Should i upgrade my cpu or graphics card?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

TenthJungleKing

Reputable
Aug 26, 2015
38
0
4,530
I've been thinking about upgrading my gaming PC and i don't know what to upgrade first. I want to upgrade my Intel Pentium g3258 (overclocked to 4.3ghz) to a Intel i5 6600k. i also want to upgrade my msi r7 360 to a gtx 1060. Which should i upgrade first? I also have 16 gb in ram.
 
Solution
geofelt
A perennial question.
It depends on the types of games you play.
Some are cpu limited, some are graphics limited.

The easy upgrade is graphics.
Going to a i5-6600K implies a motherboard change and that has more issues.

Here is my stock approach.

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...
Sort by date Sort by votes
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,346
4,169
174,240
A perennial question.
It depends on the types of games you play.
Some are cpu limited, some are graphics limited.

The easy upgrade is graphics.
Going to a i5-6600K implies a motherboard change and that has more issues.

Here is my stock approach.

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.

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.
-------------------------------------------------------------
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
jeffredo

jeffredo

Distinguished
Nov 15, 2008
1,943
0
20,460
That's a tough call. I've had a Pentium G3258 (OC'd to 4.5 Ghz) and while it did fine in some games, others it slowed down and stuttered quite badly in. I've also owned an R7 360. Its a pretty weak entry level card. I would probably upgrade the GPU first - in many games the G3258 will see a lot greater performance with a card like say, an RX 480 or GTX 1060 than an i5 6600K will see with an R7 360.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom