What should I upgrade next? (Gaming Rig)

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NumbrXerr0

NumbrXerr0

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So I built my PC years ago and have been steadily upgrading it since then to keep up with current tech. Right now, I can play pretty much any game that is currently released on max settings with little to no FPS dips. However, there have been a few games recently that have put a bit more of a toll on my rig and have forced me to drop down to a Very High or even High setting to get a good 60 FPS out of it. I think it's about time for an upgrade. I'm not sure where to go from here though. I know I don't have top of the line anything, but they're all pretty good as far as I can tell. So I need some advice on which component needs to be upgraded the most to help me out with my gaming obsession. Here are my important components, I can list more if needed.

Motherboard: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130801
Memory: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233538
Video: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487088
Processor: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAEE5U67532
Power: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207030

If you guys need anything else, let me know. The processor might not be exact, I didn't order it off NewEgg, so I don't remember the exact branding. But it's definitely an i7-4770 3.40GHz 4 core.
 
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raisonjohn
The best price/performance upgrade I can recommend is just to change your GTX 970 video card to a GTX 1070. All the rest of your components (i7-4770 cpu, Z97 mobo, 16GB DDR3 ram, and XFX TS 550W psu) are still relatively powerful to handle the graphics performance of a GTX 1070 (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EQOWVLxk0DOFXKfzCmz9lEZ-qpMb7mIvt8KUYek69A8/edit#gid=0).

The GTX 1070 is ideal for 1440p/~60Hz *or* 1080p/~120Hz+ AAA gaming in ultra details, which can't be matched by the GTX 970 on those specific games when compared. The GTX 1070 is 1.5x faster than the GTX 970 (http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-970-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1070/2577vs3609) which results in...
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madmatt30

madmatt30

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You want a gtx 1070 or 1080 mate.
It's as simple as that , the 970 is showing its age now on newer titles (I know this because I own 2 myself) , same boat myself , having to run high to get a proper 60fps lock on a lot of new titles.

I'm prepared to wait out personally until GPU prices become more affordable & to see what new Vega options amd offer.

I don't find the 1070s that great value (in the uk at least) at the minute.

 
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ThomasKK

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That's a very well balanced gaming rig. What resolution are you gaming at? A GTX1070 would be a great card to push 120+fps at 1080p and 70-80fps at 1440p max details if you want to play everything with maxed out graphics. RAM - enough for now and CPU is still strong enough in my opinion, but might need to be upgraded in a few years.
 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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The best price/performance upgrade I can recommend is just to change your GTX 970 video card to a GTX 1070. All the rest of your components (i7-4770 cpu, Z97 mobo, 16GB DDR3 ram, and XFX TS 550W psu) are still relatively powerful to handle the graphics performance of a GTX 1070 (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EQOWVLxk0DOFXKfzCmz9lEZ-qpMb7mIvt8KUYek69A8/edit#gid=0).

The GTX 1070 is ideal for 1440p/~60Hz *or* 1080p/~120Hz+ AAA gaming in ultra details, which can't be matched by the GTX 970 on those specific games when compared. The GTX 1070 is 1.5x faster than the GTX 970 (http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-970-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1070/2577vs3609) which results in higher frames/graphics settings in those games.

A recommended affordable GTX 1070 (which also matches your black+white mobo) is the Asus GTX 1070 Dual 8GB OC:

Asus - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Dual Series Video Card ($392.88 @ B&H)

Another option (but not necessary now), is to upgrade your i7-4770 with an i7-4790K (overclockable CPU) that pairs well with your current Z97 motherboard (supports OC'ing). Again, this upgrade is not recommended now (as you will have to buy a new CPU, an aftermarket CPU cooler, and your GPU). This is just to give you an idea that you can still increase your CPU performance (in the future) without changing your motherboard and rams, if you choose to do so.
 
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NumbrXerr0

NumbrXerr0

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I'm running this monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Asus-VX248H-24-Inch-1920x1080-Monitor/dp/B00GMGHCVG
So I'm at 1920x1080 60fps now, I'm guessing that could use an upgrade as well.



Thanks for the info! So it seems like all three of you agree that my GPU needs an upgrade. So that shall be my next purchase. I really appreciate it, thanks!
 
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madmatt30

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If you're happy with 1080p @ 60fps maxed out then I wouldn't change the monitor mate.
Upping to a 1440p with a 1070 would give you around the same fps as a 970@1080p so while it would look sharper you still wouldn't be able to max settings.

What I actually do now with my 970 (because at the moment I'm not willing to upgrade because the only choice is a 1070) is to set desktop refresh @ 50htz instead of 60.

With adaptive vsync enabled then I get a 50fps lock instead of 60.

While competitive players would turn their nose up at this , I find it indistinguishable from 60htz & 60fps.
Its the drops you notice when running at 60 if they drop below, at a solid 50fps with no drops I find it impossible to tell the difference personally.
 
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NumbrXerr0

NumbrXerr0

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I'll keep that in mind, thanks!
 
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