New CPU or SSD?

[the21robot]

Hi guys,

I got some money during Christmas, and I think I need to upgrade something. My CPU is pretty bad right now, an i3 2130, and I really want a new SSD. I would normally buy the SSD because it is cheaper, but I feel like my CPU is starting to bottleneck my GPU in games like BF4 and Dayz.

My specs are:

CPU: i3 2130

GPU: R9-280x

MOBO: ASROCK Z77 Extreme 4

PSU: EVGA 80+ Bronze 500w

RAM: Unbranded 6GB 1333mhz

CASE: Corsair 200r

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1Tb

I just want some input on what I should upgrade for under $200, I am currently looking at a i5-3570k from Microcenter, and a 240Gb SSD. I dont think I can get an AMD mobo combo because of my PSU.

I am open to any suggestions.

[Senzelian]

Both are big upgrades.

I would probably go for the processor. The i5 is definitly a great CPU especially for games. You can still get a cheap SSD later on for your OS as they keep on falling in price all the time.

[the21robot]

Both are big upgrades.

I would probably go for the processor. The i5 is definitly a great CPU especially for games. You can still get a cheap SSD later on for your OS as they keep on falling in price all the time.

Yea, I am finding that I am starrting to get bottlenecked, in many games my cpu is at 100% and my GPu might only be at 30-70%

[kameshss]

Processor!

[Laputacake]

Yea, I am finding that I am starrting to get bottlenecked, in many games my cpu is at 100% and my GPu might only be at 30-70%

I'd say CPU as an SSD is more of a luxury in most cases

[FSBAlston]

That's a hard one. I'd say i5 since you're noticing the bottleneck while gaming.

[zShadowZz]

I would buy a new CPU, it would help out your gaming. The CPU is referred as the 'brain' of the computer

[DeViLzzz]

Uh this is an easy one ...

CPU

 

 

.... and I get another chance to say **** you to SSDs and I like it

[Mooshi]

For games aside from the initial launch, I'm hard pressed to notice much of a difference between my storage drive and my SSD. Well, unless the game runs awful to begin with. For a pure gaming perspective, an SSD doesn't do much for properly made games while the CPU could make a dramatic difference if you're bottlenecking on that i3. SSD is more for production/creation stuff than it is for gaming imo.

[the21robot]

I'd say CPU as an SSD is more of a luxury in most cases

 

For games aside from the initial launch, I'm hard pressed to notice much of a difference between my storage drive and my SSD. Well, unless the game runs awful to begin with. For a pure gaming perspective, an SSD doesn't do much for properly made games while the CPU could make a dramatic difference if you're bottlenecking on that i3. SSD is more for production/creation stuff than it is for gaming imo.

I also know that my friend has an ssd, and he could only fit BF4 and a few  games on a SSD

[Laputacake]

I also know that my friend has an ssd, and he could only fit BF4 and a few  games on a SSD

you can get the mx100 256gb for like £75 which is around $100 i think

[Mooshi]

I also know that my friend has an ssd, and he could only fit BF4 and a few  games on a SSD

 

The only game I have on my SSD of any significance is Watch Dogs because it's ridiculously slow running off my hard drive. It's why I said if a game is made properly, there isn't much difference between HDD and SSD. For disclosure, I use a 120GB Patriot Wildfire SSD from 2011 and my storage drive is a WD Blue with 64mb of cache. For what I paid for the thing those years ago, you could buy a 512GB one today.

[IMPERIUS]

Cpu

[i_build_nanosuits]

you defenetly need a new CPU...look for a used core i5 that would be supported by your motherboard.

[-iSynthesis]

Hi guys,

I got some money during Christmas, and I think I need to upgrade something. My CPU is pretty bad right now, an i3 2130, and I really want a new SSD. I would normally buy the SSD because it is cheaper, but I feel like my CPU is starting to bottleneck my GPU in games like BF4 and Dayz.

My specs are:

CPU: i3 2130

GPU: R9-280x

MOBO: ASROCK Z77 Extreme 4

PSU: EVGA 80+ Bronze 500w

RAM: Unbranded 6GB 1333mhz

CASE: Corsair 200r

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1Tb

I just want some input on what I should upgrade for under $200, I am currently looking at a i5-3570k from Microcenter, and a 240Gb SSD. I dont think I can get an AMD mobo combo because of my PSU.

I am open to any suggestions.

Processor!! Any day!

[Guest]

You should try upgrading your RAM in the future, I've only ever had trouble with amounts like 6GB.

[Mattler]

SSD is good but i think you'll be better off with the Processor m8

[Hieb]

Sell the i3-2120, get a 128GB SSD and an i5-3450, 3470, 3570, 3570K

 

But if you absolutely have to choose one first, get the i5... the i3-2120 is probably holding back the 280X in some games. SSDs are nice, but faster loading times doesn't make a difference once you're in-game so I think you'd appreciate the CPU upgrade more.

[Wind]

CPU. cause an ssd not necessary/ a must, except you only need the speed of an ssd.

[Oswaldaguilera]

CPU, used to have an i3-2120 and changed to an i5-2400, had such an improvement in gaming (BF4 and DayZ in the list coincidentally), later on you can buy the SSD.