Should I upgrade my cpu or gpu first?

DarqFX · May 6, 2018

Current:
GTX 960
i5-6400

Assuming that i dont have enough right now to upgrade both, but only one, which do you think would be best to upgrade (more which would should the best difference)

Yes it also depends on what im buying but surely one of these is considered weaker than the other?

Appreciate any help :wahoo:

robax91 · May 6, 2018

Your i5 will carry you for years to come. If you have about $250-300, a 1060 6GB would be a decent upgrade and keep you playing modern titles at 1080p for the next few years as well.

ashtonrosenzweig · May 6, 2018

The vast majority of the time, you'd want to upgrade the GPU first. At first I wanted to stick to that, given that both of the units were released around the same time period. Although, it really does depend on what kind of programs you use. Do you play games that require a lot of processing power? Do you plan on immersing yourself in virtual reality environments? What kind of monitor do you have? If you could answer those questions and describe how you use your computer a bit more, then it might be easier to come to a final conclusion.

captaincharisma · May 6, 2018

between the 2 option a GPU upgrade would make more sense. the only CPU upgrade that would make some difference would be an Intel coffeelake CPU but you would need to a new motherboard to go with it.

boju · May 6, 2018

You'll get more use out of an gpu upgrade for now but there is a catch relating to the upgrade which will be determined by a few things, longevity, games, psu and cpu bottleneck.

Check the psu will be up to the task and has the necessary Pcie connectors.

Longevity, games and cpu bottleneck go hand in hand. Since you'll be upgrading gpu you'll be wanting to play more demanding games so depending on the games, presently and in future a 4c 4t cpu will bottleneck multi threaded games.

6700k 4c 8t Hyperthreading will certainly help longevity but if your motherboard supports upgrading to a 6800k 6c 12t will last much longer and should be considered as your 2nd upgrade.

cold_fuzz · May 6, 2018

GPU, but only if a 1060 6gb or higher, 1050/ti is more like a side grade. 1060 6gb will be a nice upgrade, 1070 if you can afford it.

ashtonrosenzweig · May 6, 2018

cold_fuzz :

I agree, and it also depends on your budget, and the programs you use.

DarqFX · May 7, 2018

ashtonrosenzweig :

No intention of vr, for an insight, im looking into playing new titles however im 99% sure my current specs would at the very least, struggle on higher settings. For example Far Cry 5 is one im looking into. My monitor is a generic 1080p 60hz asus monitor, although considering upgrading to 1080p 144hz. Not sure if i gave enough info but there ya go

boju · May 7, 2018

Farcry 5 is one of those multi threaded games where HT does help. It'll play ok on only 4c but not the best, cpu will be in the 90s usage. Minimum GTX1070 if you want to play 1080p @ 144Hz

ashtonrosenzweig · May 8, 2018

DarqFX :

Yeah, a new graphics card is my recommendation then, but you should probably get a new monitor first, because 60hz is nothing. 144 is the minimum for today's gaming. My recommendation is you get a GTX 1060 because it is SLI ready and VR ready (just in case you decide to try it in the future). It also will support 4K, but if you want a really good card and you have the budget for it, get a 1070. After that, try and get the new CPU as soon as possible. You don't necessarily need an i7, but look for something with enough GHz (around 3.3+) and enough cores (at the very least 4-6).

cold_fuzz · May 8, 2018

ashtonrosenzweig :

DarqFX :

Yeah, a new graphics card is my recommendation then, but you should probably get a new monitor first, because 60hz is nothing. 144 is the minimum for today's gaming. My recommendation is you get a GTX 1060 because it is SLI ready and VR ready (just in case you decide to try it in the future). It also will support 4K, but if you want a really good card and you have the budget for it, get a 1070. After that, try and get the new CPU as soon as possible. You don't necessarily need an i7, but look for something with enough GHz (around 3.3+) and enough cores (at the very least 4-6).

?

60hz is fine and 144hz is not the minimum lol.
1060s cannot SLI and will not be good enough for 4k gaming, unless you don't mind playing on low settings, you'll want atleast a 1070ti / 1080 for 4k gaming at a decent fps.

Your cpu is ok for now, if you do get a new one, don't just look at its clock speed and cores, make sure you ask on here and look at reviews, clocks and cores aren't everything.

ashtonrosenzweig · May 8, 2018

cold_fuzz :

ashtonrosenzweig :

?

60hz is fine and 144hz is not the minimum lol.
1060s cannot SLI and will not be good enough for 4k gaming, unless you don't mind playing on low settings, you'll want atleast a 1070ti / 1080 for 4k gaming at a decent fps.

Your cpu is ok for now, if you do get a new one, don't just look at its clock speed and cores, make sure you ask on here and look at reviews, clocks and cores aren't everything.

Oops my mistake. My recommendation is the 1070, but get the 1080 if you can afford it. It’d be better if you got a 144hz monitor so you can use your new GPU to its full potential. Then start saving for a new CPU.

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