Upgrading GPU or CPU

Cabre_01 · February 1, 2018

Hello, I'm wondering whether to upgrade my GPU or CPU first. Currently I am running an i3 6100 paired with an RX 460 4gb. My budget is around €200 (I live in Ireland) and the budget will go up to €240-€270 as I would sell the components if I can. Games I like playing is CSGO mainly with a bit of PUBG and FS17. But I am getting in to racing games like Project Cars 2, Assetto Corsa, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Cabre_01

dizmo · February 1, 2018

I'd do neither, unless you're able to score a card used locally.

Video card pricing doesn't make it worth upgrading, and nothing on that socket is worth spending unless you get it for a ridiculously good deal.

Save, and upgrade to something later on in the year.

samcool55 · February 1, 2018

The GPU is the bottleneck, so throwing more CPU power at the problem won't do much, so upgrading the GPU is the best option, however...

Gpu prices are high AF. Like, stupidly high, the only option you might have is a 1060 3GB, it's not ideal but it's probably the least overpriced option that should fit in your budget and still perform quite well.

Just don't expect a massive performance bump and imo it's not really worth the upgrade, but due to lack of an alternative i would go for that...

edit: there is 1 thing that might be worth giving a try, call the shop where you bought your system from (or most of the parts) and explain them your situation and ask if they are prepared to sell you an rx 570-580 or gtx 1060 6GB for a reasonable price. Some shops are prepared to sell graphics cards below the price they are currently offered if they are sure it will be used for gaming.

Reason is that gamers are people that probably come back later if they need other pc parts in the future and are prepared to take a less profitable sale if that potentially gives them a new customer. I know for sure microcenter in the US will sell you a graphics card for quite a lot less if you also buy other components from them at the same time.

Princess Luna · February 1, 2018

Build is balanced as is... prices are expensive... just keep saving for a more meaningful upgrade on the future with newer hardware releases.

Cabre_01 · February 1, 2018

37 minutes ago, samcool55 said:

edit: there is 1 thing that might be worth giving a try, call the shop where you bought your system from (or most of the parts) and explain them your situation and ask if they are prepared to sell you an rx 570-580 or gtx 1060 6GB for a reasonable price. Some shops are prepared to sell graphics cards below the price they are currently offered if they are sure it will be used for gaming.

At the time of buying my system (end of summer 2016), it costed me €530 including a Windows 10. The RX 460 costed me €140 alone. And looking at that website again ( https://www.businessdirect.btireland.com/ ), prices keep going up and GPUs are been taken off their shelves even before the cryptocurrency. But in saying that I did find an i5 7400 for €75 and i5 7500 for €140. Both second hand on cex (popular second shop in UK and Ireland that sells games, consoles, accessories, etc.). Could one of those be worth it?