GPU vs CPU! What do I upgrade?

GameLaxxer · Dec 23, 2013

I am going to be upgrading my crappy "gaming" PC. I want to be able to play Battlefield 4, Assassins Creed 4, or whatever else comes to the market. I don't care about playing at ultra setting, medium is fine. All I need is at least 45 FPS. My question is that I don't know what component to upgrade. I have a radeon hd 6450 GPU and an Athlon II x2 270 CPU, Both are absolutely shitty. Which should I upgrade. I have a budget of $120. Help...

chrisso · Dec 23, 2013

Your gpu is holding back the cpu a long way there. Put in a hd 7750 , and I am sure the amd people here will tell you which 2nd hand cpu to add later. Another core would help.

JuX · Dec 23, 2013

Yeah get a gpu, something like a sapphire hd7770 ghz oc, that should be around 120 bucks.

chrisso · Dec 23, 2013

Your cpu scores 1900 cpu marks, so its not as poor as you think.

smorizio · Dec 23, 2013

I would hold onto your cash and when new amd apu drops in feb. wait and see how well they run. with an amd apu you get a faster gpu and cpu in one part. looking at 80.00 for a new mb and 80-100 for the apu chip. the newer apu may do hybread crossfire and let you reuse your 6450.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dual-graphics-crossfire-benchmark,3583.html

de5_Roy · Dec 23, 2013

gfx card upgrade is easier and often costs less since cpu upgrade often force a motherboard upgrade.

if you must buy now, (assuming you're in the u.s.), and use rebates:
gigabyte 7790 2gb (dual fan cooler)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125454
asus 7790 1 gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121727

w/o rebates:
gigabyte 7790 1gb (single fan cooler)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125455

recommendations are based on price.

i think the cpu is gonna hold you back a bit in demanding multiplayer fps. anyway, here's how 7790 performed at 1080p high quality in bf4 beta:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-4-graphics-card-performance,3634-7.html

GameLaxxer · Dec 23, 2013

There's something else I was looking into also. What about an AMD APU? Again, I don't mind running at low-medium setting, I just want to play. Do you think a Richland or Kaveri APU would be better? If so, should I get a Richland APU, or wait for Kaveri?

MC_K7 · Dec 23, 2013

chrisso :

But it's not that strong either. The guy said he wants to play Battlefield 4 which is really demanding. Even new i5 quad-core and i7 six-core go to 100% of usage with this game sometimes.

Maybe if he buys a better video card and doesn't max out the game he might reach playable FPS, but be prepared to turn off a lot things graphics wise (no AA, no AF, texture quality to a minimum, turn off smoke and lighting effects, etc...).

de5_Roy · Dec 23, 2013

GameLaxxer :

amd apu is their marketing term for processors with cpu and gpu fabricated together (with integrated gpu having nearly half of die area). the top apu's igpu is faster than radeon hd 6450, but for the games and settings you listed, you'd need a discreet gfx card. and the top richland a10 6800k itself cost around $140.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331
it really depends on your budget. you said that you have $120 to spend. that won't get you a decent richland cpu+mobo combo. you might have to buy new system ram as well.
as for kaveri, it isn't out yet. you should decide for yourself when the reviews come out.

Search

GPU vs CPU! What do I upgrade?

GameLaxxer

Honorable

de5_Roy

chrisso

Honorable

JuX

Honorable

chrisso

Honorable

smorizio

Titan

de5_Roy

Splendid

GameLaxxer

Honorable

MC_K7

Distinguished

de5_Roy

Splendid

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page