Upgrade CPU/Motherboard or GPU?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

arktik

Distinguished
Jan 30, 2009
36
0
18,530
Current set up:
Intel Core i5-2500k 3.3GHZ
Asus B75 Motherboard (small mini ATX one that is pretty basic)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 680
16GB of RAM
256GB SSD Corsair M4
2x1TB Raid 0
2x1920x1080 monitors

Which do you think I should upgrade first? The Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 to 970?

Or the Core i5-2500k 3.3GHZ to maybe a Intel Xeon E3 which would mean i wouldnt have to buy a new motherboard. Or the new skylake i5 6500 but would require a new motherboard.

My budget is $300-$400.
I play MMOs, call of duty, plan on the new tom clancy division game, league of legends, diablo 3, etc. and do some photoshop work.

Thanks for any input!
 
Solution
Tradesman1
The 2500K won't run on a Z97. But With a Z97 could get a 4690K and use your other components with it, then up grade the GPU next, down the road. Amd prob sell the 2500K for a decent price as a leadin towards the new GPU ;)
Sort by date Sort by votes
utroz

utroz

Splendid
Nov 9, 2010
2,184
1
21,565
Too bad you have a B75 and not a Z77 chipset as your cpu begs to be overclocked to 4.5-4.6GHZ which would make a cpu upgrade moot. Personally I would get a new GPU first.. The xeon you linked to is not much of an upgrade as it is only 100Mhz faster and enables Hyper Threading few security/ VT options.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

arktik

Distinguished
Jan 30, 2009
36
0
18,530


So I was talking to a friend of mine who has a spare z97 MSI gaming motherboard that I can use or at least buy for cheap. Assuming that one would let me overclock my i5-2500k, that may be my best bet then? Instead of replacing my cpu or gpu
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
utroz

utroz

Splendid
Nov 9, 2010
2,184
1
21,565

If you can get the board fairly cheap it is worth it IMO, it will give you most of the performance of a new system at fraction of the cost. You still might want to get a new GPU at some point as well. This way you will have enough CPU power to run even a 980Ti without spending a ton on a new cpu.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
utroz

utroz

Splendid
Nov 9, 2010
2,184
1
21,565


Thanks I totally spaced out on it.. I must have been thinking it was a Z77 or Z68 board. Sorry for any confusion to the OP. But it would be a nice board for a 4770K or 4790K or other Hasewell CPU.. THE Z97 board will not work with your current 2500K. Sorry..
 
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