Should I upgrade my CPU or graphic card to get better performance?

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 19, 2014

Hello, I currently have a core 2 duo E7500 2.93Ghz, an AMD Radeon HD 5450 2GB and 8 GB ram. I need an upgrade desperately in order to run FIFA 15.
What I have planned is - CPU: AMD FX 6350
GPU: Sapphire Radeon R7 260X 2GB

Now out of the two, I can buy only one thing. Please tell me which one should I buy to give me considerable boost?
P.S. if i go for the gfx, would a psu of 500W do as recommended with the gfx?

Videographer · Sep 19, 2014

You probably want both!
The graphics card will give the better upgrade for games, but a core2 duo is not up to playing modern games so it will hold the card back. Putting a 5450 onto a 6350 fx will probably mean the game has low fps on low settings

Wolfshadw · Sep 19, 2014

Upgrading the processor would likely also mean upgrading the motherboard and RAM as well. If you only have the budget for a processor (no RAM, no motherboard), then your only option is to upgrade the graphics card.

-Wolf sends

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 19, 2014

Videographer :

Yeah I want both but due to financial reasons can't purchase both at the moment. I will in time. What I really want to know is which one will solve my immediate need of running FIFA 15 ,or latest games that are not TOO intense, better.

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 19, 2014

Wolfshadw :

Umm true, but my ram is 8 gb which is sufficient. With the graphic card I'd have to buy a PSU, and with the processor, a motherboard. It all is costing me about the same and actually the mobo and CPU is cheaper.

Wolfshadw · Sep 19, 2014

Does your current system run DDR2 or DDR3 RAM?

-Wolf sends

Videographer · Sep 19, 2014

Given the option I would get the graphics card, but it will be held back by the rest of the system

rahulthe great · Sep 19, 2014

you should only upgrade your gfx only because if you will change your chip, you will have to change your mobo also
this chip can handle this.

Taha Siddiqui · Sep 19, 2014

Get a amd a10-7850k APU, it has build in r7 series graphics cause it is kaveri and it can run mostly all games on more than 30 FPS

When in the future you will have money and want to upgrade it just toss a amd r7 250x or r9 280 for more great results, hope my answer helped you !

Videographer · Sep 19, 2014

Taha Siddiqui :

This is good advice, assuming your current RAM will work in the board this will give better results than the other suggestions

logainofhades · Sep 19, 2014

What is your current motherboard?

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 22, 2014

Wolfshadw :

it's ddr3

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 22, 2014

Taha Siddiqui :

well, thank you for the advice. i will look into it.

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 22, 2014

logainofhades :

it's ga-g41m-combo

Obnoxious · Sep 22, 2014

Upgrading both your CPU and GPU would be ideal; if you're willing to purchased used items, I'll recommend you an upgrade. Please may I ask what is your budget/how much are you willing to spend? Also are you from the United States?

In my opinion both your processor and graphics card are weak, not to offend of course. Please let me know how much you're willing to spend and your budget, and I will attempt to suggest you the most ideal upgrade.

All the best.

logainofhades · Sep 22, 2014

Apoorv Srivastava :

Go to ebay and grab a Q9650, then get yourself a better GPU. That will be, by far, your least expensive option.

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 23, 2014

Obnoxious :

I know my components are weak, that is why i am upgrading in the first place.

and dont worry, no offence taken. I am from India and my budget would be ideally under 200$

Montblanchill · Sep 23, 2014

To be fair, you're not an incredible distance away from an i3 with that chip. Whilst it does not have the hyperthreading, I do not think this will be an issue with Fifa 15. You would be surprised the fps you can still get with a dual core. Also, traditionally Fifa games are not too difficult for PC hardware to cope with.

If you're genuinely stuck for upgrading both, then if you grab the graphics card first, something like a 750ti, then you'll most likely be able to at least play the game. Likely you'll have to reduce some settings but it will be playable and enjoyable. Once you upgrade the CPU you'll be able to turn everything up and enjoy.

Obnoxious · Sep 23, 2014

Apoorv Srivastava :

Thank you very much for your response.

Upgrading either your CPU or GPU now, you could upgrade again in the future and be up to date with modern "technology". However upgrading only your CPU or GPU will not allow you to play FIFA 15. Personally I would upgrade both your processor and graphics card; I would do this by purchasing used components from eBay, that way you can upgrade your system to adequately play FIFA 15.

Keep all your current components, including your motherboard and just replace the CPU and the graphics card. Your budget, 200 United States Dollars (USD) equals to around 12,210 Indian Rupees (INR). So upgrade your Intel Core 2 Duo to a Core 2 Quad, and replace your GPU to a Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 Ti; I would recommend better components, but they are the best I found within your budget (I didn't find many products on eBay India either).

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHz Processor (Rs. 2,500 @ eBay)
Video Card: Forsa GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card (Rs. 6,999 @ eBay)
Total: Rs. 9,499.00

Both the CPU and GPU are compatible with your existing motherboard, tied in with your 8GB RAM, you should be able to run FIFA 15 more than at a satisfactory frame rate.

All the best.

serge44 · Sep 23, 2014

As a general rule, GPU upgrades will always have a more perceivable effect on gaming. Period. You CPU might bottleneck your GPU up to some point, but most of gaming is GPU-bound. If you're upgrading to be able to enjoy a specific game (FIFA 15), and can only afford ONE upgrade, you should definitely go for the GPU.

Apoorv Srivastava · Sep 24, 2014

Obnoxious :

Well, first of all I want to thank you for such an elaborate suggestion. I really appreciate the effort.
But unfortunately I don't want to go for second hand components. Plus I will buy both eventually, it's just that I need one right now and the other component maybe a year later.
Now, as someone suggested i buy an AMD A10-7850K, I am thinking this would be a good idea, slightly stretching my budget but I think I can manage. And later on, I can buy a good graphic card to give myself a complete boost.
Please let me know if you think it is a good idea.
One thing that a few may have misunderstood is that I'll be buying only component. I have to buy both, i just need to know which one to buy first. I will buy one component in a month or so, and the other, around June next year.

Wolfshadw · Sep 24, 2014

As I've already stated, if you cannot afford both a CPU and motherboard, then your only option would be to purchase the graphics card. The AMD A10-7850K processor would also require a new motherboard as it's not compatible with your current motherboard.

-Wolf sends

P.S. Since you've already stated you're running DDR3 RAM, that is no longer an issue.

-Wolf sends

logainofhades · Sep 24, 2014

Another idea is to go with an 860k, motherboard, and a lesser GPU that is still better than the IGP of the 7850k. Would only be about $4 difference between the two.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.97 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($68.58 @ Amazon)
Total: $218.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-24 13:01 EDT-0400

vs

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($68.58 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 730 1GB Video Card ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $222.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-24 13:01 EDT-0400

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