphics card and OC that graphics card.

I ask for your budget, because there aren't many cases where a GTX660 is considered good value.

Something to keep in mind is that your motherboard supports Bulldozer processors, admittedly only the fx4130, but its AN upgrade path.
 
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Vampir1c

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I have about $200 give or take to spend. I feel a bit limited with my current mobo, and I feel like it's time to change, even though the 8 cores are not currently utilized well enough (last I heard) regardless I will eventually end up with the motherboard/cpu and gpu, but I can only make one choice for now.

 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Your x4 is a reasonably capable gaming cpu.
Since few games use more than 2-3 cores, I think the 8 core FX-8320 would not help.
My guess is that a graphics upgrade would be more effective.

But, To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
 
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Trenchcoat

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An upgrade also depends on what games you play. Some are more cpu dependant like MMO's, others are more GPU dependant like FPS's. Online multiplayer FPS's like battlefield need both. Other really helpful info is your gaming resolution.
 
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Vampir1c

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Thanks for your input guys. Geofelt, I will run those test when I get home tonight.

Trenchcoat, I generally play just about everything besides MMO's, or any online games (don't really have much time for them) I'm the type of person to play only the single player campaign of games like COD lol.
 
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ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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For $200:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($166.10 @ Newegg)
Total: $186.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-31 11:54 EDT-0400)

would probably give you the best upgrade path. Changing Your processor to a 8350 would give you a 5-10FPS boost depending on the game, but changing your graphics card and OCing that phenom would bring you somewhere in the region of 30-50FPS increase in most games.
 
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Vampir1c

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Hmm interesting, I already own that cooler, and researched overclocking but never felt comfortable enough to go ahead with it. Also I'm a bit of an nVidia fanboy so applying the same logic, I would assume the graphics card would benefit me the most?
 
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Trenchcoat

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From your earlier reply, yes you will see the most benefit from a graphics card upgrade, an overclock will also help and as you already have a capable cooler you can do it for free (except for the electricity bill).
 
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ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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Problem is at the $200 price point the 7870 Ghz edition at the $166 mark and the 7870 XT blows everything out of the water that Nvidia offers at that price point.

If you like Nvidia the closest comparable card to the 7870 Ghz edition is the GTX760, and the same goes for the 7870 XT.

The 760 is still better in some games, but the Ghz edition and XT edition of the 7870 are closer to the 760 than the 660Ti.

Some benchmarks: (NOTE: THE CARD IN THE BENCHES is the 7870 NOT the 7870 Ghz edition or the 7870 XT, which is better than the 7870 by a fair margin)
760 vs 7870 (NOT Ghz edition or XT edition):
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/854?vs=857

660Ti vs 7870 (NOT Ghz edition or XT edition):
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/860?vs=857

The 660Ti is $70 more than the 7870 Ghz edition and the 760 is $85 more than the 7870 Ghz edition.
 
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