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Should i upgrade cpu or gpu?

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  • GPUs
  • CPUs
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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October 3, 2014 12:45:09 AM

I am gaming on a 1600x720p monitor and i am interested in playing at a smoother frame rate on high settings. What should i upgrade currently? Should i get an i5 4460\4570 cpu or upgrade my gpu to a used 7950? also i am thinking about upgrading my monitor to 1080p, would my current card still perform well? Those are my only two cheap options where i live..
my rig:
cpu: i3 4150 3.5 ghz
motherboard: h81m d2v
ram: 8 gb g skill 1600
psu: fsp raider 550 watt
gpu:r9 270 OC

More about : upgrade cpu gpu

a c 247 à CPUs
October 3, 2014 12:56:43 AM

From R9 270 to HD7950 is not really a worth while upgrade unless you are getting it for VERY little.

As for what you should upgrade, what games do you play?
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October 3, 2014 1:01:00 AM

Novuake said:
From R9 270 to HD7950 is not really a worth while upgrade unless you are getting it for VERY little.

As for what you should upgrade, what games do you play?


Shadow of mordor,dead rising 3, gta iv and looking forward to upcoming games like gta v, far cry 4.
Mostly open world\ action games.
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a c 247 à CPUs
October 3, 2014 1:05:30 AM

Its a difficult decision. :D 

Personally I would start with the I5 CPU, but that will not give you a tangible performance increase in most games, only in games that are capable of using 2+ cores.

So I guess the smartest option is the HD7950. How much are you paying for it?
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October 3, 2014 1:09:33 AM

Novuake said:
Its a difficult decision. :D 

Personally I would start with the I5 CPU, but that will not give you a tangible performance increase in most games, only in games that are capable of using 2+ cores.

So I guess the smartest option is the HD7950. How much are you paying for it?


About 150$ But it is used. My psu does not allow for a bigger gpu upgrade.
Is the upgrade worth it?
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a c 247 à CPUs
October 3, 2014 1:18:02 AM

Hmmm 150$ is a teensy bit steep for a used card. I would not pay more than 120$, and then it better be a good version of the HD7950. Which model is it exactly?

A new one is 200$ and then its a little newer version with a higher clock rate and better power consumption.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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October 3, 2014 1:39:52 AM

Novuake said:
Hmmm 150$ is a teensy bit steep for a used card. I would not pay more than 120$, and then it better be a good version of the HD7950. Which model is it exactly?

A new one is 200$ and then its a little newer version with a higher clock rate and better power consumption.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


Sapphire 7950 3GB GDDR5 Retail BULK DUAL X

Would i benefit more from upgrading cpu first?
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a c 247 à CPUs
October 3, 2014 1:44:40 AM

Same version of the HD7950 I have, nice card, but not worth 150$ used.

You would definitely benefit more from upgrading the graphics card than the CPU.

How much do you have to spend?
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October 3, 2014 1:55:55 AM

Novuake said:
Same version of the HD7950 I have, nice card, but not worth 150$ used.

You would definitely benefit more from upgrading the graphics card than the CPU.

How much do you have to spend?


around 250$ I hear that upcoming games will utilize more cpu power\ 4 cores and my 270 is overclocked to 1050 mhz so..
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a c 247 à CPUs
October 3, 2014 2:15:41 AM

SoAdeR1997 said:
Novuake said:
Same version of the HD7950 I have, nice card, but not worth 150$ used.

You would definitely benefit more from upgrading the graphics card than the CPU.

How much do you have to spend?


around 250$ I hear that upcoming games will utilize more cpu power\ 4 cores and my 270 is overclocked to 1050 mhz so..


Then get a new 200$ - R9 280.

Games will ALWAYS need more graphics power, SOME games use more cores. Make your next upgrade the I5
EDIT : Actually... 200$ for the kind of improvement the R9 280 will give above the R9 270. I don't think thats worth it completely. An I5 will give some longevity to your build though.
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a b à CPUs
October 3, 2014 2:34:42 AM

Hello,

Go for an i5, all games you listed are very CPU-hungry. You can go later for an GTX970, if the upcoming games will need more graphics memory.

You seem to have an awkward monitor: the resolution should be 1280x720 or 1600x900.
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October 3, 2014 3:42:34 AM

Cristi72 said:
Hello,

Go for an i5, all games you listed are very CPU-hungry. You can go later for an GTX970, if the upcoming games will need more graphics memory.

You seem to have an awkward monitor: the resolution should be 1280x720 or 1600x900.


You are right.. I meant 1600x900
Is mass effect 3 cpu hungry as well?
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October 3, 2014 3:46:55 AM

Novuake said:
SoAdeR1997 said:
Novuake said:
Same version of the HD7950 I have, nice card, but not worth 150$ used.

You would definitely benefit more from upgrading the graphics card than the CPU.

How much do you have to spend?


around 250$ I hear that upcoming games will utilize more cpu power\ 4 cores and my 270 is overclocked to 1050 mhz so..


Then get a new 200$ - R9 280.

Games will ALWAYS need more graphics power, SOME games use more cores. Make your next upgrade the I5
EDIT : Actually... 200$ for the kind of improvement the R9 280 will give above the R9 270. I don't think thats worth it completely. An I5 will give some longevity to your build though.


That is exactly what i was thinking.
So the cpu upgrade will improve game performance in the games i listed right?
Btw is there a big difference between the i5 4460 and the 4570?
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a c 247 à CPUs
October 3, 2014 3:52:12 AM

So the cpu upgrade will improve game performance in the games i listed right? Probably, but do not expect miracles.
i5 4460 and the 4570? Not really, just 200MHz, which is nothing.
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