Upgrade GPU or CPU first?

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mustymust

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Oct 23, 2017
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Hey guys,
My current setup is running an i7 960 and a gtx 770 and I believe it is time for an upgrade as my streams are starting to get a little slow. However, I can only really afford to upgrade one of those components at the moment. I had my eye on the new i5 8400 and have figured that getting a new CPU (including mobo and RAM) will cost the same as a new gtx 1070. So which one do you guys think I should upgrade first?
 
Solution
geofelt
My guess is that the single thread performance of your cpu is holding you back.
It has a passmark single thread rating of 1390.
Modern processors are twice that.

Still, it is worth doing some testing to be able to feel comfortable with whatever you do.

Here is my stock approach to that:

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends 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...
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
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My guess is that the single thread performance of your cpu is holding you back.
It has a passmark single thread rating of 1390.
Modern processors are twice that.

Still, it is worth doing some testing to be able to feel comfortable with whatever you do.

Here is my stock approach to that:

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends 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/threads. 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 threads 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------


 
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Solution
loki1944

loki1944

Distinguished
Oct 31, 2013
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If you are gaming; the i7 960 is still a solid piece of kit. Got mine @4.2Ghz paired with a 980Ti; does fantastic.

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