What will give me better performance

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

morgannemis95

Prominent
Dec 5, 2017
2
0
510
Hey everybody

I'm just trying to figure out what would be the best bet for me to boost my gaming performance.. I think I already know the answer (a new processor), but I want a second opinion before I buy one

CPU: Intel I5-7400
12 GB Ram
Radeon RX 580 4 GB

So i'm kind of assuming I should jump to an I7 to get the best performance? Or a new video card? working on like a $350ish budget.

Thanks
 
Solution
EpIckFa1LJoN
+1 for the 7700k. That's the best you can afford. However if you do NOT have a Z270 board it may be a little more worth a stretch to go for a Z370 board and an 8600k, but that is about $50 higher than your budget. Because if you do not already have a Z270 board, overclocking is not possible, an overclocked 8600k will greatly outperform a stock 7700k.

I would download MSI:Afterburner and Rivatuner Statistic Server (comes with AB) and check per core CPU usage, and GPU usage. If you see high CPU usage on one or more cores (80-100%) while your GPU has less usage (lets say 40-60%) you would benefit from a faster CPU.

If you see 99% GPU usage, and the CPU does NOT reach 80%+ you would do better with a better GPU, or to lower the settings...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Barty1884

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Apr 16, 2015
22,250
1,350
108,740
On a ~$350 budget, a new/better GPU is likely unattainable at this time anyway.

What, specifically, that'll give you more performance, will depend on the titles you play. The higher clockspeed of anything >7400 should be beneficial regardless, but depending on the titles, the additional threads of an i7 may or may not result in wholesale improvements.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,295
4,145
174,240
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.

Most games can effectively use only 2-3 threads.
It is uncertain if adding more threads via I7 is a winner or not.
Usually, you do better with faster threads.

I7-7700K runs faster at stock, even if your motherboard is not capable of overclocking. You budget should buy one.

$350 will not buy you a GTX1070ti class card which would be a good jump in graphics capability
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

ryzenlover2017

Prominent
Nov 30, 2017
132
0
710
If I were you, I would replace neither that CPU if plenty strong up against that GPU, and better GPUS are REALLY expensive, being as much as 3 times overpriced. You could get a 1tb ssd and call it a day, or wait until parts are more reasonable. This said RX 4/5 80 are selling for a killing now, and you could get a 1070 with the extra cash... That's what I would do.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EpIckFa1LJoN

EpIckFa1LJoN

Admirable
Jul 27, 2016
1,794
0
6,460
+1 for the 7700k. That's the best you can afford. However if you do NOT have a Z270 board it may be a little more worth a stretch to go for a Z370 board and an 8600k, but that is about $50 higher than your budget. Because if you do not already have a Z270 board, overclocking is not possible, an overclocked 8600k will greatly outperform a stock 7700k.

I would download MSI:Afterburner and Rivatuner Statistic Server (comes with AB) and check per core CPU usage, and GPU usage. If you see high CPU usage on one or more cores (80-100%) while your GPU has less usage (lets say 40-60%) you would benefit from a faster CPU.

If you see 99% GPU usage, and the CPU does NOT reach 80%+ you would do better with a better GPU, or to lower the settings.

If you see high usage on both, I would get a better CPU and lower the settings some until you can afford a better GPU. For that budget however, as it has already been pointed out, will be a VERY small GPU upgrade and only a decent CPU upgrade.


So:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($326.29 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $361.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-06 16:05 EST-0500
WITH A Z270 BOARD

VS.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($255.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($117.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $408.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-06 16:04 EST-0500
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom