Should I replace my CPU or GPU?

Steven Peng

Honorable
Aug 3, 2015
19
0
10,510
which one would be be better? I have i5 4460 rn with 8 gbs of ddr 3 ram and a gtx 970 I can either upgrade to lga1151 socket, get something like the i5 7600k and 8 gbs of ddr4 ram, or i can keep my old cpu and get a gtx 1070. Which one would be more future proof?
 
Solution
A perennial question.
Here is my canned approach to the question:

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%...
Well, the newer platform(7600K, z270 MB, and DDR4 ram) would have a longer effective life, and therefore be more "future proof"(if that really means anything). If you are looking for a perceptible improvement in your gaming experience, then I agree with envy14tpe: Get the 1070(if you can find one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!:bounce:), or go for a better monitor.
 
A perennial question.
Here is my canned approach to the question:

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 or more cores. 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 threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.



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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Your pc is relatively well balanced.
If you upgrade graphics, you should probably look more to a GTX1080 or you may not notice the difference.

If you want a cpu upgrade, consider a I7-4790K on your current motherboard.
Your I5-4460 has a passmark rating of 6600 and a single thread rating of 1946.
A I7-4790K, even running at stock gives you 4 more threads and a rating of 11197 and a single thread rating of 2530. Not very different from a I7-7700K.
 
Solution

Steven Peng

Honorable
Aug 3, 2015
19
0
10,510

i have 144hz already, i have one of the best monitors out there.
 


Than get a 1070 if it is at a reasonable price. Lately GPU prices are nuts. Try looking for deals or looking for used with warranty. If you want to hit those upper fps then you need more power unless you want CS:GO which doesn't need much.