Should I Upgrade CPU or GPU First?

[Weedingtechniques]

I can get either a new cpu, or a new gpu at the moment, but not both. My specs are:

CPU: i5 7600k

GPU: gtx 1060 6gb

RAM: 12 gb DDR4 2133

PSU: EVGA 500b 80+ bronze

 

Problem with getting a new cpu though, I'd have to upgrade my motherboard as well. And if I do that, I'd like to switch to an ATX Mid case, as I have a micro atx build right now, and it is real cramped in there. I can only afford either the motherboard or the case if I got the cpu. But if I just upgraded my gpu, I wouldn't need to get a new motherboard yet. I want to upgrade the one that will give me the biggest performance boost for gaming. The two parts I'm thinking of potentially upgrading to are the i7 8700k, or the rtx 2060. Also I am unsure if the 2060 will be bottlenecked by my i5 7600k, but from some research I've done it seems like it would be a small bottleneck. (I'm gaming at 1080p and would like a minimum fps of 60.) I've looked at benchmarks on youtube, and it seems like a pretty close call, but it's difficult to find benchmarks using my cpu and either a 2060 or better. Any input is greatly appreciated 

[Slottr]

You don't need a new graphics card for that display

 

If you upgraded, this is something you could go for:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor	$149.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard	$114.99 @ B&H
Memory	GeIL - EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$84.99 @ Newegg
Case	Fractal Design - Focus G (White) ATX Mid Tower Case	$44.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$394.96
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-03-03 13:54 EST-0500

 

[Weedingtechniques]

3 minutes ago, Slottr said:

You don't need a new graphics card for that display

 

If you upgraded, this is something you could go for:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor	$149.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard	$114.99 @ B&H
Memory	GeIL - EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$84.99 @ Newegg
Case	Fractal Design - Focus G (White) ATX Mid Tower Case	$44.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$394.96
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-03-03 13:54 EST-0500

 

I can only get one part ATM though and I'd like to keep my current rig and build on it 

[Slottr]

3 minutes ago, Weedingtechniques said:

I can only get one part ATM though and I'd like to keep my current rig and build on it 

Well theres no point in buying another 7th gen chip, and theres no point in buying a 2060 for the monitor that you have, as the 1060 is sufficient.

The 2600 is a strong chip, I'm sure you won't need an 8700k.

Thats the most economical upgrade you can get, it costs the same amount as a 2060 would.

[Weedingtechniques]

2 hours ago, Slottr said:

Well theres no point in buying another 7th gen chip, and theres no point in buying a 2060 for the monitor that you have, as the 1060 is sufficient.

The 2600 is a strong chip, I'm sure you won't need an 8700k.

Thats the most economical upgrade you can get, it costs the same amount as a 2060 would.

Ah okay, I see what you're saying now. I'll have to look into it more, but I was planning to either get the 8700k or the 2060 now, and then upgrade the other later. Reason I wanted to do it like that is because I get to choose and receive one as a birthday present. I have around $85 on me, and if I got the CPU I figured I could use that money to get either a case or a Mobo.

[Slottr]

1 minute ago, Weedingtechniques said:

Ah okay, I see what you're saying now. I'll have to look into it more, but I was planning to either get the 8700k or the 2060 now, and then upgrade the other later. Reason I wanted to do it like that is because I get to choose and receive one as a birthday present. I have around $85 on me, and if I got the CPU I figured I could use that money to get either a case or a Mobo.

So ask for the 2600 as a gift?

 

You seem quite budgeted, and the 8700k route won't help at all with that

[Weedingtechniques]

52 minutes ago, Slottr said:

So ask for the 2600 as a gift?

 

You seem quite budgeted, and the 8700k route won't help at all with that

Yeah, I don't have a job yet, so I typically get my PC parts for my birthday, Christmas, and from saving the money that I get around these times. I also get money from occasionally doing an odd job or two for relatives and close friends of my parents. If I were to ask for a 2060, would this increase the minimum framerate at all, or would the 7600k be holding back the GPU? Or is asking for the 2060 just a bad idea that I shouldn't even consider?

[Slottr]

Just now, Weedingtechniques said:

Yeah, I don't have a job yet, so I typically get my PC parts for my birthday, Christmas, and from saving the money that I get around these times. I also get money from occasionally doing an odd job or two for relatives and close friends of my parents. If I were to ask for a 2060, would this increase the minimum framerate at all, or would the 7600k be holding back the GPU? Or is asking for the 2060 just a bad idea that I shouldn't even consider?

You don't need a gpu upgade

The 6GB 1060 is perfect for 1080p 60hz gaming

[Weedingtechniques]

4 minutes ago, Slottr said:

You don't need a gpu upgade

The 6GB 1060 is perfect for 1080p 60hz gaming

In some games, my minimum fps dips below 60, and I would like the minimum to be 60, if possible by upgrading either the CPU or gpu. If the 2060 is a no go and the 1060 is fine, then is the 7600k what's holding back the framerate?

[Slottr]

1 minute ago, Weedingtechniques said:

In some games, my minimum fps dips below 60, and I would like the minimum to be 60, if possible by upgrading either the CPU or gpu. If the 2060 is a no go and the 1060 is fine, then is the 7600k what's holding back the framerate?

I'd start with the processor either way, the 2600 is a really strong and cheap chip and will perform much better than the 7600k

It will solve most of your problems.

[Weedingtechniques]

4 minutes ago, Slottr said:

I'd start with the processor either way, the 2600 is a really strong and cheap chip and will perform much better than the 7600k

It will solve most of your problems.

Alright, I'll look into it more. Thanks!

[Camelsmaycry]

I would agree with @Weedingtechniques, for a budget-friendly build pick AMD as you will be able to upgrade later on without having to replace the Mobo.

 

and No need to replace the GPU try a little OC