Upgrade CPU, GPU or both for new 2016 games?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

Mashuguna

Distinguished
Mar 23, 2009
61
3
18,535
I want to play Blade and Soul and Black Desert. Do I need to upgrade my CPU, GPU or both? I am not made of money - what is the most cost effective option for me?

Thanks for any advice.

Current System:

  • Case: Antec NEW SOLUTION SERIES VSK-4000 Black SGCC steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
    CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 Haswell Dual-Core 3.2GHz LGA 1150 53W BX80646G3258 Desktop Processor
    Mobo: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 LGA 1150 Intel H81 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
    RAM: (2) G.SKILL NS Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C11S-4GNS
    GPU: 1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (ATI AIB) 40 °C ((1680x1050@60Hz))
    HD: 465GB Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKS-75A7B0 ATA Device (SATA) 30 °

Thanks again - I am not looking for max graphics settings - but I would like to see some eye candy without replacing my whole LGA 1150 Mobo.
 
Solution
geofelt
You have a reasonably well balanced pc.
The most effective upgrade probably has to wait until you come across a game that does not perform as well as you would like.
In the mean time, here is my stock approach to that issue.

------------------------------------------------------------
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...
Sort by date Sort by votes
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,291
4,145
174,240
You have a reasonably well balanced pc.
The most effective upgrade probably has to wait until you come across a game that does not perform as well as you would like.
In the mean time, here is my stock approach to that issue.

------------------------------------------------------------
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 should 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
Rogue Leader

Rogue Leader

It's a trap!
Moderator
Dec 22, 2014
32,727
2,807
113,640
I would change out that GPU first, that is holding you back the most in terms of game graphics. The CPU overclocked should be ok, but I would see if you like the performance with a new GPU first and then consider the CPU replacement if the performance isn't up to what you want.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Barty1884

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Apr 16, 2015
22,250
1,350
108,740
On both Blade & Soul and Black Desert, your current setup should be able to handle pretty well on High settings. You well exceed the minimum requirements.

That being said, an i5 and a bit of a boost in GPU (depending exactly which "6800 Series" card you have) wouldn't hurt if you want to expand into other games.

Depends on your location & prices there, but in the US, this would likely be your best cost effective upgrade(s):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $318.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-07 10:44 EST-0500
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom