[Solved] Which should I get first,,,?

Hey everyone....just wanted to say Im really loving the forum and just wanted to ask something which I am sure I know which option ill go with.

I have a Windows 7 / Phenom II X4 B55 *3.6GHZ 3 cORES* / 4 gb ram DDR3 / HD 5770.

Im upgrading my CPU and graphics card.

However I am doing it two separate times either the card first then a month or 2 *Hopefully* ill do the next. But in the mean time I wanna play Shogun 2 Total War *My Current setup handles it pretty good but not godly * I plan on changing the following:

HD 5770 / 500 WATT > 580 Nvidia / 750 Corsair PSU

Phenom II X4 B55 *Current Stock fan / overclocked* > Upgrading to a 2500k / P67 Motherboard / Hyper 12 + Fan.

Which do you think I should go first? I was thinking the graphics card upgrade first thats going to be a lil over 600$ and the Intel setup will be 450$+.

I was thinking of getting the most expensive out of the way first lol.

Yeah, I agree that I would get the video card first. A triple core won't hold you back too much for now. The 5770 isn't bad, but I don't know what resolution you're running.

or wait I think its 1920 x 1080 lol...Im on my sisters laptop so I cant really check but I know its that one

Alright I thought so I just wanted to make sure...this is thee best place to check about PC stuff haha.

With a new CPU from the Phenom to the 2500k...I know its not much of a difference for gaming but what will I actually notice? If anything?

CPU prices are not as competitive as graphics cards. Waiting a bit on one or the other will likely get you a getter price on a GTX580 than on a 2500K.

To get some idea of what each change will buy you, try these two tests:

1) 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.

2) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

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.

Also, the Corsair 750w is a fine psu, easily capable of handling a GTX580. But a 650w psu will also do the job, so long as it has 42a on the 12v rails.
On the other hand, a 750w psu will not be enough for two GTX580's in sli. I doubt that you will need to sli the GTX580.
Check out a 650 w unit, from XFX also, they seem attractively priced.

I am trying out Shogun2 on a 2560 x 1600 monitor and it seems to run well with a single GTX580 and a 2600K @4.0.

You are correct, it is the 62a number.
Fpr psu's with multiple 12v rails, you have to look at the spec plate image of the psu. It will have the total amp output of all 12v rails. If the number is specified in watts, then divide by 12.

My short list of quality psu brands would include Seasonic, XFX, Corsair, Antec, and PC P&C.
You should be good with a 600w+ unit from any of them. Sales and rebates are common, so look for that.

The psu you picked is a single rail model and will do fine.

Here is an example of a two rail model:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151095
and of the spec plate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Imag [...] r%20Supply

The spec plate shows a total of 576w for both rails, or a total of 576w/12v = 48a.
In this case, we have a quality psu, and the sum of the amps from the two rails(24a) is the same 48a.
For other psu's the sum may be somewhat less.

Best answer selected by lentyski.