Help! Upgrading Graphics Card and Processor - $600 Budget

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NathanWilker

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Feb 19, 2013
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I am looking to upgrade my graphics card and processor. You can see my current build below. Whats my best option if I'm looking to spend $600 at most? Thanks in advance!

OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel i5 3570k
GPU: EVGA GTX 660
MOBO: ASROCK z77 Extreme4
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x4gb 1600mhz
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200 1TB
SSD: Crucial M4 256gb
PSU: Corsair 650TXV2
Case Fans: 2x 120mm and 3x 80mm
 
Solution
nikoli707
though im at 1440p my 2500k@4.5ghz and 980ti are blazing through games and i bench the same numbers in unigine/3dmark as the reviewers put up. if purely gaming performance is all the matters then obviously the big gpu is the answer. but unless you need more non gaming raw cpu horsepower then i dont see much point in a whole cpu/mobo overhaul. i would go to a 3770k first before all that. 1080p is overkill but maybe save some money and get an r9-390 instead of going full budget.
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Samazing

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Feb 25, 2016
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$600 is more than enough if smartly managed....
Get a msi gtx 970 and i5 6500. It tops even i7 4770 in some areas.
That should secure you for next 5 years.... :)
 
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PC4Lyfe

PC4Lyfe

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Feb 22, 2016
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The i7 has 2x the threads, higher clock speed, and higher turbo speeds.
 
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Samazing

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Well.... I agree that it performs better than i5 6500 but only marginally. Certainly low tdp helps in long run and it performs better than i7 4770 in open cl..... Furthermore it has better price/performance ratio. So i wouldn't spend so much when i can get similar performance at much lower price.

 
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NathanWilker

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None of the processors that were listed are even compatible with my motherboard. Therefore I would have to upgrade that as well. A GTX 970 and a intel i5 6500 would run me about $500. Is $100 enough for a good new motherboard as well?! If so what are some good options?
 
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NathanWilker

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None of the processors that were listed are even compatible with my motherboard. Therefore I would have to upgrade that as well. A GTX 970 and a intel i5 6500 would run me about $500. Is $100 enough for a good new motherboard as well?! If so what are some good options?

 
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Samazing

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Feb 25, 2016
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Oh boy..... Missed that part sorry..... Well thats a bit of a problem.... Well you could get a good motherboard at around 114-126$ but than your ram wont be compatible with it..... Lga 1155 type of mobo ( your asrock is lga1155) are bit old and not easy to find...... I suugest you take a look at msi z170A pro or asus z170 pro. Furthermore..... Cut back a bit on either msi gtx 970 (get a 960) or on cpu.... (Like a lower skylake cpu) and than buy a ddr4 ram..... :)
 
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NathanWilker

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Awesome, so how does something like this look? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7XnhRB
Switched to the GTX 660 instead but it still has 4GB of memory. Then picked up 16GB of some new DDR4 RAM! Opinion on the motherboard?
 
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siviprime

siviprime

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I agree with Suzuki. There is no point in upgrading that i5. If you've purchased the 6500 for the sake of getting Skylake, then fine, but you'll probably get the same performance by slightly overclocking the 3570K.

Just trying to help you save money; with the money you could've saved, you could've purchased more RAM, bought a nice GPU and even a new SSD!
 
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NathanWilker

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Okay... So then my question is. What in the heck is the best way for me to use my $600! Lol
 
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siviprime

siviprime

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Deep breath... OK then :D
Upgrading your GPU is a good starting point. The GTX 970 gives the best price/performance for any GPU right now.

GPU

Upgrade your RAM (what I mean is get more of your same RAM, it's more than adequate)

RAM

A new SSD should bring your PC back to life; a nice 500GB 850 EVO should do the job just fine

SSD

This will set you back around $500, do what you want with the other $100, a dozen cases maybe :lol:
 
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NathanWilker

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Okay now we are getting somewhere! :) However this leaves me with two more questions. Number one, am I better of buy two sticks of 8gb? Or is the extra $30 not worth the performance difference between two sticks of 8gb and four sticks of 4gb? Second, how is the process of transferring my saved games on my current SSD to the new SSD going to go? I feel like it could take some time to transfer the files :(:??:

 
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siviprime

siviprime

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1. You already have 2x4GB sticks of the same RAM. You'll get the same performance as it will still remain a 'dual-channel' configuration. So basically, if you use up all the slots of your motherboard (which in that case you will be), then you will get the same performance.

2. The easier option would be to clone your current M4 SSD onto the new SSD. Before doing anything, back up your documents, photos, videos etc. It would be best to move these onto the Seagate hard drive

I'm guessing the OS is installed on the SSD. Use EaseUS Todo Backup Free (worked for me with no hassle).

Instructions:
Open up EaseUS Todo backup and choose "Clone" from the left-hand sidebar. Click "Disk Clone." Choose your curent hard drive as the source disk, and choose your SSD as the target disk. Check the "Optimize for SSD" box. It will start cloning your drive. Check the "Shut down your computer when the operation is completed" box.

Importantly, when your PC shuts down, immediately press F11 for the boot menu, then choose the 850 EVO 500GB. The PC will boot up as normal. Your Steam games will be on the new SSD too.

Your new SSD will be assigned as the 'C' drive, and you can format/do whatever you want to with your old SSD. Put the documents, photos and videos back onto your SSD and you're sorted! And sorry for the long answer:D
 
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siviprime

siviprime

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Yes, good advice. The sticks being exactly the same, I was guessing that the CL and possibly timings would be the same. However, to make sure,could the OP verify the RAM is the same model? Found on the back of the stick, the model number is:

CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

Also, if I may ask, what cooler do you use for your i5? You may need or possibly already have a decent cooling solution to overclock (unless your CPU is already overclocked).
 
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NathanWilker

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Yes I have found the same exact RAM, and yes my i5 is already overclocked to 4.3 with an EVO 212

 
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siviprime

siviprime

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Then you should be good to go. The overclock should be helpful.

@nikoli707 - Obviously the 980Ti would be pretty overkill for the OP and unless they would be gaming at 4K, there is no reason for spilling $600 for a GPU.

Also, there are several reasons for why I didn't recommend an R9 390; these include the usual heat, efficiency, power usage jazz, but also the drivers seem to be a pain in the backside.

My HTPC runs an R9 380 and being the usual me, I update all my drivers to keep my PC in optimum condition. From Catalyst 15.7.1 onwards, my GPU seems to be running into annoying issues like fans spinning up for unknown reasons, monitor turning on and off randomly etc. In fact, I exchanged my MSI R9 380 for a Sapphire NITRO 380 thinking my GPU was faulty. I had the same issues as before. I resorted to the fact that the drivers were causing these problems (which in fact Crimson hasn't solved either).

My GTX 980, on the other hand, is working flawlessly without a single hiccup or issue.
 
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Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($379.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($299.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $816.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-05 17:05 EST-0500

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($599.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $599.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-05 17:06 EST-0500


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Because the i5 3570k does not hold back the GX 980 Ti, this is an option worth considering.
 
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