Worth upgrading GPU or whole PC?

[Tommo9]

Hi, first post on here. I think this is the correct sub forum to post to, if not, could a mod move it please.

I'm currently looking at upgrading my graphics card but i'm not sure whether it would be worth doing a new complete PC build.

My current build is:

Asus P8P67Pro Mobo
Intel i5 2500k CPU OC'd @ 4 GHz
Gigabyte GTX 650 2GB
Coolermaster 650W Power Supply

Obviously my graphics card is very outdated as i normally play most games on medium settings with a lot of options turned off.

Would it be worth while to upgrade to a high end graphics card, or would a better option be to upgrade my CPU along with my LGA1155 mobo?

I don't know what the lifespan of my CPU will be the way these new games like Witcher 3 are coming out ( i7 3370 reccomended?).

I'm not interested in maxing out games @ 4K. I'd just like to play games such as GTA V, Rust, CS, Day-Z and other new titles at 1080p on High/Max settings.

Thanks.



 

[don_svetlio]

Your CPU is still very much capable of running modern games. If you were to upgrade to an i5 4690 then you'd notice a max of 20% performance increase but you'd also need a new Mobo. The 2500k can easily run the Nvidia 970 or AMD 390 and can also run a 980/390X without a bottleneck, If you were going for 980 Ti/Fury/Fury X then you'd notice a slight bottleneck.

[Tommo9]

Thanks for the reply.

That was my concern if i was to replace the CPU i'd probably just do another complete build which i'd rather not do but if it was needed then I would.

I was toying with the idea of buying a 970 or possibly even a model down from that, just to tie me over for a couple years, till the full upgrade is needed?

 

[EllieThePurpleFuzzy]

2500K is still awesome :3, so thats good

I would maybe upgrade the graphics too, 280X/390/970 would be a good upgrade area :3. and i presume that CM PSU is a good one too?. hope so.

[JustChilliing]

I don't think you need an i7 for any game!

 

My i5 is perfectly capable. Don't tell it otherwise or it'll eat you.

[Tommo9]

Thats good to hear.

The PSU is a Cooler Master GX 650W.

[letsgetsteve]

I'm running a GTX 970 in my i5 750 clocked at 4.0 ghz  HTPC and it is doing great. Im not going to update from this socket until it dies. I would say gpu and your good to go. May want to bump the ram at the same time if your only running 4gb. 

[Tommo9]

Haha, I've just quickly ran Prime95 to see what the OC on the CPU was running at, and it went up to 4GHz at 50-55 degrees. 
Still room for another 0.5GHz i think!

[Tommo9]

Sorry for not mentioning, it's running on 8GB ram. 

[Humbug]

Just get a GPU. Everything else in your rig is perfect for high end gaming. A good GPU is all that it needs.

[Tommo9]

Ok, well i think that's my mind made up, 970 it is.

I've had my eye on the EVGA Superclocked ACX 2.0, which is £260 on scan.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-evga-gtx-970-superclocked-acx-20-pcie-30-7010mhz-gddr5-gpu-1165mhz-boost-1317mhz-cores-1664-dp-h

Does this look a decent price (UK) or should i shop around a little more?

Thanks for all the quick responses.

[IrshaadH]

Your cpu is more than adequate - even for witcher 3 which is a very much a gpu bound game. I'd say wait until amd releases zen before you consider a full system upgrade.

[Humbug]

Ok, well i think that's my mind made up, 970 it is.

I've had my eye on the EVGA Superclocked ACX 2.0, which is £260 on scan.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-evga-gtx-970-superclocked-acx-20-pcie-30-7010mhz-gddr5-gpu-1165mhz-boost-1317mhz-cores-1664-dp-h

Looks solid. You're gonna be in heaven coming from a 650.

[Colton Bily]

Ok yeah man your fine just get a 750ti or 760

[don_svetlio]

To give you an idea, my i5  (4590) was used at 50-70% depending on location - bigger city = more usage)
It has roughly 18% more horse power @ stock.

That means yours will max out at 90% usage in big cities. More than enough headroom considering Witcher 3 is hard on a system as fuck.

[ItsGinger35]

Ok yeah man your fine just get a 750ti or 760

No, no, no. He is getting a 970 which can actually max 1080p.

[alexyy]

390 is better value than the 970

[don_svetlio]

No, no, no. He is getting a 970 which can actually max 1080p.

Personally, I'd get a 770 4 gig if possible but new is always better than used so be safe and get the 970.

[Humbug]

390 is better value than the 970

he picked a 970 which is going at a competitive price, it's a good buy.

[Humbug]

Personally, I'd get a 770 4 gig if possible but new is always better than used so be safe and get the 970.

Even apart from the 970 being noticeably more powerful the driver support is better for Maxwell.

[don_svetlio]

Even apart from the 970 being noticeably more powerful the driver support is better for Maxwell.

While I agree about the drivers being better as Nvidia screwed over Kepler, I still prefer the 256-bit buss over the 224-bit buss of the 970. At any rate, it's a great purchase

[Colton Bily]

No, no, no. He is getting a 970 which can actually max 1080p.

I play battlefield 4 at ultra at 1080p on my 760

[alexyy]

he picked a 970 which is going at a competitive price, it's a good buy.

Better one

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-msi-radeon-r9-390-gaming-8g-twin-frozr-v-28nm-pcie-30-6100mhz-gddr5-1060mhz-gpu-2560-streams-dp-

[Tommo9]

Better one

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-msi-radeon-r9-390-gaming-8g-twin-frozr-v-28nm-pcie-30-6100mhz-gddr5-1060mhz-gpu-2560-streams-dp-

Always been an Intel fan over AMD but that is very tempting. Looks like i'd have to upgrade the PSU to run that card though, 750W recommended?

 

[alexyy]

Always been an Intel fan over AMD but that is very tempting. Looks like i'd have to upgrade the PSU to run that card though, 750W recommended?

LOL no your current one is fine