CPU or GPU?

[Blaze200038]

For reference, here are my relevant current system specs:

 

FX 6300 (Runs at stock, never OC'd)

2x8 GB 1333MHz DDR3 RAM

Biostar A960D+ AM3+ mATX motherboard

R9 380 4GB 970MHz core, 1425MHz memory (OC's to about 1050/1500)

Kingston SATA III SSD (120GB)

 

For further context, my primary applications are gaming @1080p (playing everything from AAA to Dwarf Fortress), light video editing and audio production.

Most applications run without a hitch; a few would definitely benefit from higher CPU performance.  Frame rates are probably my primary motivation in looking at upgrades though; I can get good (45-60) in most titles at medium-high settings, but I am not a settler.  I won't really be satisfied till I can set Ghost Recon: Wildlands to ultra and drive around in a buttery-smooth Bolivian Lamborghini.

 

TL;DR: with a budget of less than $300 USD, would I better off upgrading my CPU (and mobo/RAM) or my GPU (or something I haven't thought of)?

[Max_Settings]

This is a tough one. On one hand if you upgrade your CPU, you won't really get a huge performance gain, but on the other hand your CPU will hold back a newer GPU like a 1060 slightly.

[themctipers]

wait for volta, upgrade GPU, then CPU (you should overclock your CPU, you can buy a new CPU cooler but make sure it has support for AM4 for the future upgrade) 

[Lurick]

For the CPU upgrade:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($109.00 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($83.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($130.49 @ Amazon) 
Total: $323.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-30 15:10 EDT-0400

 

For the GPU Upgrade:

Look for a used 980Ti in the $275 to $325 range, or wait for the new GPUs to drop soon and re-evaluate prices.

[Tiwaz]

depends on your games for 1440p or 1080p I'd honestly upgrade CPU, mobo, ram and get a Ryzen 7 or i7. Upgrading gpus now with the mining craze still affecting prices is not a good idea and your current gpu isnt bad either

[Tiwaz]

Just now, Lurick said:

For the CPU upgrade:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($109.00 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($83.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($130.49 @ Amazon) 
Total: $323.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-30 15:10 EDT-0400

 

For the GPU Upgrade:

Look for a used 980Ti in the $275 to $325 range, or wait for the new GPUs to drop soon and re-evaluate prices.

thats barrely an upgrade and if yxou are getting lower end hardware you wont be spending so much money on more ram you will probably need. Addign a 2nd dimm down the road is pretty easy

[Lurick]

5 minutes ago, Tiwaz said:

thats barrely an upgrade and if yxou are getting lower end hardware you wont be spending so much money on more ram you will probably need. Addign a 2nd dimm down the road is pretty easy

Not sure where you're getting the "barely and upgrade" from but going to the 1200 is a pretty decent upgrade from an FX 6300, not huge but still pretty good.

 

Ideally a 1600 would be the way to go but depending on how far over the $300 budget he can go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor  ($197.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($83.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Memory  ($65.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $347.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-30 15:17 EDT-0400

 

 

-or-

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1500X 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($176.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($83.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Memory  ($65.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $326.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-30 15:17 EDT-0400\

 

 

Edit:

Can drop the above motherboard for this instead, still solid and saves about $13:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/TsfmP6/msi-b350m-gaming-pro-micro-atx-am4-motherboard-b350m-gaming-pro