BLMD__ :
So I want to upgrade my system for a better gaming experience as I would like to be able to play more intensive games such as GTA V or the new tomb raider. It was originally built for free by my old workplace who deal with recycling hardware and currently has an i3-3240 @ 3.4 ghz, 8gb of plain ddr3 a gtx 460 and an antec (not 80+ cerified) 430w (could be 500) psu.
My main priority is that graphics card. I was thinking a 750 ti or a 950. My next concern is the processor, I feel I should upgrade this to but am still not really sure whether it would be worth switching the board out too and getting an fx 8350 or keeping the board and getting an i5-3570K. Obviously I should think about a new power supply also and then I might just get 8gb more memory just for fun.
Any suggestions on what to upgrade would be great, I don't really have a budget for any parts but I like bang for buck and don't want to have to spend a ridiculous amount of money.
Hello. Yes, upgrading your GPU should be your main concern for the moment, your RAM seems to be just fine as well as the CPU. A Nvidia GTX750 TI would already be able to run GTA V along with a Intel i5. If you want to kick it off for good, go with the 950 or 960 Nvidia GPUs. I wouldn't recommend AMD. Although they have good CPUs and GPUs, they are not as power efficient as Intel and Nvidia, they generate a lot of heat and in my opinion, the drivers (updates) are not as good. I like to rely more on Intel and Nvidia but that's a personal choice. Also I don't know your budget so I can only guess...
If you don't have a lot of money to spend on, I'd just change the GPU, the CPU is not perfect because although it has got 4 threads it only uses 2 cores, hyperthreading is cool but let's not abuse it. I find Intel i5 CPUs better because they have the 4 physical cores and the turbo boost system which is better for gaming in my opinion, so I'll set it for you like this:
1st concern: GPU --> I recommend this :
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https://www.msi.com/product/graphics-card/N750Ti-TF-2GD5OC.html#hero-overview
For a second choice, if you want something more powerful and you can afford it, go for this:
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https://www.msi.com/product/graphics-card/GTX-960-GAMING-4G.html#hero-overview
2nd concern: CPU --> I recommend this :
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http://ark.intel.com/products/80817/Intel-Core-i5-4460-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_40-GHz
If you can push the price a little bit, pair this with a nice cooling system and a motherboard that allows overclocking :
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http://ark.intel.com/products/80811/Intel-Core-i5-4690K-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz
(I don't know which motherboard you have got at the moment but for the i5-4460 any low-priced H97 chipset motherboard is fine in my opinion, for the i5-4690K I'm afraid you'd have to go with a little more expensive motherboard, the Z97 chipset).
I can recommend some here:
H97:
https://www.msi.com/product/motherboard/H97M-E35.html#hero-overview
Z97: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97%20Anniversary/
When it comes down to ram, I really don't think you need improvement, 8GB is enough for all the gaming you want, even the "heavy games". Good luck!