Need advice on the next thing to upgrade

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mmatejka

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Feb 5, 2010
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I would like the community's advice on upgrade priority for my gaming PC. My budget is $900, would like to come in as far under that as possible. My general gaming goal is to get as close to sustainable 120 FPS as possible in BF4 or equivalent games on Medium-High settings at 1920x1080 resolution.

The one thing I know I'm getting is an SSD dedicated to games - planning on a 256 GB Samsung 840 Pro. I know that doesn't effect FPS, but my current load times and the occasional mid-game stutter are becoming unacceptable.

I'm thinking that I should get a high end GPU and some inexpensive "wants" (Win 8.1, sound card) and save the CPU upgrade for when I can afford to upgrade to a new mobo, memory, etc. as well.

I don't think it makes sense to buy a new CPU for a dead socket. That said, if I get a GTX 780 and can't realize the full performance improvement because the CPU holds me back, that's just a waste of money.

I don't think that my processor is holding me back from a FPS perspective, but I acknowledge that it's old and could potentially bottleneck a high end gpu in a cpu intensive game like BF4.

So, would you get a GTX 780, no processor upgrade, and add in some "wants", or get a GTX 770 and an i7? Other?


System Specs:
CPU: i5 2500K @ 4.2 GHz
GPU: EVGA Superclocked GTX 570
RAM: 16GB DDR3 1600/PC312800
MB: MSI P67A-G45 LGA1155
HDD: WD 750 GB
SSD: Crucial 64GB MLC (OS only)
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Case: CM 932 HAF
PSU: Corsair HX850W
Monitors: Primary - 24" ASUS VG248QE (120-144 Hz)/ Secondary - 27" LG M2762D
 
Solution
geofelt
I agree, I suspect your best upgrade might be a stronger graphics card.

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 more 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.


You could also experiment with...
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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I agree, I suspect your best upgrade might be a stronger graphics card.

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 more 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.


You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

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.

If you come out thinking cpu is important, you can market your 2500K in favor of a 3570K or even a 3770K.
Your motherboard supports both. The chips can be overclocked to their haswell equivalents.
BF3/4 can be very cpu intensive with lots of participants.
You will nave no issue with activation if you keep your current motherboard.

If you want more graphics, you have some options.

You could try GTX570 sli. Your psu will support it.
I would not go that way and avoid the dual gpu issues of lagging and tearing.

A GTX780 factory overclocked card would be my pick.

Also, the big advantage of Samsung pro over EVO is endurance, and perhaps performance in a server environment.
Unless the prices are close, I would get the EVO. In a desktop environment endurance is no issue, and performance is identical.

I see no advantage of windows 8 over 7, and many seem to have issues with it.
I hated the tile interface, and will stick with 7 until the issues are sorted out better.
 
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mmatejka

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Feb 5, 2010
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18,510
Thank you. I have definitely toyed with the graphics settings and seen significant differences in FPS when doing so. I have also ran with 1-2 of my cores parked, and noticed an increase when I opened up all 4. I would say I fall into the "balanced" category you mentioned - I'm going to benefit from either/both. As long as I'm not going to negate the increase I could get with a new GPU, I would rather upgrade that now and later on get a new mobo bundle with a more modern socket & chipset than drop another $300 into something that's 2 generations old already.

I think I'm going to get either a 770 or 780, and this SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147253. I'm also looking at sound cards for better positional audio than my onboard provides. I don't want to spend $200 on a sound card, but a reasonably priced upgrade over onboard is in order. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated as well. Here's the one I'm looking at now:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102054
 
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,295
4,145
174,240
Your plan looks right to me.

The Samsung EVO is good. Perhaps you don't need the desktop kit.

If you can, see if you can't manage a GTX780 with a factory overclock.
It will be in the titan class.
I have rarely regretted stretching for the best.
I have more often regretted settling for a good value.
Buy the best your conscience, budget, or sig other will allow.
If you don't, you will always be wondering.

On sound cards, I can't comment. I have a tin ear :( Good gamers say it can make a difference, so do your research.

In the cpu, a i5-3570K will perform just as well as a 4670K. It will OC enough higher to overcome the 5% IPC deficit.
I see no replacement on the near 1-2 year horizon.
 
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