Upgrade CPU vs GPU

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May 29, 2014
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It struck me recently that to play modern games at a decent FPS on 1080p, it doesn't require you to have a ridiculously powerful graphics card (albeit not maxing out all games).

And because currently no or few GPUs run games at 4k at decent FPS, would it be better to invest in a better CPU and buy a good GPU that can run things at 4k in the future, or do what is usually recommended and invest a large chunk in GPU and upgrade your CPU (for budget this is).

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/4RvhmG
Above is a build where I would have a decent GPU, pretty bad CPU but upgrade the CPU in the future.

However, I could invest more and get an I5 that will likely not need replacing too quickly, and get a better GPU in the future, since that is what is limiting games performance nowa days.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/zvjgQ7
Any thoughts on this?
 
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soullStream
Don't worry about 4k gaming at the moment, its still a while away from becoming the standard. It requires both heavy CPU and GPU, Linus tech tips on YouTube recently did their 4k build guide and it had dual 780tis and the new devils canyon i7 from memory with a lot of ram. If you're on a budget I really wouldn't worry about 4k at this point. Get an i5 and save for a 280 or 280x. If you don't want to OC then go for the new i5 4950
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soullStream

soullStream

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Don't worry about 4k gaming at the moment, its still a while away from becoming the standard. It requires both heavy CPU and GPU, Linus tech tips on YouTube recently did their 4k build guide and it had dual 780tis and the new devils canyon i7 from memory with a lot of ram. If you're on a budget I really wouldn't worry about 4k at this point. Get an i5 and save for a 280 or 280x. If you don't want to OC then go for the new i5 4950
 
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Anyone have a response on the broader question? I know that i5 + r9 280 would handle most things nowadays with ease, but I'm thinking more along the lines of, which would be better to upgrade in the future first, GPU or CPU, seeing how most games are currently GPU bound
 
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Onus

Onus

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Of the two builds, I prefer the second one. The R9 270X (rebadged HD7870) can play current games on "High" or better settings at 1080p. Your first build also contains a PSU that is too small for the job, especially since it is made with inferior Samxon capacitors that can't take heat.
 
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Ozmer

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Jun 18, 2014
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The answer somewhat depends on what you are upgrading from. However, a crappy CPU/GPU upgraded to a decent CPU/good GPU will take you further in most games than a good cpu/ decent gpu. That is, of course, unless playing MMOs.
GPU>CPU
 
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Thank you for the responses, soullStream reply sniped me but answered my question, and other replies were also helpful!

Seems like getting an I5 would be best for 1080p/1440p and then upgrading GPU in future. It seems for 4k I'll likely be needing to build a new computer in a few years, and even then 4k won't be a necessity.
 
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Ozmer

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If you are going to do the i5, I would wait a week and grab the new i5 4690k. (NewEgg states release date as 6/25/14) It is basically a 100mhz boosted version of the 4670k, for the same cost. It may take a touch more power, but is built to run cooler. It is also supposedly going to be a better overclocker and may be able to hit 5ghz+ without breaking a sweat.
 
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