Changing GPU, will I need to upgrade my I5 3570

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Mephistobr

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Feb 3, 2016
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So I'm thinking on buying a GTX 980. I'm currently with a HD 7950 paired with a I5 3570.

I think that a GTX 980 will be enough to play the next games in 1080p ultra until the end of 2018 ( with maybe a few exceptions?) when then I'll be able to afford a complete new rig for 4k gaming or whatever is the trend then.

But I don't know if this CPU will bottleneck my gaming performance until then. If the answer is yes, I'll have to hold out the GPU upgrade at least until next year, what I don't really want to do...

Thoughts?

 
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SkyMembrane


You might be stretching a bit far with your expectations of 1080p/Ultra until the end of 2018 for a card that came out in 2014, at least if you want to see 60fps. At this very moment, I'd say your CPU...
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SkyMembrane

SkyMembrane

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Dec 23, 2015
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You might be stretching a bit far with your expectations of 1080p/Ultra until the end of 2018 for a card that came out in 2014, at least if you want to see 60fps. At this very moment, I'd say your CPU shouldn't be much of a bottleneck in most games, maybe a difference of 3-5 fps compared to a new one, but not much more than that. and only on specific areas of certain games.

That being said, I would suggest that you start saving money for a new CPU and Motherboard, as it will probably become a bottleneck at some point. If you upgraded your GPU now and then upgraded your CPU in 8 to 10 months, you probably wouldn't be hitting a bottleneck during that time, or a very small one, in specific games.

Random personal opinion : In about 90% of the games that came out recently, a GTX980 only performs about 10% better than a GTX970, but costs nearly 50% more. Adding to the fact that you plan on upgrading to a much stronger build soon, I think you'd be better spending less for a GTX 970 and keep the extra money for that CPU/Mobo upgrade.
 
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mason marnell@1457018692

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Feb 10, 2015
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It partially depends on what you play. AAA titles don't use that much CPU but require a good GPU, and games like CS:GO, Minecraft, and most early access games use way more CPU. For general gaming I would definitely get the 980, and in a couple years if you want get a new CPU.
 
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Mephistobr

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I think that a GTX980 is enough for 60fps ultra 1080p gaming because, as mason pointed out, I only play AAA games wich, in most cases, are console ports, and I don't see any console doing much better than Witcher 3 in the next couple years...

And thanks for the information about the GTX 970, I really didn't know that the performance were that close to be honest, I'll really take that in consideration.

So summing up, I will buy a new GPU (either the 970 or 980) and, for precaution, will start saving for a future proof MB and CPU upgrade next year, in case I need.
 
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SkyMembrane

SkyMembrane

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This sounds like a very good plan for the future!

I wish you a happy (and problem-free) building!

-Sky
 
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