What do I need to upgrade to make my PC run better?

SirJosh

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Jan 11, 2014
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Hey

I would like to know what parts I should I save up to for my PC to make it run faster when it comes to editing and gaming. Here are my current specifications:

Intel Core i7 860 2.8GHz
Gigabyte Technology Co H57M-USB3
8GB DDR3 Ram
GTX 660 Twin Frozr
2.5 TB HDD
DirectX 11
Windows 7 64-bit
(If there is any other info you want to know, tell me)

Right now, my main goal is to save up for a new CPU as my current one is quite dated. I am hoping for an i7 4790K or maybe something cheaper that still runs well when I'm gaming or editing. But to do this, I would need to get a new mobo right? As the one I own right now (LGA 1156) would not be compatible with the cpu I am wanting to get.

So if you guys could help me out on which motherboard I should get that best fits my description that would be great. If you guys have any other ideas on what to upgrade on my computer, please tell me :)

Thanks
 
Solution
I presume you want a cooler that can move to your new CPU when you get there at a later date. Here's the parts I'd suggest for your build, if anyone disagrees then feel free to reply:

CPU/COOLING:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($55.20 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $383.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-21 03:26 EDT-0400


Graphics cards options...

SirJosh

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Jan 11, 2014
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If were to get an SSD, would I have to replace my current HDD? Or can they run together?



 

McDuncun

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Hahahahahaha dude no!!! That cpu is very very outdated! He should upgrade his CPU and Mobo first. Get a Z97 board with a 4690K and then you will be solid with every single game that exists and will for a long time and some editing. Otherwise you can go for a i7 4790 non K and a H97 board if you really need the HT but it`s pointless unless you do very hardcore video and graphics rendering and editing...

Later on you can upgrade your GPU as this CPU is really the first thing to upgrade.
 

SirJosh

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Jan 11, 2014
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Sweet thanks! I will look into these parts :D
 

-HH-

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The current CPU yes it's old but it's still okay for gaming and will have performance around 15% less than the 4690K.

If you wanted to really go all out why not go for a full new rig, 4690K on a z97 Krait mobo rocking some other pretty good specs.
 


Two things, one, gpuboss is biased towards intel/nvidia components and while they are both intel, the results/comparison will be incorrect. Also, you compared it to a 4670, not a 4690k
 

krapton

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Jan 7, 2014
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Even then, i dont think 4 fps less is going to hurt, isnt it? Unless he's doing some heavy video editing, there is no need for a new cpu.
 


What source says that it ill only get 4 more fps? OP stated that he will be doing editing
 

-HH-

Dignified
imo there's 2 ways we can do this.

We can go for purely gaming performance with a GPU or general system performance with a CPU and mobo, though the i7 does have hyperthreading unlike the i5. I do think there's about a 15-20% performance difference between the CPU's and think that a I'd focus a gpu first unless you're happy with it.
 

krapton

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Jan 7, 2014
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Unless hes working in very big Premiere or After Effects files. And even then, if he buys something like a GTX 970 he can use CUDA to do the rendering. From my experience CUDA is faster on my GTX 770 with CUDA than my 4770K @ 4.1 GHz, and even if the i7 that he owns right now is the equivalent to a modern day i3, its really not going to hurt gaming performance really hard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIT9uLDjZcg)
 

-HH-

Dignified


S N A P S O N
 


The 4690k isn't considered an 'expensive' cpu really, more like mid end, the one he currently has is low really and the 660 will pass the recommended specs for games, but with more games becomming and and more cpu intensive, like gta v and witcher 3, he should get the cpu and wait for the r300 series to be released by amd so taht he can eitehr get cheaper nvidia gpus or get better value for money on the new r300 series, he's going to lose money if he buys a gpu now considering new ones are due to be out soon
 

-HH-

Dignified


OP also stated he had to save money to get near a 4790K so do you think he's going to be able to walk into a $400 card either?

I'd personally run the graphics route but it's all personal on what we do most. Upgrading to maxwell architecture would be a great idea though especially as all cards bar the 750Ti(I believe) have better CUDA than a CPU.
 


which $400 card are you talking about in particular?
 

-HH-

Dignified
None in particular I don't think there's any at the $400 mark exactly but I was using hyperbole to get my point across... Either way he's going to be saving. I'd personally save until mid/end of Q2 and grab a card then.
 

krapton

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Jan 7, 2014
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And what about a new mobo? Also that i7 is/was NOT a low range cpu lel, its a quad core (even hyperthreaded) and its not about raw computational power in games its about handling a constant large stream of data from the GPU, so best option is that he waits for R300 series, but i think a card with cuda is better for him
 


a new mobo is roughly £80-120 depending on what he can afford, with some even cheaper from the z87 boards, I'd buy a new cpu now and wait for the r300 series really which is what I said before
 

SirJosh

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Jan 11, 2014
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Hmmm.... this has been very hard decision making.

Editing is important to me but I value gaming much more so.. lets say if I were to upgrade the GPU in my current system to a 970, how would I run on a game like for example Arma 3 which heavily relies on the CPU.

I appreciate a lot of these answers guys.
 

I doubt you'd ever go below 30fps on arma 3, even with that cpu at stock speed. 30-60fps depending on where you are
 

-HH-

Dignified


I'd see 45+ dependent on Climate. Remember your CPU can't be cooler than the climate around it. General room temperature in the UK is 21c so no CPU can be cooled below that unless the Liquid/cooling solution is a colder temperature.

Your CPU is pretty good really... It's like a haswell i3 with hyperthreading!
 

SirJosh

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Jan 11, 2014
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Here is one last question. I'm not sure whether I should start a new thread but oh well.

Can you guys recommend me any good aftermarket CPU coolers that fits my system? I have $100 to spend as of right now and I would like to use it on a new cpu cooler as the one I have now (Intel stock fan) is really, really loud when I'm gaming/editing or even just idling on the desktop.