Can I get away with just a GPU upgrade?

Kau the Lion · Apr 23, 2015

So, here's my current system:http://pcpartpicker.com/p/XjmhJx
It runs games decently although GTAV has recently given it some trouble. It was built on a budget no doubt utilizing some parts I already had.

I was thinking of upgrading to this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zdLXGX
I have more of a budget to work with now but am not looking to waste money. If I go with the new rig I know someone who will buy my current one for $500.

Is that overkill for gaming? Should I tweak that build or should I not go for the new build at all and just upgrade my graphics card?

DonkeyOatie · Apr 23, 2015

Overkill, yes. Overclocked i7 will get you very little. 16Gb largely not needed. Liquid cooling not needed unless extreme overclocking, and you should probably not do that. I'd use a different case.

The original system needs a new PSU as well as a GPU upgrade.

I'd do a new build so you can get a better motherboard.

Entomber · Apr 23, 2015

Kau the Lion :

Your current build isn't awful for gaming, just the GPU is a little weak if you wanted to play modern titles. Your CPU/mobo is just fine for a GTX 970, to be honest, and you could just buy a GTX 970 and swap it for your GTX 750Ti, and also buy a 500W+ PSU to pair with that GTX 970, since your CX430 won't be enough to run it.

Here's a really good PSU option for you:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

Traciatim · Apr 23, 2015

I agree with the others that the i5 is enough, espeically if you wanted to switch up to a 4690k. Take a look at theis CPU benchmark in GTA V: http://www.techspot.com/review/991-gta-5-pc-benchmarks/page6.html . . . notice how the 4690k and 4770k are within a couple of percent of each other? Save the money and get better video instead... as much as you can afford.

Kau the Lion · Apr 24, 2015

Thanks for the feedback. I tweaked my next build a bit. How's this look. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZYmZK8.

I like having the option to throw 8 more gigs of RAM in down the road or another card for 2-way SLi that I don't have with my current system.

DonkeyOatie · Apr 24, 2015

ASUS makes great boards. At that price there are other boards with better features and/or power phases such as the ASRock Z97 Extreme 4, the Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 5, and the ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer.

If you overclock, you need something more than the stock CPU cooler. You can get a decent air cooler for under about $50, including the go-to Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.

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Can I get away with just a GPU upgrade?

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