Here's my current build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($275.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 LED 66.3 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX - Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill - Challenger S ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill - HIVE 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ - XL2420TE 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor
Total: $593.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-23 22:12 EST-0500
Intended use is gaming. I'm looking to upgrade one of the components to boost performance here.
My current monitor is 1920x1080, but I am interested in eventually upgrading, perhaps to a larger 4k monitor of some sort.
I currently have about $250 to spend, but I could have around $500 after Christmas.
I'd say I prioritize framerate slightly over graphics quality. My monitor is capable of 144 fps, which of course I love when I can get it on older games. Right now, Far Cry 4 and Fallout 4 are sitting well below 60 on low graphics settings, and I was affected by the ongoing Arkham Knight bug that makes that one completely unplayable.
I'm guessing the most advantageous upgrade would be to the CPU or GPU? I'm leaning more toward an NVIDIA card this time around, but could be OK with Radeon again if I get significantly more bang for my buck.
Should I just buy the best NVIDIA card within my budget (and what might that be?), or should I be concerned about bottlenecking with the CPU yet?
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($275.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 LED 66.3 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX - Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill - Challenger S ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill - HIVE 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ - XL2420TE 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor
Total: $593.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-23 22:12 EST-0500
Intended use is gaming. I'm looking to upgrade one of the components to boost performance here.
My current monitor is 1920x1080, but I am interested in eventually upgrading, perhaps to a larger 4k monitor of some sort.
I currently have about $250 to spend, but I could have around $500 after Christmas.
I'd say I prioritize framerate slightly over graphics quality. My monitor is capable of 144 fps, which of course I love when I can get it on older games. Right now, Far Cry 4 and Fallout 4 are sitting well below 60 on low graphics settings, and I was affected by the ongoing Arkham Knight bug that makes that one completely unplayable.
I'm guessing the most advantageous upgrade would be to the CPU or GPU? I'm leaning more toward an NVIDIA card this time around, but could be OK with Radeon again if I get significantly more bang for my buck.
Should I just buy the best NVIDIA card within my budget (and what might that be?), or should I be concerned about bottlenecking with the CPU yet?