can my i5 handle the new gens of gpus?

Dropwood

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Jul 6, 2016
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Hello there,

i am going to upgrade my pc..thinging to keep my old intel i5 2320, but i dont know if it could handle a gpu as gtx 1060 or amd's rx 480...
 
Solution
I3-2320 is a surprisingly good gamer.

here is one way to tell what a gpu upgrade might do:

) 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, 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.
 
Get the GTX1060 (once available at roughly $250USD... such as non-founders, EVGA, Asus or similar dual-fan solution)

AMD's DX11 drivers still eat up more CPU cycles than NVidia's thus will add to any existing bottleneck more so than NVidia will.

CPU bottleneck will depend on the game, but will be significant at times.

*However, I could not find your CPU listed. Can you confirm the model?
 


Okay that changes things.

It's about 20% faster than the FX-4300, or 87% the performance of the i5-4460 if you want to estimate CPU bottleneck.

Basically it will be MINOR for many games, but will be over 20% loss at times for some games.

*So I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'd still get the GTX1060 (possibly GTX1070 depending on budget) then simply tweak games as appropriately.

There may be some better use of the $200USD difference such as a better monitor, speakers or whatever so you'd have to decide but the the GTX1070 will give noticeably better performance in some titles.
 
Solution