what to upgrade?

blitzilla · September 8, 2018

playing fortnite & dota 2 these days but might add new games

setup:
24'' 60hz Samsung monitor
r3 1200, unclocked
2x4gb ddr 4 3000mhz

b350 Mobo
1tb 7200 random HDD

evga 650 tiboost 2gb
no ssd

no real budget in mind but im not paying 400$ usd for a video card. my max budget card would be rx 580s or 1060 6gb

Linker · September 8, 2018

If you are happy with your current performance, even a cheap SSD makes a huge difference, but it might be annoying to manage a hdd with it for storage, and to move your windows install onto it.

(Though ironically I still don't have an SSD with a R5 1600 and a 1070 :P)

CPU and GPU would probably be the ideal thing to upgrade... both seem a little underpowered for fortnite

I would upgrade the gpu first as it is much older, though an RX 580/1060 might bottleneck your CPU. Nonetheless they are solid choices.

If you feel comfortable upgrading your CPU so soon, I would pick up a 2400 minimum, or a 2600 (Though if you don't want to mess with updating bios you could use last gen chips).

In my opinion, upgrade the gpu to a 1060/rx580, and then upgrade the CPU at a later date to unbottleneck it, assuming that is an issue.

Fasauceome · September 8, 2018

Gtx 1050 ti from eBay and a cheap SSD for windows and chrome and stuff

McCloudX1070 · September 9, 2018

SSD prices have been in a steady decline lately so wouldn't be a bad time to pick up a 500GB for around $100+- a few bucks. Especially before things change and we see a 10-25% price hike based on lack of demand and tarrifs.

That would drastically increase boot times, inmprove game load times and general responsiveness of your system vs a GPU that would raise FPS but if you're already close to 60fps then doesn't seem like a worthy investment compared to the SSD in my opinion.

grss1982 · September 9, 2018

SSD and a video card upgrade if you want to play newer games.

Reznik · September 9, 2018

You should try and figure out a end goal for the system first. If you get the mid range GPU like a 580/1060 you might be happy with the performance at first but if the CPU bottle necks the GPU it might a annoy you to the point of wanting to upgrade the CPU in the near future. Not sure what PSU you have but if it's a low tier you may want to consider replacing that before adding other expensive components. You should also move to SSD at some point, even a cheap 120GB one for Windows would do but aim for 250GB if possible.

If that were my system I'd get the SSD now and be on the lookout for a cheap used GPU, like a 1050 TI.