Budget CPU upgrade from current system

[makeminetogo]

So my pre-build Dell computer is 6 years old running an i7-870 cpu.

 

I like playing Witcher 3 and I wonder if my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU, an R9-280 as I am averaging 45-50fps in 1080p regardless of High or Ultra setting.

 

What GPU would be an upgrade over my current GPU from a budget build stance? My single thread performance however around 1100 and multi-thread around 4500 according to CPU-Z.

 

Main function of machine will be gaming for leisure, Excel/Spreadsheet  usage and Web Browser based Apps usage for work - No editing content creation/Twitch broadcast whatsoever.

[glitchmaster0001]

Just now, makeminetogo said:

So my pre-build Dell computer is 6 years old running an i7-870 cpu.

 

I like playing Witcher 3 and I wonder if my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU, an R9-280 as I am averaging 45-50fps in 1080p regardless of High or Ultra setting.

 

What GPU would be an upgrade over my current GPU from a budget build stance? My single thread performance however around 1100 and multi-thread around 4500 according to CPU-Z.

 

Main function of machine will be gaming for leisure, Excel/Spreadsheet  usage and Web Browser based Apps usage for work - No editing content creation/Twitch broadcast whatsoever.

from a budget stance get an i3 an cheap board and memory then call it a day 

[anybodykek]

I honestly doubt that it's a bottleneck. Your CPU has a turbo to 3.6 GHz and you could probably OC it higher. You could upgrade to a i7 980 for extra cores, but no clockspeed improvement. (A Xeon X3480 has a slightly higher clockspeed)

[makeminetogo]

Just now, anybodykek said:

I honestly doubt that it's a bottleneck. Your CPU has a turbo to 3.6 GHz and you could probably OC it higher. You could upgrade to a i7 980 for extra cores, but no clockspeed improvement.

Its a Dell Mobo, no OC possible. Also my the power draw goes above 95W when in Turbo and fans cant keep the temps low!!

[anybodykek]

5 minutes ago, makeminetogo said:

So my pre-build Dell computer is 6 years old running an i7-870 cpu.

 

I like playing Witcher 3 and I wonder if my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU, an R9-280 as I am averaging 45-50fps in 1080p regardless of High or Ultra setting.

 

What GPU would be an upgrade over my current GPU from a budget build stance? My single thread performance however around 1100 and multi-thread around 4500 according to CPU-Z.

 

Main function of machine will be gaming for leisure, Excel/Spreadsheet  usage and Web Browser based Apps usage for work - No editing content creation/Twitch broadcast whatsoever.

Just scrap it or sell it and build a newer system (Sandy/Ivy Bridge has some nice value chips, and Skylake otherwise, you can also use the upcoming Kaby on the 100 series Mobos).

1 minute ago, makeminetogo said:

Its a Dell Mobo, no OC possible. Also my the power draw goes above 95W when in Turbo and fans cant keep the temps low!!

P55 OC motherboards go on EBay for around 60-70 USD. Might squeeze another 2 years of life from your system, might not be the best option for you though.

 

As for your fans, what heatsink do you have? That is the main issue, for CPU temps anyway. And that R9 280 is not the best graphics card. Upgrade that before a CPU. (1060/480 is gud)

[vtecf20c]

your cpu - gpu combo is a very good "medium" combo, there isn't a huge bottleneck from cpu or gpu, a bit more from gpu anyway, but itsn't  a good thing for upgrade..

 

where i live 1060 is a lot cheaper than 480, and it's near 2x faster than 280, so i choose it for people who want a new pc from me, but with that your cpu will be a bottleneck , so you can't use at max, but you will have a good upgrade, with a better cpu you will not have any upgrade..

 

sadly there is nothing  in middle the 460 and 470/1060, that will be perfect for you.