Gaming - Buy a Better CPU or Better GPU?

[mrw2828]

Hi all,

I'm looking into buying a prebuilt gaming rig (tower, not notebook) for ~$800-$900. I'd thought of building myself but it seems like it might be more of a project than I'd be up for and maybe equal in pricing.

I'm not looking to futureproof but would like something that can run current titles on High settings and keep up with releases for the next couple years (as my current notebook - a Dell with i5 CPU M 430, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670 - has done until now).

Anyway, my question is: Should I shoot for something with a higher-end processor with a lower-end GPU, or vice versa? E.G. I found an i5 4570 with a GeForce GTX 760 for basically the same price as an i7 4770K with a Radeon R7 250 and am not sure which would serve me better.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Zardnok]

Check out the Mid-Range system guide over in the General Hardware section and adjust accordingly.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

 

[Fox5]

If gaming is the concern, always go for more gpu over cpu. Especially since a core i5 is more than enough for everything out now and for the forseeable future, and an i7 is only a small boost.

That said, gaming machines are frequently cheaper to build yourself.

 

[twinto23]

well, you may want to try i5 4440 and maybe 770 for your gpu

for the gaming, you may want to get a good gpu, but an "OK" cpu though
but I suggest the i5 not i7

i7 is good, for the watch dogs ultra setting, it required the i7-4770k and 780 for need
but if you dont looking for ultra spec, i5 is good for you

but also, i think motherboard is also important for the pc build

I get i5-4440 cpu, z97 gaming 5 mb, and 760 for gpu
work great, but you can try h97 mb, if you r not planning for oc
(gonna grab the g3258 pentium cpu for oc issue)

but for your question, i think gpu > cpu

 

[Flapdrol1337]

the i5 with a 760 will perform much better than the other system.

Or build your own, it is the way of the samurai.

 

[Gikaseixas]

Go bigger GPU
The i5 is plenty fast to drive the GTX760, very balanced PC