CPU Upgrade for GTX 980 or 1060

[MayuraDeSilva]

Hello,

Among these graphics cards, which one do you think I should pick (My vote is for ASUS) as a GPU upgrade?

Palit Geforce GTX 1060 Dual 3GB GDDR5
ASUS Geforce GTX 980 Strix 4GB GDDR5
Sapphire Radeon RX 480 Nitro+ 4GB GDDR5

And I think CPU should be upgraded as well. What Ivy Bridge CPU will go along with the GPU upgrade? This is mostly for gaming and leaning toward the efficiency - no overclocking intended.

Obviously, I'll have to go for a better PSU too.

My current system specs are:

Intel i3 3210 @ 3.20GHz
ASUS P8B75-V
ASUS NVIDIA GTX 660 DirectCU II OC
Transcend 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 DC
Samsung 850 EVO 250GB + Clover 1TB + WD Caviar Blue 1TB
Antec IPA450 450W

Further, do you think I should stick to current build and upgrade it all around next year with Cannonlake CPUs around? Still enjoy gaming with GTX 660 on 1366x768.

Or this CPU + GPU + PSU upgrade will be fine for a few years?

From what I've heard, there's only little improvement by upgrading to Skylake from Ivy Bridge processors and since Kaby Lake gonna be the last of 14 nm, not worth investing either.

Your ideas and suggestions are much appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[spdragoo]

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8B75V/HelpDesk_CPU/

Core i5-3570 is probably best, i5-3570K if you plan to OC. If you feel you need the extra cores, get the i7-3770 or 3770K. Either set moves your CPU up from 3rd-tier to 1st-tier (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-hierarchy,4312.html).

EDIT: GPU-wise, if you're worried about your PSU, you could always consider updating it with one of the low-power GTX 950s. They're a "good" recommendation for the 1080p resolutions (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-hierarchy,4312.html), which would make them more than sufficient for your needs, & they don't need separate PCie power connectors. I know EVGA was offering some different models, but there might be other manufacturers as well.

Beyond that, if you're not going to upgrade your monitor you could also consider getting an RX 460 or 470. The 470 offers almost the full performance of the 480, & both of them draw less power.

 

[SkyNetRising]

If you go with GTX1060, then you can skip PSU upgrade.
As for CPU upgrade - your best option would be i5-3570.

 

[Ishani90]

^ i5-3570 & GTX 980 or RX 470 / 480 > they are faster than gtx 1060 (psu upgrade necessary with 2x6-pin or 8-pin connector)

yes, you wont see much from skylake unless it's i5 or i7.

if u r happy with current build n gaming with mid-high settings, i'd say save money and hold off for next year. then upgrade cpu & mb to compatible kobylake or cannonlake. Also you will have better options for gpu and wont stuck with ivy bridge for next few years.

 

[Steven Castelyn]

I totally agree with spdragoo.

I recently upgraded to an i7 4790 and an MSI 980 gaming 4g and I feel like the CPU is a bit overkill for GPU's in this bracket. So I think a 3570 will be 100%. But if you can find a decently priced 3770 I say go for it as it might give you a little more lifespan as games become more multi threaded.

Your PSU should not have a problem with the GTX 1060 but the RX 480 might be pushing it to the limit and the 980 will most likely fry it. As spdragoo said the 470 is also a really solid option.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

Thank you all for your prompt and informative answers / suggestions

I think the best CPU is settled with i5-3570, and will go for i7-3770 if I can find one priced under my budget.

Since I can skip PSU upgrade with GTX 1060, will go with it - not the Plait I suggested in my OP though.

Will this one work with my 450W PSU - ASUS DUAL-GTX1060-O3G?

PS: I only have 1 x 6-pin connector in my PSU, and this one needs only one too.

 

[Steven Castelyn]

The site doesn't say exactly how much power the Asus 1060 uses but one six pin means maximum 150w which is the same as your current card so the power draw should be the same as it is now.

That is a really nice looking 1060 btw

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

The site doesn't say exactly how much power the Asus 1060 uses but one six pin means maximum 150w which is the same as your current card so the power draw should be the same as it is now.

That is a really nice looking 1060 btw

Thanks for the confirmation, Steven I'll go with it then.

It is - indeed Love the GTX 660 card I already have too. ASUS cards are cool and silent.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

Sorry for jumping back on this thread again.

Based on the suggestions, I was looking at i5-3570 and suddenly I've got a great deal for i5-3470. Thinking about going for it as I couldn't find much difference between two.

Is there any downsides on opting into i5-3470 instead?

 

[Steven Castelyn]

Besides 200mhz lower clock I believe they are identical. Not sure if you would even be able to tell the difference in game. If the 3470 fits the budget better I say go for it. If it were maybe 400mhz lower then it would be a deal breaker in my eyes.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

Besides 200mhz lower clock I believe they are identical. Not sure if you would even be able to tell the difference in game. If the 3470 fits the budget better I say go for it. If it were maybe 400mhz lower then it would be a deal breaker in my eyes.

Thanks for the quick response, Steven Just grabbed a new i5-3470