Upgrade CPU or just GPU?

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Alciel

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Nov 9, 2013
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Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) CPU, RAM, MOBO, Graphics Card I am using an EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GS for my PSU.

Do you need to buy OS: Maybe? I have Windows 10 on my current MOBO, I am not sure if I will have to buy a new copy of Windows 10. Its Windows 10 OEM.

Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.com For I have a prime membership

Location: Columbia, Tennessee, USA

Parts Preferences: No Preference

Overclocking: Yes / No / Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I'd like to upgrade to a better case than what I have, I currently have a Zalman z11 +, I don't want any lights and I'd like it to be as quiet as possible. I was thinking something from BeQuiet! but I don't know of any other cases that offer a "Silent" experience. If I am suggested to upgrade, Would the new Ryzen CPUs be good? Or stick in an Intel again?

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Well, my question is, Should I even bother to upgrade my CPU? Is it old enough to warrant an upgrade to the newest generation? Will my current CPU bottleneck an Nvidia 1080, or an Nvidia 1080 TI? I have upgraded a few things already, But that was last year. For reference my current CPU is a stock Intel I7 4770k.

The parts I've upgraded so far for my current system are:


  • RAM 8GB to 32GB DDR3
    PSU From an LSP 700 Watt to a Geforce SuperNOVA 650 GS
    A BenQ GL2460H
    A 275GB Crucial SSD


My current computer is as follows:


  • Case: Zalman Z11 Plus
    CPU: Intel 4770k Stock
    MOBO: Msi Gaming Z87-G45
    RAM: 32GB ADATA
    Cooler: Cpu Cooler Hyper 212 Evo
    Graphics Card: Evga Gtx 760 SC Acx 2.0 Stock
    PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 650 Watt GS
    OS: Windows 10 64 Bit Home Edition
    SSD: 275Gb Boot (Crucial)
 
Solution
raisonjohn


You're welcome.

How powerful your GPU is would entirely depend on your monitor resolution, refresh rate, sync technology, games, and in-game detail settings. A GTX 1080 is an...
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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All of your current specs can easily handle a GPU upgrade (from GTX 760 to a GTX 1070, 1080, or 1080Ti if you wish). Yours is still a very powerful and capable CPU, so, you can save a LOT of money by keeping all those parts (CPU, MB, RAM, Cooler, PSU, OS, and SSD). It will not bottleneck those GPUs mentioned.

The main factor to consider on a GPU upgrade is at what resolution/refresh rate you would be playing? Will you replace your current BenQ GL2460H (1080p/60Hz)? If not, then even with a GTX 1060 or RX 480, you can max out games on that monitor.

Getting a GTX 1070 would then be ideal if you will get a 1440p monitor at ~60Hz *or* a 1080p monitor at ~120Hz++. Getting a GTX 1080, you'd be looking at 1440p/~120Hz or a basic 4K gaming. Getting a GTX 1080 Ti will be suitable for 1440p/144Hz or 4K.

All these GPU options can easily be powered by your good-quality PSU.

For the case, yes, you can replace that Zalman Z11+ to a better "quiet" case such as Fractal Design Define S. You can also replace that noisy CPU cooler with the be quiet! Dark Rock 3.

CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)

For storage, you can still use the SSD and just add/expand depending on how much storage capacity you need (another SSD or a larger-capacity HDD). No need to change your OS.
 
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Alciel

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Nov 9, 2013
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Alright, Thank you for your response, I will look into the Fractal Design S.

Just a question do you think that a GTX 1080 would be over kill for 1080p gaming? Or will this be good if I want to max out every slider in the game? While I don't believe in future proofing, I tend to see that future games coming out are more powerful than the last generation games. I just want to keep up with the graphics at 1080p, Which for me is fine. But I also would like to make sure that I can max out the games. Would a 1080 or a 1080TI be better for this instance?



Thank you for your reply. I will look into the 1000 series GPUs, Starting with the 1060. Although I do not think that a 1060 would be enough to deliver for my needs, But I could be wrong.

Just a thought, Should I wait to hear of the new AMD Vega GPUs? Does anyone think they will be comparable to the 1080?
 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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You're welcome.

How powerful your GPU is would entirely depend on your monitor resolution, refresh rate, sync technology, games, and in-game detail settings. A GTX 1080 is an overkill in the majority of games that can easily be handled by a GTX 1060 or an RX 480 in 1080p-resolution/60Hz or ~60fps. Some selected GPU-intensive titles (espcially with all the visual eye-candy enabled), the GTX 1080 would suffce if gaming at 1080p / ~144Hz (better if the monitor supports G-Sync). It's true we can never tell how games will be developed in the future, but, as of today, a GTX 1080 would be more than enough for 1080p gaming.

If you are going with a 60Hz/75Hz non-G-Sync monitor, there's no point in getting a GTX 1080 as enabling V-sync to eliminate screen tearing issues would force your powerful GPU to just render at ~60fps.
 
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Dragos Manea

Dragos Manea

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In present there is just one game that a gtx 1080 cannot handle it at 1080p 60fps, that is crysis 3, there are fps drops to 50s, also there is small drops of fps in witcher 3 but it manages to remain around 60 fps (57-60 fps) so no matter the resolution, the more powerfull the better because you dont know what the future holds.
 
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