Currently GTX 1050 and i3 6100. Upgrade CPU or GPU?

DMcSullivan · Jun 22, 2017

As the title says, I can right now upgrade only one of those. Which one would benefit my in-game performance the most?

The graphics card I want to upgrade to is the GTX 1070, and the CPU would be the i5 7600k.

My current setup is:
Intel Core i3 6100 3.7GHz
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050 2Gb
8Gb(x2) DDR4 RAM @ 3100MHz
Asus Z170P
650w 80 plus power source

I'm not very well versed in PC building as this is my first setup, but I was told both my mother board and power source could handle the upgrade.

So, which of the two is in my best interest to upgrade to?

Edit: I'm aware I can get an i7 7700k for the same money or less a GTX 1070 costs, but for various reasons I can get the 1070 much cheaper than usual, which is why my option for processor is the i5.

Saleh_5 · Jun 22, 2017

Upgrading your GPU will do much more difference. What model is your PSU? I need to know how many GPU connectors it has.

ARICH5 · Jun 22, 2017

you can upgrade to the kabylake just make sure you do the bios upgrade first with the skylake cpu first.

Saleh_5 · Jun 22, 2017

ARICH5 :

Not worth it.

DMcSullivan · Jun 22, 2017

Saleh_5 :

It's a Gamemax GP650 650W 80+ Bronze PSU. Not really the fanciest of brands I guess but was what I could afford at the time.

Chugalug_ · Jun 22, 2017

Get a 7700k first and just chuck it in, well worth to spend that bit more over the 7600k, save for a next gen high end GPU, like the 1180.
That PSU will be fine with up to a 1070/80.

Saleh_5 · Jun 22, 2017

It has 6+2 Pin PCIE connectors. What GTX 1070 are you planning on getting?

Saleh_5 · Jun 22, 2017

Chugalug_ :

In gaming he will benefit a lot more from a GPU upgrade than a CPU upgrade.

DMcSullivan · Jun 22, 2017

Saleh_5 :

Gigabyte. Not really sure right now of the exact reference my provider is offering me (if there's even more than one lol).

Saleh_5 · Jun 22, 2017

DMcSullivan :

Its compatible. Alright man good luck make sure the GPU has 8 pins before you get it, Dont make the same mistake i did lol.

DMcSullivan · Jun 23, 2017

Saleh_5 :

DMcSullivan :

Its compatible. Alright man good luck make sure the GPU has 8 pins before you get it, Dont make the same mistake i did lol.

Thanks a lot!

Chugalug_ · Jun 23, 2017

Saleh_5 :

Incorrect, an i7 will greatly improve framerates, it also futureproofs him for further upgrades, later down the line the i5 will fall behind as multi-threaded application becomes more prevalent, far better to just get it now and save for later even though you can get a 1070 cheap @OP.
Unless the 1070 is below $300, not worth it.

jason3871 · Jun 23, 2017

First, do you want it mainly for gaming or for streaming and video editing as well? Secondly, what resolution do you game at? Thirdly, what is your budget?

DMcSullivan · Jun 23, 2017

Chugalug_ :

It would cost me $370 (normal price in my country is around 500-510ish). Also btw, in my country, the 7700k costs around $480, which is out of my budget.

jason3871 :

Exclusevely for gaming. I play at 1080 and my budget is $400 (the GTX 1070 would cost me $370 and the i5 $340). Saving the extra $80 is not an option for me right now.

I just want to know which of the two would have a greater impact on my gaming performance.

Chugalug_ · Jun 23, 2017

You're in Aus I presume.

That's fine then.
The i7 would result in more stable, higher frame rates with future upgrades, whereas if you went with the i5 you'd have to upgrade that next time you moved your GPU up which would result in you buying the 7700k anyway, so i'm saying buy it now, save more later.

If the budget is $400, save a bit more for the 7700k.
http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/intel-core-i7-7700k-4.2ghz-lga1151-cpu/BX80677I77700K

DMcSullivan · Jun 23, 2017

Chugalug_ :

Spending more than $400 is not an option for me, so those are my two options.

PS. Colombia, actually, the land of the $660 PS4 on launch FeelsBadMan.

Chugalug_ · Jun 23, 2017

Oooh right.

That's okay then, get the i5.

jason3871 · Jun 24, 2017

DMcSullivan :

Simply for gaming performance I would go with the GTX 1070. Note this might not be a very balanced system and you might encounter a CPU bottleneck but even with that bottleneck your performance would still be much better in games than it currently is. Also increasing in game settings to their max can help remove a little of that bottleneck as more pressure would be on the GPU.

Saleh_5 · Jun 24, 2017

jason3871 :

DMcSullivan :

Simply for gaming performance I would go with the GTX 1070. Note this might not be a very balanced system and you might encounter a CPU bottleneck but even with that bottleneck your performance would still be much better in games than it currently is. Also increasing in game settings to their max can help remove a little of that bottleneck as more pressure would be on the GPU.

I agree with Jason get a GTX 1070 instead of a i5 because the GTX 1070 will give you a lot of performance in gaming.

Chugalug_ · Jun 24, 2017

An i3 bottlenecks anything higher than an RX 580/1060 6GB, you'd be wasting performance.

Saleh_5 · Jun 24, 2017

Yeah it bottlenecks but you still get more performance than upgrading CPU.

Chugalug_ · Jun 24, 2017

The only reason I would consider that is if you went for the 1070, and then saved for an i7 tbh.

Currently GTX 1050 and i3 6100. Upgrade CPU or GPU?

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