Graphics Card vs. Processor Upgrade - PC Build Newbie

Maxtro · Jun 22, 2015

I'm brand new to this and struggling through the frustration of knowing very little about gaming PC builds. Here's my issue. About a year ago I decided to build my own gaming PC for the first time using the following videos for part recommendation and a build guide:

(Parts Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n5dolXyyg0&list=PLARQCaAB2kGDmY4DvNX4M-m_qIhPturQ7&index=2

(Build Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyxM_j3Y4U&list=PLARQCaAB2kGDmY4DvNX4M-m_qIhPturQ7&index=1

If it's not contained in these videos, odds are I don't know it.
----------------------------
Here's a list of the parts I'm currently running with links to their descriptions...

AMD Athlon X4 760K CPU: http://bit.ly/19Baf3P

MSI A78M-E35 Motherboard: http://bit.ly/1i5hNjP

Radeon R7 260X: http://bit.ly/1knwNcD

8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport RAM: http://bit.ly/19g9ejF

1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue HDD: http://bit.ly/1bTXUUt

430W Corsair CX430 PSU: http://bit.ly/18UZgyn

Rosewill Line-M Case: http://bit.ly/1erNC5S

OS - Windows 8.1 System Builder: http://bit.ly/18UZEx0

Optical Drive - Lite-On DVD Burner: http://bit.ly/IZzwKM
------------------------------

Now for the issue I'm having. I built this gaming PC just over a year ago and I'm already having issues with certain games on Ultra graphics settings such as Assassin's Creed Unity, The Witcher 3, and Ark: Survival Evolved. If tried doing internet research to find out how to determine which, if any of my components need to be upgraded. From everything I've read and the software I've used to check my components I believe I've narrowed it down to being either my graphics card or my processor. Using Fraps during these games I get frame rates of between 2 and 20 fps. Based on some of the stuff I've read, that points to needing a better graphics card, however, based on some other software I downloaded to monitor CPU and GPU usage, the software shows my CPU usage at around 32% with the graphics ultra and the game lagging like crazy and the GPU usage at 100%. According to the instruction guide with the software is says that this could be a CPU/GPU bottleneck (not sure what that means). All in all I just need to know if it's my graphics card or processor that needs to be upgraded, or if its both. I'd hate to spend $200 on a new graphics card only to see no difference because it was my processor all along and vice versa. Also, other than the number of watts required, and dimension sized, how do I know that a new graphics card will work with my motherboard. What sort of things should I check for when/if selecting a new processor, do watts matter for that?

Apologies if these questions sound dumb but the sum of my knowledge of gaming PC components and their assembly is contained in the two youtube videos listed above. I'd really like to get my gaming PC upgraded to the point where I can run games on ultra graphics settings with great frame rates. Any information/advise would be greatly appreciated.

maxalge · Jun 22, 2015

Maxtro :

I'm brand new to this and struggling through the frustration of knowing very little about gaming PC builds. Here's my issue. About a year ago I decided to build my own gaming PC for the first time using the following videos for part recommendation and a build guide:

(Parts Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n5dolXyyg0&list=PLARQCaAB2kGDmY4DvNX4M-m_qIhPturQ7&index=2

(Build Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyxM_j3Y4U&list=PLARQCaAB2kGDmY4DvNX4M-m_qIhPturQ7&index=1

If it's not contained in these videos, odds are I don't know it.
----------------------------
Here's a list of the parts I'm currently running with links to their descriptions...

AMD Athlon X4 760K CPU: http://bit.ly/19Baf3P

MSI A78M-E35 Motherboard: http://bit.ly/1i5hNjP

Radeon R7 260X: http://bit.ly/1knwNcD

8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport RAM: http://bit.ly/19g9ejF

1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue HDD: http://bit.ly/1bTXUUt

430W Corsair CX430 PSU: http://bit.ly/18UZgyn

Rosewill Line-M Case: http://bit.ly/1erNC5S

OS - Windows 8.1 System Builder: http://bit.ly/18UZEx0

Optical Drive - Lite-On DVD Burner: http://bit.ly/IZzwKM
------------------------------

Now for the issue I'm having. I built this gaming PC just over a year ago and I'm already having issues with certain games on Ultra graphics settings such as Assassin's Creed Unity, The Witcher 3, and Ark: Survival Evolved. If tried doing internet research to find out how to determine which, if any of my components need to be upgraded. From everything I've read and the software I've used to check my components I believe I've narrowed it down to being either my graphics card or my processor. Using Fraps during these games I get frame rates of between 2 and 20 fps. Based on some of the stuff I've read, that points to needing a better graphics card, however, based on some other software I downloaded to monitor CPU and GPU usage, the software shows my CPU usage at around 32% with the graphics ultra and the game lagging like crazy and the GPU usage at 100%. According to the instruction guide with the software is says that this could be a CPU/GPU bottleneck (not sure what that means). All in all I just need to know if it's my graphics card or processor that needs to be upgraded, or if its both. I'd hate to spend $200 on a new graphics card only to see no difference because it was my processor all along and vice versa. Also, other than the number of watts required, and dimension sized, how do I know that a new graphics card will work with my motherboard. What sort of things should I check for when/if selecting a new processor, do watts matter for that?

Apologies if these questions sound dumb but the sum of my knowledge of gaming PC components and their assembly is contained in the two youtube videos listed above. I'd really like to get my gaming PC upgraded to the point where I can run games on ultra graphics settings with great frame rates. Any information/advise would be greatly appreciated.

what resolution do you play at? Because at 1080p you should not even be considering high much less ultra in the vast majority of newer games.

Gam3r01 · Jun 22, 2015

You should look into upgrading both if you want a substantial upgrade.
That is a decent 720p system, but will struggle with anything intensive, or higher resolution.

Maxtro · Jun 23, 2015

Gam3r01 :

Thank you for your response. I'm not against upgrading both, however, I'm not sure the best way to go about making sure everything will work togethers. For example, if I wanted to upgrade to the best available processor and graphics card that my current other components (motherboard, power supply, etc) can handle, what sort of things should I look for? From what I've read about the graphics card it seems to be the size/dimensions, pin connector side, and watts required from powers supply. As for processor compatibility I really have no idea. I've heard some processors are not compatible with some motherboards, this is what worries me. Also, when upgrading my processor, should I focus on the GHz? anything else? How do I know the one I'm purchasing is better than my current one? Thanks again.

Gam3r01 · Jun 23, 2015

Honestly, the easiest way to go about it would be providing specs and a budget, and letting the forum members do the rest.
There is a lot to take into consideration with each component.

Maxtro · Jun 23, 2015

maxalge :

Maxtro :

I'm brand new to this and struggling through the frustration of knowing very little about gaming PC builds. Here's my issue. About a year ago I decided to build my own gaming PC for the first time using the following videos for part recommendation and a build guide:

(Parts Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n5dolXyyg0&list=PLARQCaAB2kGDmY4DvNX4M-m_qIhPturQ7&index=2

(Build Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyxM_j3Y4U&list=PLARQCaAB2kGDmY4DvNX4M-m_qIhPturQ7&index=1

If it's not contained in these videos, odds are I don't know it.
----------------------------
Here's a list of the parts I'm currently running with links to their descriptions...

AMD Athlon X4 760K CPU: http://bit.ly/19Baf3P

MSI A78M-E35 Motherboard: http://bit.ly/1i5hNjP

Radeon R7 260X: http://bit.ly/1knwNcD

8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport RAM: http://bit.ly/19g9ejF

1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue HDD: http://bit.ly/1bTXUUt

430W Corsair CX430 PSU: http://bit.ly/18UZgyn

Rosewill Line-M Case: http://bit.ly/1erNC5S

OS - Windows 8.1 System Builder: http://bit.ly/18UZEx0

Optical Drive - Lite-On DVD Burner: http://bit.ly/IZzwKM
------------------------------

Now for the issue I'm having. I built this gaming PC just over a year ago and I'm already having issues with certain games on Ultra graphics settings such as Assassin's Creed Unity, The Witcher 3, and Ark: Survival Evolved. If tried doing internet research to find out how to determine which, if any of my components need to be upgraded. From everything I've read and the software I've used to check my components I believe I've narrowed it down to being either my graphics card or my processor. Using Fraps during these games I get frame rates of between 2 and 20 fps. Based on some of the stuff I've read, that points to needing a better graphics card, however, based on some other software I downloaded to monitor CPU and GPU usage, the software shows my CPU usage at around 32% with the graphics ultra and the game lagging like crazy and the GPU usage at 100%. According to the instruction guide with the software is says that this could be a CPU/GPU bottleneck (not sure what that means). All in all I just need to know if it's my graphics card or processor that needs to be upgraded, or if its both. I'd hate to spend $200 on a new graphics card only to see no difference because it was my processor all along and vice versa. Also, other than the number of watts required, and dimension sized, how do I know that a new graphics card will work with my motherboard. What sort of things should I check for when/if selecting a new processor, do watts matter for that?

Apologies if these questions sound dumb but the sum of my knowledge of gaming PC components and their assembly is contained in the two youtube videos listed above. I'd really like to get my gaming PC upgraded to the point where I can run games on ultra graphics settings with great frame rates. Any information/advise would be greatly appreciated.

what resolution do you play at? Because at 1080p you should not even be considering high much less ultra in the vast majority of newer games.

I would like to be playing at 1920x1080.

g1abhi · Jun 23, 2015

The easiest way is to use pcpartpicker.com to check incompatibilities . it provides only compatible components one after another.
As far as your CPU / GPU is concerned , both upgrades will give performance boost , but only if u replace it with a 1.5 times higher cost component. No matter what you buy you cannot play in ultra for more than 6 months in a budget build. My advice ,would be play in optimal settings and upgrade later in the end of year when the 6th gen processors are out by intel , since your motherboard socket is a dead end too and current gen motherboards will soon be .

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Graphics Card vs. Processor Upgrade - PC Build Newbie

Maxtro

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maxalge

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Gam3r01

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Maxtro

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Maxtro

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g1abhi

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