Weakest Hardware Component In My Computer - What should I Upgrade?

[Thomas Bartnicki]

I recently built a computer and I've got some extra money and want to upgrade it or just see what my next upgrade should be.

Specs:

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor

Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 250 2GB Video Card

Case (Built in power supply): Rosewill R103A ATX Mid Tower Case w/350W Power Supply


Thanks in advance.

 

[herrwizo]

1) PSU (XFX Core 550W, any Seasonic 550W) and graphics card (your choice, but I would start with R9 270X or GTX 760 and go from there). Stick to single graphics card, or you'll need 750W PSU at least.
2) Add an SSD (at least 120GB, preferably 250 to be able to install several games to it). Samsung 840 EVO is a great choice, so is Crucial MX100.

 

[Thomas Bartnicki]

1) PSU (XFX Core 550W, any Seasonic 550W) and graphics card (your choice, but I would start with R9 270X or GTX 760 and go from there). Stick to single graphics card, or you'll need 750W PSU at least.
2) Add an SSD (at least 120GB, preferably 250 to be able to install several games to it). Samsung 840 EVO is a great choice, so is Crucial MX100.

Thank you very much!

I noticed that the R9 270x is cheaper than the GTX 760, is the GTX 760 better? How should I choose?

 

[herrwizo]

Yes, 760 is faster, although not by much. But basically, either of them is a huge boost in graphical performance over your 250.

 

[Thomas Bartnicki]

Yes, 760 is faster, although not by much. But basically, either of them is a huge boost in graphical performance over your 250.

Will I require a better power supply to get a new graphics card?

 

[herrwizo]

Yes, you will. Refer to my first answer in this thread. The only graphics card that would be an upgrade over your r7 250 and still NOT require a better PSU is Nvidia 750Ti, which would double your current framerates.

 

[Thomas Bartnicki]

Thanks!