how do I know when I need a new CPU and gpu and ram?

Omar Strobe

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I have a gtx 970,i7 4790k and 1600ghz ram, I have 256gh SD and 2,tb as storage, my question what is the easiest way to know when I need a new GPU or CPU? Also ram if necessary? I plan to use this build till the next ps5 and Xbox one come out. I just wanna know how to tell when I need a new CPU or gpu
 
Solution
Use windows built in resource monitor if and when you start to notice performance drops. If the used memory is at 90% or more you need more RAM. If the processor usage is at 75% or higher, it's typically normal if you're running multiple processes, but if it stays there or maxxes out at 100% for an extended time you'll need to consider getting a newer processor. If both are at ideal levels (under 75% for both is ideal) and you're still experiencing issues it could be the GPU, fragmentation or errors on the HDD, low voltage issues, or even coding issues in the program (I reference Gothic 3 here......). With your specs you should be fine for a while.

I do wish to say that having 1600mhz ram doesn't help us. All that tells me is that you...

Omar Strobe

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Yes but how do I know which is bottling necking first? How would I know of its only the CPU or GPU that needs upgrading? Or even both?
 
At this point you have two high end components, the vid card and cpu both - I don't see you getting much improvement with an upgrade given current products (without spending like $600-700 on a gpu for gains that aren't worthwhile). I'd wait to see what comes out because any upgrade in your future is going to be most likely a product that doesn't even exist yet. See what comes of promised hardware and how it really performs. New hardware doesn't always mean it's worthy to upgrade. For instance, given the same specs it would barely be worth upgrading from a second gen i7 to a fourth gen i7. Yes the newer gen i7 would technically be a bit faster, but not enough to make a huge difference and not for the price.

If I had to guess (again we're talking about future games, future potential hardware, nothing which is in hand and tangible right this minute) your gpu would need upgraded before your cpu.
 

Omar Strobe

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I know but how do you exactly know which one would need to be upgraded first in the future? Like is there a fps shortage or something? And how do you know which is the bottleneck the CPU or GPU?
 

Stingerxxx

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Use windows built in resource monitor if and when you start to notice performance drops. If the used memory is at 90% or more you need more RAM. If the processor usage is at 75% or higher, it's typically normal if you're running multiple processes, but if it stays there or maxxes out at 100% for an extended time you'll need to consider getting a newer processor. If both are at ideal levels (under 75% for both is ideal) and you're still experiencing issues it could be the GPU, fragmentation or errors on the HDD, low voltage issues, or even coding issues in the program (I reference Gothic 3 here......). With your specs you should be fine for a while.

I do wish to say that having 1600mhz ram doesn't help us. All that tells me is that you aren't running newer 1833mhz or better, not how much you have. If you're sitting at 8gb or more, you should be fine. If you're sitting at 4gb or left, that's your bottleneck. 12gb+ 1833mhz+ is what I would recommend for your build.
 
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