What should I upgrade first in my computer?

[Truber190]

I want to upgrade my computer but I can only upgrade CPU/MOBO or GPU, but I feel either one I upgrade will be bottlenecked by the component I didn't upgrade.

My current specs(that matter to question):
CPU: I3 530
GPU: ATI 5770
PSU: 550 W

I am leaning to CPU/MOBO upgrade as 660 ti just came out and 7870 might go down in price because of it(that is price of GPU I want).

 

[Onus]

What brand and model (not just wattage) is your PSU?
In your place, I'd replace the CPU/mobo also. You may need to turn settings down, but the HD5770 should still be able to handle games on "decent" settings (even "medium" looks good on modern games). From there, see how performance changes before you decide how much of a GPU upgrade you want.

 

[Truber190]

What brand and model (not just wattage) is your PSU?
In your place, I'd replace the CPU/mobo also. You may need to turn settings down, but the HD5770 should still be able to handle games on "decent" settings (even "medium" looks good on modern games). From there, see how performance changes before you decide how much of a GPU upgrade you want.

Silverstone and what do you think about these CPU/MOBO bundles?

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=71291&vpn=Z77A-G45%20%26%203570K&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1043

or

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=71601&vpn=3450%20%26%20Z77A-G43&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1043

 

[jemm]

i5 3570K Unlocked CPU & MSI Z77A is a lot better.

 

[Truber190]

i5 3570K Unlocked CPU & MSI Z77A is a lot better.

Well clearly but I mean as value (price to performance)

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[jemm]

Well clearly but I mean as value (price to performance)

That was what I meant -- it is a better deal "as value (price to performance)"

 

[Onus]

Hmmm, I'm not a fan of MSI, more so after reading an analysis on an overclocking site that basically found a lot of them have undersized VRMs which can be prone to catastrophic failure under stress. I'd look for an Asus, ASRock, or Gigabyte option, if available.

 

[Truber190]

Best answer selected by Truber190.

 

[Onus]

Thanks. This thread will get closed, but start another one if you have other questions, or just to let us know what you got and how it went.