Keep 2500k and upgrade GPU or upgrade CPU/mobo?

veereihen6

Distinguished
Sep 12, 2011
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18,510
Been thinking about upgrading some components to get ready for some of the newer games.

This is my current setup:

cpu: i5 2500k (OC'd to 4.2GHz)
cooler: Corsair H80i
mobo: ASROCK Z68 Pro3
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600
GPU: EVGA GTX 770 FTW 4GB
PSU:ANTEC EA-650 (650W)
Storage: Samsung 840 120GB for OS & 2 1TB HDD's for mass storage
Monitor 1: ASUS VG248QE running ToastyX
Monitor 2: Samsung 22"

Would like to upgrade the GPU to either a 1070 or 1080, but I'm a bit worried that my motherboard will hold it back since the PCI slot is only 2.0.

I will be upgrading the Samsung to a 1440 screen next year, but don't forsee the need for 4k.

Mostly play FPS games like BF4, which runs great at nearly max settings and a solid 110-120fps, but have trouble with games like The Division.

I'd like to be able to play current and upcoming games (BF1) at high-ultra settings and still get at least 60fps.

I'm thinking that the 1070 and 1080 won't even break a sweat running at 1080P, but might start to slow down at 1440. I don't do any video editing, etc.

Budget is about $700-900.

Should I:

1. Upgrade to a 1080 this year and keep the cpu/mobo for 1-2 years and then go Kaby Lake?
or
2. Upgrade to Skylake cpu/mobo combo, and budget GPU?

Thanks!

 
Solution
For newer games and higher resolution/detail, you will benefit far more from a 1070/1080 than Skylake/Kaby. The 2500k at 4.2GHz is still pretty competitive with the best CPUs currently available, so you won't gain much there.

PCIe 2.0x16 might sound old but it is still adequate to run a single GPU, so no real worries there.

InvalidError

Titan
Moderator
For newer games and higher resolution/detail, you will benefit far more from a 1070/1080 than Skylake/Kaby. The 2500k at 4.2GHz is still pretty competitive with the best CPUs currently available, so you won't gain much there.

PCIe 2.0x16 might sound old but it is still adequate to run a single GPU, so no real worries there.
 
Solution

cTigon

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Aug 9, 2015
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You shouldn't be held back by your mobo. Versions of PCI-e usually have to do with communication/recognition purposes solely.

Your CPU and mobo setup is still holding up to nowaday standards. It shouldn't hold back your 1080 (by much) when doing hardcore rendering tasks such as gaming. 1440p should be suitable for the 1070, and a big yes for the 1080.

I say you upgrade to the 1080, and keep the cpu/mobo combo for about 2 years (which is as long as it will last).
 

notlim981

Distinguished
I'd go with option 1 as pascal was just released and should last awhile. Your processor is a classic and should still be good for awhile as well, and even your motherboard being PCIe 2.0, you won't notice the difference with a high end card like the 1080.
 
GTX1070 or 1080 is great.

1440p isn't much of an issue for these cards. For more demanding titles you can simply tweak a few settings such as anti-aliasing to maintain a solid 60FPS.

Look at the games listed HERE, and remember if it says "40FPS" chances are you can get a near solid 60FPS with nearly the same visual experience by tweaking:
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_1080/15.html

(look up a different GTX1070 graph or just multiply the above values by 0.8x such as 80FPS instead of 100FPS)