Stick with AMD 8350 and upgrade gpu or ditch for intel?

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Edman90

Honorable
Mar 6, 2013
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10,530
I know there are a bunch of threads about this already, but there hasn't been one that helps me in my current situation.
Here are my computer specs
CPU: AMD 8350 (obviously)
RAM: 8gb 1333mhz(don't judge got it for cheap lol)
GPU: EVGA gtx 660
MOBO: AsRock 990fx extreme 3
Hard Drive: 500gb Barracuda (no ssd

so i have a debate between two options.

A.) Ditch AMD and get a i7 4790k plus new mobo
Upgrade from GTX 660 to gtx 970

B.) Stick with AMD
Upgrade from GTX 660 to gtx 970 or something a little more
Get a ssd
left over money.... for a new case probably.

Which one seems like I would get the best upgrade from.

I really only game at 1080p, not interested into moving up anytime soon.

Thank you in advance for helping

 
Solution
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I would go for the 970 + SSD hands down. The 8350 has more than enough power for the 970, and it the combo will make a fantastic gaming machine.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/how-much-stronger-is-a-970-compared-to-a-660.208420/
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utgotye

utgotye

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Jun 8, 2015
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Short term - upgrade GPU. While the 8350 falls be hind i7s and some i5s, it's still a good, if power hungry, chip. The GPU upgrade will help you more.

Long term - upgrade both. Not only is the FX series a deadend for you, so is the AM3 socket. Granted, Intel changes their damn socket ever other generation but most Sandy Bridge CPUs are still very relevant and that's four "generations" ago.
 
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Edman90

Honorable
Mar 6, 2013
25
0
10,530
Thanks guys , it seems like I've made up my mind. Ill probably upgrade my cpu longer down the road, but now my concern is should I go for the 970, or something a little bit more . Btw anybody think that I should wait to buy a 970 if there might be a price drop due to the recent release of the r9 3xx series.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,298
4,146
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Why do you think you need an upgrade?
If your gaming performance needs to get better, here is my stock approach:
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You could also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

If you are running OK, a SSD is one of the best overall performance improvers you can buy today.
 
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