What to upgrade/advice?

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LMAC89

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Nov 26, 2012
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In short, I played the Battlefield 1 trial and my system struggled with FPS. So now I'm at a slight dilemma with regards to what direction to upgrade in.. (I'd like to consistently play at a minimum of 60 FPS @ 1080p; ideally 80-90 FPS +). I managed this at times but my system really struggled on the 64 player servers. Whilst having the video settings at LOW.

My specs are:

OS: Windows 7 (64 bit)
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K
MOBO: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 (1155 socket)
GPU: GTX 670 (2GB)
8GB RAM Vengeance LP
PSU: Corsair CXM750

I decided if I was to overclock my CPU that would help - however when I started the temperatures were too high at full load as I was using the stock intel cooler. Which raised a few questions in my mind.. Do I..

1) Overclock CPU after fitting either the Noctua NH-D14 or Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler?

2) Upgrade GPU to perhaps a GTX 1060?

or

3) Both.

I've a hunch feel that OC'ing my CPU and fitting an after market cooler would be a sensible option, however this will mean buying a new PC Case which I could do with doing (dropped and dented a few years ago). I had the Corsair Obsidian Series 450D in mind if I were to do so as I believe it would the coolers I've considered.

I'd like to get another 4-5 years out of my system for PC gaming.

On a side note: Not having Windows 10 as an OS wouldn't make a massive difference, right?

Opinions or suggestions or alternative options would be hugely appreciated! Thanks for reading!
 
Solution
geofelt
The $30 cryorig H7 is only 145mm tall and is an excellent cooler.
That is all you should need for a decent overclock.
Nobody benchmarks multiplayer, it is so hard to set up reliably.
One characteristic is that multiplayer with many participants responds to many threads and cpu power.
A overclock would be a good starting point.
Possibly, you could swap out your I5-3570K for a I7-3770K and overclock it. That would cost you about $240 used on ebay.
You really should check to verify that cpu is your main issue.
Here are my stock thoughts on some tests you can make.
Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend to like...
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chegalhavara

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May 7, 2016
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If you get a 1060 you will be able to play 80/90fps at 1080p. But not at maximum settings, although with very good quality.
I think that a new GPU is your best option to improve Battlefield 1 playability.
Still, if you want to OC your CPU you will definitely need a new cooler. The 212Evo will already allow you a very decent OC and perhaps you don´t have to buy a new case.
 
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maxalge

maxalge

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May 31, 2012
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get a cryorig h7
overclock the cpu


if you want 4 - 5 years then drop in a gtx 1070
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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The $30 cryorig H7 is only 145mm tall and is an excellent cooler.
That is all you should need for a decent overclock.
Nobody benchmarks multiplayer, it is so hard to set up reliably.
One characteristic is that multiplayer with many participants responds to many threads and cpu power.
A overclock would be a good starting point.
Possibly, you could swap out your I5-3570K for a I7-3770K and overclock it. That would cost you about $240 used on ebay.
You really should check to verify that cpu is your main issue.
Here are my stock thoughts on some tests you can make.
Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------
You could be either cpu limited or graphics limited.

Do you have a budget for an upgrade?
 
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