120hz monitor or new GPU

[briskYO]

I currently have ~$400 to spend on computer components and I am having trouble coming to a decision on what to purchase.

My first option would be to purchase a 120hz monitor (the Asus vg248qe so i can upgrade it with a g-sync kit when they are released) for a smoother gameplay overall.

The second option would be to buy a new GPU (currently have a 560 ti) as nvidia wont be releasing new GPUs anytime soon because TSMC isnt ready for 20nm yet.

Upgrading my GPU would obviously make gameplay smoother but so would the monitor. Buying the monitor is kind of a risk because i feel like anyday now a 120hz IPS monitor will be released at an affordable price and therefore make my purchase a waste of money.

On the other hand if I upgrade the monitor i might not be able to take full advantage of it because i cant reach 120fps in most games.

Anyways if anyone has suggestions please post them and i will be glad to receive the help.

 

[Don Julio Anejo]

Definitely upgrade the GPU. Your 550 Ti won't let you play much of anything now at decent settings if you're running at 1080p. Chances are, you're already highly GPU limited ("buying a video card will make my game play smoother"), and spending even $200-250 on a new video card (i.e. the R9-270X or GTX 760) will make a huge difference, by as much as 100-150% performance gain.

On the other hand, a 120 Hz monitor will really only help if you're already got so much power, you don't know what to do with it and most games can push 100+ FPS at settings you like. Without a card that can get you 120 FPS, it's pretty much a waste of money, as you'll be limited by what your video card can render.

If you're not even getting 50-60 FPS on a 1080p now, a new monitor will make absolutely no difference. If you have a smaller resolution monitor, as soon as you get the Asus you mentioned, your framerates will drop enough that you won't see any benefit from the monitor until you upgrade the video card.

 

[briskYO]

Woops i guess its a 560 ti not a 550 ti is it still better to upgrade my gpu?

Definitely upgrade the GPU. Your 550 Ti won't let you play much of anything now at decent settings if you're running at 1080p. Chances are, you're already highly GPU limited ("buying a video card will make my game play smoother"), and spending even $200-250 on a new video card (i.e. the R9-270X or GTX 760) will make a huge difference, by as much as 100-150% performance gain.

On the other hand, a 120 Hz monitor will really only help if you're already got so much power, you don't know what to do with it and most games can push 100+ FPS at settings you like. Without a card that can get you 120 FPS, it's pretty much a waste of money, as you'll be limited by what your video card can render.

If you're not even getting 50-60 FPS on a 1080p now, a new monitor will make absolutely no difference. If you have a smaller resolution monitor, as soon as you get the Asus you mentioned, your framerates will drop enough that you won't see any benefit from the monitor until you upgrade the video card.

 

[Don Julio Anejo]

Yes, still upgrade your GPU. What monitor size/resolution are you currently using, btw?

 

[briskYO]

Yes, still upgrade your GPU. What monitor size/resolution are you currently using, btw?

21.5" 1080p

 

[Don Julio Anejo]

A new monitor will look a bit nicer, though no point getting 120 Hz until your video card can handle it, 560 Ti simply won't render enough frames except at low settings to make it worthwhile. Also, if yours is IPS, it'll give you a better picture/viewing angle/everything than the Asus.

 

[hypergon]

Getting 120hz only makes sense if the GPU can deliver 120fps, to dully use this feature you'd have to buy a new card too

Get a better card 1st, then look for a better monitor if you really need one

 

[briskYO]

Ok thanks guys ill definitely be getting a new GPU