Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU first?

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

I currently have a AMD Radeon R7 370 Series and for a CPU I currently have a AMD FX-6300 Six-Core Processor. I'm wondering which one I should upgrade first.

I was thinking about buying a ASRock Q170M vPro Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard and a Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor CPU and a NVIDIA GTX 1070.

Thanks!

hiyabusared · Jun 23, 2016

In my opinion upgrade the cpu and motherboard. Then go for the gpu. Especially since your going for an i7 that's a great performance increase over that amd cpu

AdviserKulikov · Jun 23, 2016

Those are both fairly well balanced, however you will see immediate benefit from upgrading your GPU.

The 6300 is capable of supporting up to a GTX 970 fairly competently, so you will see some bottlenecking on the CPU side. This being said, the 6300 can run modern games at playable frame rates.

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

Would I bottleneck from upgrading my GPU from a R7 370 to a GTX 1070 with my CPU I have right now?

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

AdviserKulikov :

Would I bottleneck from upgrading my GPU from a R7 370 to a GTX 1070 with my CPU I have right now?

hiyabusared · Jun 23, 2016

Yes it will bottleneck, I think even the 8350 would have some bottleneck issues as well.

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

hiyabusared :

How much performance do you think it would bottleneck?

hiyabusared · Jun 23, 2016

Torream :

I can't personally give you as percentage but I know firmly it would depend on which games and such your playing/using. I strongly suggest just upgrading your cpu and mobo. I mean you could go with a 970 over the 1070, but personally the fx-6300 imo is not a strong cpu to game with. Again this is just my opinion. Upgrading to a i7 especially the 6700k you should not have to upgrade your cpu for very long time. Also the 1070/1080 are still new and going through a lot of major issues for now.

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

hiyabusared :

Torream :

I can't personally give you as percentage but I know firmly it would depend on which games and such your playing/using. I strongly suggest just upgrading your cpu and mobo. I mean you could go with a 970 over the 1070, but personally the fx-6300 imo is not a strong cpu to game with. Again this is just my opinion. Upgrading to a i7 especially the 6700k you should not have to upgrade your cpu for very long time. Also the 1070/1080 are still new and going through a lot of major issues for now.

So if I upgraded to a ASRock Q170M vPro Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard with a Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor, It would be better then upgrading to a GTX 1070?

hiyabusared · Jun 23, 2016

Torream :

Well for one thing I have to say is I hope your planning on getting ddr4 ram lol. Also again if it were me I would do the i7 and the mobo. Cause again without a doubt there would be a bottlenecks with the 1070 and your fx-6300. To what degree I can't say. Also words of advice, don't get the Q170M if your buying the i7-6700k cause that processor is a k series which is unlocked and always you to overclock. Using the board you want to buy would honestly be wasting money on the processor. You would need a board that is if you prefer ASRock be a z170 ASRock mobo. Sorry to be rude

ema21del9 · Jun 23, 2016

It really depends, you will notice more difference in games if you first upgrade the GPU because that card you have is really weak, you can later upgrade the mobo and CPU and you will notice a difference only in CPU demanding games, it won't be like a jump from 60 to 120 FPS just like that. No need for a "k" model if you're not planning to overclock.

indiferenc · Jun 23, 2016

Torream :

1. an i7 is overkill for gaming. i5 max
2. gpu first, cpu mobo 2nd. at least you will actually see an improvement in your games this way.
3. the 6300 is in no way a bad cpu, while there is some bottlenecking going on, its fully capable of giving you solid frames. i have one (OCed to 4.7) with a 290x
4. and a 1070? dont you want to wait and see what amd has in store? i feel like early 1070 and 1080 buyers are going to be bitter real soon, imo

ema21del9 · Jun 23, 2016

indiferenc :

Torream :

1. an i7 is overkill for gaming. i5 max
2. gpu first, cpu mobo 2nd. at least you will actually see an improvement in your games this way.
3. the 6300 is in no way a bad cpu, while there is some bottlenecking going on, its fully capable of giving you solid frames. i have one (OCed to 4.7) with a 290x
4. and a 1070? dont you want to wait and see what amd has in store? i feel like early 1070 and 1080 buyers are going to be bitter real soon, imo

I agree in all the points.

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

Can someone recommend me a GPU I should buy? I have a budget of $300.

indiferenc · Jun 23, 2016

Torream :

now is not the time to buy a gpu. while you have great new offerings from nvidia and amd, they have not released their entire line up yet. you might get a RX 490 from AMD thats killer or a GTX1060 that blows AMD away, but we dont know yet. Also, prices for older cards have fallen, but they will continue to fall farther. if you can, wait. personally, if AMD can give you GTX980 performance for $200 (see RX 480) they might be able to kill the market with a RX 490. but nvidia hasnt shown off anything in this tier yet.

ema21del9 · Jun 23, 2016

You should really wait until some real info on the new AMD cards is out and then decide. It's just a few weeks, except you really feel like buying the card NOW then go ahead for the 1070 it will run everything you throw at it for sure.

Torream · Jun 23, 2016

I'd rather wait. Im going to buy the Intel Core i5-6600 and a new motherboard. Thanks for all the answers guys!

ema21del9 · Jun 23, 2016

Torream :

Good choice, remember if you don't plan to overclock the CPU don't waste money in the "k" versions neither in "z" chipsets.

Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU first?

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