Can't decide which to update, GPU or CPU?

[soja]

I have a budget of a little over $700 for an upgrade I have been wanting to do for a while. I am a heavy multitasker, and often use streaming video while playing games among other things. This pegs my 3570k(4.5Ghz OC) at 100% constantly, and forces me to close background programs even in games like league.

 

At the same time however, my new Korean(QNIX, great screen for the price btw) monitor that runs at 2560x1440 100Hz makes my GTX 670 SLI struggle quite a bit trying to maintain a smooth 100+fps in most titles. 

 

I have 2 upgrade options:

 

Option 1

New CPU(5820k, 6-core w/HT, will overclock)

New Motherboard

New 16GB DDR4 Memory

Total cost: $725(give or take, priced it out on newegg, would buy using pcpartpicker)

This would only really be a CPU upgrade, I already have 16GB DDR3 and motherboards don't effect performance much.

 

Option 2

New GTX 980ti

Total cost: $690

 

I would like opinions on which I should get, and if there are any better options I would like to hear those as well!

 

Thanks for reading!

[Nonco]

Sounds like the CPU option might be better for you right now if your current one is always maxxed out.

 

Getting both would fix your problems, but if you have to choose one or the other, the CPU/mobo/ram option will help you the most if you dont mind on delaying your GPU performance.

[thekeemo]

why not a balance? high end but not top end gpu and a high end but not top end cpu?

 

[pomaranc]

3570K is still pretty good CPU, you shouldn't have issues like that with it.

[Chronos5618]

By pure value alone, I would go with option 1, particularly if you are maxing it out all the time.

[samcool55]

If you stream during gaming, the cpu upgrade is what i would take.

[soja]

why not a balance? high end but not top end gpu and a high end but not top end cpu?

I already have a quad core at 4.5Ghz, how much more of a balance could I get? The only upgrade worth spending money on would be a core count boost, and Intel locks that to the 2011 socket, and the prices I listed are for the cheapest CPU on the platform that is still an upgrade for me. GTX 670 SLI still performs OK for most games, but chokes on new AAA titles, a 290x or 970 would be a slight boost for a lot of money.

 

Sounds like the CPU option might be better for you right now if your current one is always maxxed out.

 

Getting both would fix your problems, but if you have to choose one or the other, the CPU/mobo/ram option will help you the most if you dont mind on delaying your GPU performance.

Yeah it would be nice to be able to multitask a bit more, and just run games at slightly lower settings, thanks for your input!

 

 

 

3570K is still pretty good CPU, you shouldn't have issues like that with it.

I have 3 screens and usually run server monitoring tools, and watch media on twitch(bloated flash player) or netflix while playing most games.

 

By pure value alone, I would go with option 1, particularly if you are maxing it out all the time.

Thanks for the input

 

 

If you stream during gaming, the cpu upgrade is what i would take.

 

I don't stream but I watch twitch often, its annoying to use Live Streamer Plus to pipe the streams into VLC, so resorting to the piggy twitch flash player hogs over 20% CPU. I actually hadn't considered that using a 6-core would allow me to record videos with OBS easier, thanks!

[thekeemo]

I already have a quad core at 4.5Ghz, how much more of a balance could I get? The only upgrade worth spending money on would be a core count boost, and Intel locks that to the 2011 socket, and the prices I listed are for the cheapest CPU on the platform that is still an upgrade for me. GTX 670 SLI still performs OK for most games, but chokes on new AAA titles, a 290x or 970 would be a slight boost for a lot of money

what if you sold the current stuff?

also core count doesnt boost gaming performance.

I think you have some malware since the 3570 is still a great cpu

[soja]

what if you sold the current stuff?

also core count doesnt boost gaming performance.

I think you have some malware since the 3570 is still a great cpu

The only thing I would sell is the GPU's, but they only go for about $100-120 each now. If I went with the CPU upgrade I would give the old parts to my little brother that is still rocking my old Phenom II x4 945. 

 

Core count would certainly boost gaming performance if I lack the CPU power to do all of my tasks. I am aware games generally don't benefit from multi-core, but when your CPU is pegged at 100%, more CPU power would improve performance. 

 

I am sitting at my desktop at 40% CPU usage, like I said before I am a heavy multitasker. I kee 10+ chrome tabs open at all times, remote desktop sessions, watching HD movies/tv shows, game launchers(League, Steam), Teamspeak, Thunderbird(email), and others. 

 

[thekeemo]

The only thing I would sell is the GPU's, but they only go for about $100-120 each now. If I went with the CPU upgrade I would give the old parts to my little brother that is still rocking my old Phenom II x4 945. 

 

Core count would certainly boost gaming performance if I lack the CPU power to do all of my tasks. I am aware games generally don't benefit from multi-core, but when your CPU is pegged at 100%, more CPU power would improve performance. 

 

I am sitting at my desktop at 40% CPU usage, like I said before I am a heavy multitasker. I kee 10+ chrome tabs open at all times, remote desktop sessions, watching HD movies/tv shows, game launchers(League, Steam), Teamspeak, Thunderbird(email), and others. 

honestly its up to you. You can get used 290x's for $150 so if you do sell the gpus you can do that. and if you think you will benefit that much from a new cpu go ahead.

[soja]

honestly its up to you. You can get used 290x's for $150 so if you do sell the gpus you can do that. and if you think you will benefit that much from a new cpu go ahead.

Thanks for the idea!

[BigDay]

have you ever thought about getting a xeon cpu?

 

Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3

 

Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3

 

?

 

they fit lg 1150 boards

[soja]

~

 

have you ever thought about getting a xeon cpu?

 

Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3

 

Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3

 

?

 

they fit lg 1150 boards

 

For what purpose? The socket 1150 Xeons are limited to 4 cores, which I already have, and they can't OC, which I have already done.

[BigDay]

~

 

 

For what purpose? The socket 1150 Xeons are limited to 4 cores, which I already have, and they can't OC, which I have already done.

 

4 cores, but 8 threads as opposed 4 threads. would save you some money from getting an i7

[BigDay]

the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 performs similar to the i7-4790k and is much cheaper. i know you were thinking of a 5820k, but you could use the extra dough to get a better gpu as well

 

the extra threads on the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 would be nice for workstation use

[Phillip_Sam]

How about a 3770k. It gets you 4 more thread and you'll be able to upgrade the gpu in the near future.