Upgrade CPU or GPU first?

Laceyn · Apr 25, 2017

So i want to eventually upgrade to a i5-7500 and a 1060 6gb but atm can order 1. So my question with my current build is which should i buy first and when it comes to the 1060 6gb what brand? My budget is $230 and i prefer Amazon.
My build:
MSI H110m Gaming mobo
I3-6100
1050 TI SC 4gb
Corsair 8gb lpx ddr4 2400
Thermaltake 430w
Corsair Air 240
Samsung 850 EVO 250gb

Atomicdonut17 · Apr 25, 2017

I'd say a GPU upgrade. While you'll have a relatively insignificant bottleneck, you'll see some significant improvements over the 1050 Ti.

Zotac Compact 1060 6GB:
https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-GeForce-ZT-P10600A-10L-Compact-Graphics/dp/B01IDCOOIU/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1493123347&sr=1-8&keywords=GTX+1060+6GB

Zotac is a wonderful brand, and my own card is a Zotac. If you don't mind size, these cards are great for the price, and have surprisingly good coolers/sunflower heatsinks.

MSI ARMOR OC:
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GTX-1060-ARMOR-OCV1/dp/B01L9VB642/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1493123415&sr=1-1&keywords=GTX+1060+6GB

I've never had any issues with MSI, and these ARMOR cards are no exception. Exceptional cooling solutions, nice aesthetic and a design built to last.

The Paladin · Apr 25, 2017

too many failed cards with MSI and Asus, I only use EVGA. Never had one fail.

EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING, ACX 2.0 : https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Support-Graphics-06G-P4-6161-KR/dp/B01IPVSGEC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1493123937&sr=1-1&keywords=EVGA+GTX+1060+6GB

Atomicdonut17 · Apr 25, 2017

The Paladin :

atomicWAR · Apr 25, 2017

Yeah getting a GTX 1060 will give you the most bang for your buck up front. I would consider going with an i7 though when you can upgrade your CPU. i5s had a great run as the best bang for your buck CPU wise but 4C/4T CPUs like this are coming to an end as the best for gaming. More games are launching everyday that can use >4 threads. If I were you 4C/8T is the minimum I would want in a new gaming CPU. I get budget dictates all so by no means take this as "get the i7 or you'll be sorry." While you may be sorry, new and better is just that. And the i5 in question is new and better than your i3 is. Just be mindful new games like BF1, Watch Dogs 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands, etc can take every thread you have. In multiplayer especially these titles are now bottlenecking the fastest i5s. If you get all that and you still buy the i5 do to budget...it is what it is. I would run a 1000C/2000T CPU if they made one and I could afford it. In the end atomicdonut is correct. Budget dictates all!

spdragoo · Apr 25, 2017

Laceyn :

My only question is what resolution you're gaming at. The 1050Ti isn't bad for 1080p or sub-1080p gaming, so unless you're now using a 1440p monitor (or perhaps even a 144Hz 1080p monitor) your improvement gains may not be as noticeable.

OTOH...replacing your i3 with an i5 would give you some noticeable improvement, not just in games but in other performance as well. Just make sure that a) before buying a Kaby Lake i5 (or i7) you double-check to see if you need a BIOS update (I think it'll work with any of the Kaby Lake CPUs, but not 100% sure, https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/H110M-GAMING.html#support-cpu), & b) if you need to update the BIOS, do it before installing the new CPU.

Laceyn · Apr 25, 2017

spdragoo :

Laceyn :

My only question is what resolution you're gaming at. The 1050Ti isn't bad for 1080p or sub-1080p gaming, so unless you're now using a 1440p monitor (or perhaps even a 144Hz 1080p monitor) your improvement gains may not be as noticeable.

OTOH...replacing your i3 with an i5 would give you some noticeable improvement, not just in games but in other performance as well. Just make sure that a) before buying a Kaby Lake i5 (or i7) you double-check to see if you need a BIOS update (I think it'll work with any of the Kaby Lake CPUs, but not 100% sure, https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/H110M-GAMING.html#support-cpu), & b) if you need to update the BIOS, do it before installing the new CPU.

Honestly i want to be able to play VR games and enjoy all of its benefits. I plan to buy a 1440p Monitor soon. And yes i already installed all my bios updates and drivers. Everything is ready for 7th gen.

Laceyn · Apr 25, 2017

Atomicdonut17 :

Ok cool i will more then likey get the MSI 1060 you linked, from the reviews and the looks it seems like a solid choice for my budget!!! Thank you!

Laceyn · Apr 25, 2017

atomicWAR :

Yeah getting a GTX 1060 will give you the most bang for your buck up front. I would consider going with an i7 though when you can upgrade your CPU. i5s had a great run as the best bang for your buck CPU wise but 4C/4T CPUs like this are coming to an end as the best for gaming. More games are launching everyday that can use >4 threads. If I were you 4C/8T is the minimum I would want in a new gaming CPU. I get budget dictates all so by no means take this as "get the i7 or you'll be sorry." While you may be sorry, new and better is just that. And the i5 in question is new and better than your i3 is. Just be mindful new games like BF1, Watch Dogs 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands, etc can take every thread you have. In multiplayer especially these titles are now bottlenecking the fastest i5s. If you get all that and you still buy the i5 do to budget...it is what it is. I would run a 1000C/2000T CPU if they made one and I could afford it. In the end atomicdonut is correct. Budget dictates all!

Does it matter which I7? And do you think it is worth waiting the extra month to get one over a I5?

atomicWAR · Apr 25, 2017

Laceyn :

atomicWAR :

Does it matter which I7? And do you think it is worth waiting the extra month to get one over a I5?

I would go with something @ or over 3ghz. Ideally the best one you can afford. Yes it would be worth waiting an extra month.

Laceyn · Apr 25, 2017

Ok awesome thank you! So get the 1060 6gb now and a i7-7700 later? I don't overclock or do anything hardcore. Just game and watch Netflix.

atomicWAR · Apr 25, 2017

yeah if you don't plan to overclock that will be a great cpu.

Laceyn · Apr 25, 2017

Do I need to overclock for gaming or is that mainly for video editing and stuff?

atomicWAR · Apr 26, 2017

you never need to overclock. It does help increase your frame rate in games and yes video editing it can shorten the time it takes. OCing just makes a fast processor that much faster. An OC can also give your old CPU a little extra life (performance wise, OCing can wear your CPU faster but personally never had much issue with it as I need a new platform before it becomes an issue). I enjoy a good overclock myself but if your want to keep it simple there is nothing wrong with that at all. It's a question if you like to tinker and would appreciate some more horse power from your CPU.

Laceyn · Apr 26, 2017

Ok awesome thanks. So with my h110m motherboard with the bios update for 7th gen the i7-7700 will perform the same as if it was on a zboard? Don't want to buy Another motherboard if I don't have to ya know.

atomicWAR · Apr 26, 2017

nah you may need to update your Bios but no need for a new motherboard.

Laceyn · Apr 26, 2017

Ok so just update to the newest bios and I'll be golden?

Laceyn · Apr 26, 2017

Thanks everyone for all the great info! I went ahead and ordered the Evga 1060 6gb SC and will order the i7-7700 next!

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