Upgrading my rig (in what order)

sneakypeekymustard

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Sep 6, 2017
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So I am planning on upgrading my computer and what I'm asking you is in what order should I buy the stuff (efficiency wise) because I am not going to buy them at all once.So which parts should I upgrade first to see the biggest difference?I feel like sometimes my computer is lagging because of some problems with the HDD(Randomly the system has 80-100% disk usage on random processes)Although i'll incompetent that's why I'm asking you what should I upgrade first.So here's my rig:

Motherboard - asrock fm2a78m-hd+
CPU - amd athlon x4 760k quad core 3.8hz (Im not using the stock cooler)
GPU - nvidia gtx 750 ti
RAM - HyperX FURY Blue 4GB, DDR3, 1600MHz, CL10, 1.5V
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 500GB, 7200 RPM, 16MB, SATA3
 
Solution
There are, at least initially, three upgrades I might suggest.

1. If you play fast action games, then upgrading the graphics card is easy.
Make the jump a significant one, say to a GTX1050ti at least, and preferably GTX1060.
A graphics card upgrade can be carried forward to a new build if it was insufficient.

2. Replace the cpu/mobo/ram. Plan on modern tech depending on your budget. Kaby lake or ryzen.

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...
There are, at least initially, three upgrades I might suggest.

1. If you play fast action games, then upgrading the graphics card is easy.
Make the jump a significant one, say to a GTX1050ti at least, and preferably GTX1060.
A graphics card upgrade can be carried forward to a new build if it was insufficient.

2. Replace the cpu/mobo/ram. Plan on modern tech depending on your budget. Kaby lake or ryzen.

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.

3. If your hard drive activity is because of windows hard fault paging because of only 4gb of ram, Buy a ssd for windows early.

I will never again build without a ssd for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do much quicker.
120gb is minimum, it will hold the os and a handful of games.
But, many things default to the "C" drive.
When a SSD nears full, it will lose performance and endurance.
240gb is the recommended minimum.

If you can go 240gb, better. Use your hard drive for bulk storage of sequential files.
Samsung EVO is a good choice for performance and reliability.


 
Solution