What to upgrade first?

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powercroat783

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Aug 18, 2011
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Hello all. I am planning on upgrading my computer over the course of the summer.

Currently, I have:

i7-2600k
8gb DDR3-1600
GTX970
Mobo with only PciE 2.0

I have also have a 650 Watt PSU and a 500GB SSD.

I am going to upgrade to:

i5-6600k, an appropriate motherboard, with PciE 3.0 and with 16 GB of DDR4.

Also, I am going to purchase a gtx1080.

However I am going to do this piecemeal. I am going to purchase the graphics card and a combination of the mobo, cpu and ram on a different date.

My question is this however:

Should I purchase the new graphics card first, and put that in my computer, and later transfer it to the new build.

Or.

Create the new build with the mobo, cpu, and ram first and temporarily transfer the 970 to it. Then later purchase the 1080 and install that.

Thanks.
 
Solution
geofelt
You already have a very good build.
In what way is your current pc not doing the job?
Are you anticipating a change to 1440P or 4k gaming?
What types of games do you play.
Here is my stock approach to your question:

------------------------------------------------------------
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...
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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You already have a very good build.
In what way is your current pc not doing the job?
Are you anticipating a change to 1440P or 4k gaming?
What types of games do you play.
Here is my stock approach to your question:

------------------------------------------------------------
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. You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

If you play fast action shooters, I think the GTX1080 would be the better first upgrade.
If you play strategy games, sims, and mmo types, they tend to be cpu limited and the faster single thread of a (overclocked) i5-6600K is likely to be better.
FWIW
As of 2/16/16
What percent can get an overclock at a somewhat sane 1.40v Vcore.
I5-6600K
4.9 11%
4.8 38%
4.7 70%
4.6 83%
 
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Solution
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powercroat783

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Aug 18, 2011
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I appreciate all of the input so far, thank you everyone.

I guess I should mention that I do play many games across the spectrum (I'm currently playing FO4, CS GO, TW:Atilla, and am about to start TW:Warhammer). Which leads me to wonder if my CPU may be causing THAT MUCH of a bottleneck. But I don't believe so. I was just hoping to get some opinions.
 
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esco_sid

esco_sid

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May 11, 2012
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Your CPU should not bottleneck it is at most about 30% slower in some extremes than a 6700k and in most scenarios would be like 15% slower and you can make it up easily if you OC it.

Also gtx 970 is more than capable playing 1080p60 at ultra so not sure if you need anything new lol....

If things run low framerates it is most likely a software issue you are having and not a hardware one.
 
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powercroat783

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Aug 18, 2011
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I don't really have problems necessarily, the vast majority of the time it's at 60.

FO4 I can get drops to around 30 in certain areas.

In Atilla it will drop to 10 if I have unit size set to ultra along with the graphics after I zoom in all the way. So I get frustrated because I can't watch a huge 1000 on 1000 melee.

Basically I'm being picky.

But I believe the general consensus would be that the graphics card sooner would be the better initial boost, so I think I'm going to go with that.

I would also be skeptical about it being a software issue. I do IT, so I know how to keep things running smooth. Drivers are up to date as well.

Anyways, I appreciate the input everyone.
 
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esco_sid

esco_sid

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May 11, 2012
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No Problem good luck I am also a systems engineer :p
 
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