Upgrades on a budget

[JackOnPCin144p]

I've gathered a bit of money to upgrade my PC but I don't know where to start or what parts I would need more. 

 

I currently have... 

 

CPU

Intel Core i3 2120 @ 3.30GHz 

RAM

16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz 

Motherboard

Gigabyte H61MA-D2V

GPU

2048MB ATI ASUS HD7850 Series 

Hard Drives

Seagate 500GB

 

I know a better processor would be better to prevent my 7850 from being bottlenecked and I would also like to buy a 1080p monitor to replace my 1680x1050 monitor. I also think a SSD would be a good addition to the build for OS and maybe a game or two. 

My budget is around £250-£300 but I'd like to spend as little as possible as soon I will need to put money towards my dream, first car.  :rolleyes:

 

Thank you! 

[Goldilock]

If Mantle really works you might not need to upgrade your CPU.

 

MIght take a look at 180GB SSD.

[nsyedhasan]

I'd say save up and then get a whole new system.

[JackOnPCin144p]

I'd say save up and then get a whole new system.

 

That would be a good thing to do but it isn't needed. This build can currently run most games on High at 45/50 FPS. 

[nsyedhasan]

That would be a good thing to do but it isn't needed. This build can currently run most games on High at 45/50 FPS. 

The GPU is decent I would say get a CPU and Motherboard. Something like a i5 4670K and a GA-Z87X-D3H. After sell your GPU and get something like a GTX 760 or GTX 770.

[JackOnPCin144p]

The GPU is decent I would say get a CPU and Motherboard. Something like a i5 4670K and a GA-Z87X-D3H. After sell your GPU and get something like a GTX 760 or GTX 770.

 

With that CPU and Motherboard I'm already 98% into the budget. Thanks for your advice but it's not really useful. 

[nsyedhasan]

With that CPU and Motherboard I'm already 98% into the budget. Thanks for your advice but it's not really useful. 

Then just get a GTX 770 or GTX 780 and an SSD.

[JackOnPCin144p]

Then just get a GTX 770 or GTX 780 and an SSD.

 

But like I mentioned in the OP, my 7850 is being bottlenecked by an i3. Think about how much more a 770/780 will be bottlenecked if used with an i3. 

[tk421]

But like I mentioned in the OP, my 7850 is being bottlenecked by an i3. Think about how much more a 770/780 will be bottlenecked if used with an i3. 

 

Since you have a good motherboard with a reletively decent socket, I would get a used Sandy Bridge i5.  Then spend the rest on an SSD.  I don't think your CPU is bottlenecking your GPU that much though.  You would still see quite an improvement with an updated GPU.

[Kiwiandapple]

Buy the car first. Then with whatever money you have left over, come here again and ask us again with your budget. Can you tell us your current PSU? Your GPU is still oké. The CPU isn't bottlenecking it. 16GB is more then enough for gaming. 

 

I would suggest to get a 1080p monitor first. As well you would see a huge improvement with an SSD. 

[JackOnPCin144p]

Buy the car first. Then with whatever money you have left over, come here again and ask us again with your budget. Can you tell us your current PSU? Your GPU is still oké. The CPU isn't bottlenecking it. 16GB is more then enough for gaming. 

 

I would suggest to get a 1080p monitor first. You would see a huge improvement with an SSD. 

 

I have other money set aside for the car, just the more money obviously the better one I can get but that's going off topic so..

 

PSU is a Antec 620W 80+. 

 

Thanks for the advice on what things I should get when and why but what I really would like to know is what exact products would be the best for my budget. 

[Kiwiandapple]

I have other money set aside for the car, just the more money obviously the better one I can get but that's going off topic so..

 

PSU is a Antec 620W 80+. 

 

Thanks for the advice on what things I should get when and why but what I really would like to know is what exact products would be the best for my budget. 

 

I wouldn't really call it off topic. I mean, you have to set your priorities I guess. But if you want my suggestion. It would be, get an SSD first. The EVO has some awesome features, but if you don't give a monkey about it. Then you can grab a cheaper one: the V300. Then sell your card on ebay. Your Asus card goes for ~$250. (It is the DC2-2GB5-V2 right?) With that money, buy a new motherboard, cpu and a gpu.