GPU Upgrade or New Skylake Build?

[brizzy]

Hi Guys,

I am looking at either upgrading my GPU or possibly a new Skylake build.
Main purpose is gaming, with some occastional photo and/or light video editing.
My GPU is getting towards its limit with current games- especially if I want to enjoy The Witcher 3 and/or GTAV over the New Year's break!

So the main question is Upgrade GPU vs. New Build?
I am not looking at upgrading my monitor(e.g. to 4K) right now.

Current System (about 3 years old, not OC'd):
CPU: i5-3570K @ 3.40GHz
GPU: GeForce GTX 570
Mobo: Sabertooth Z77 LGA1155 Socket
Memory: DDR3 G.Skill 2133-111 RipjawsX 16GB (2133 MHz, 240-polig DIMM, 4x 4GB)
Monitor: Dell U2412M
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
SSD : Crucial m4 CT256M4SSD2
HDD : Seagate 1TB SATA600 7200
PSU: XFX TS Edition Pro650W

Questions I would love help to answer:

1. Would I see a significant difference in gaming performance upgrading to an i5-6600k build vs. just a GPU upgrade on current system?

2. For GPU I am probably looking at a GTX 970. 980ti is probably not worth it from a cost performance perspective on current set up?

3. I may also consider upgrading my SSD to a 500gb one. 250 is almost at it's max with games (mine and my sons!). Any recommendations here? Samsung seems to be a favourite.

4. Based on the above would you recommend a GPU upgrade or go for a new build? If I was to upgrade probably looking at between 1000-1500 Euros. Would keep monitor, OS, HDD.

Any recommendations appreciated
Thanks!

 

[Seba]

For games, get a new graphics card. GTX 970 or R9 390 would be good choices (and major improvements over your GTX 570). Your power supply can power any of those. Check your case to see if you have some significant card length restrictions.

You can install games on your HDD and will not see a significant difference. No need to buy another SSD.

Why buy a "K" processor, a "Z" board and then not overclock?

 

[lehtv]

OC that ivy puppy, but first upgrade your cooler if it's weak. With a typical 120mm tower heat sink + fan you can very easily get 4.2GHz just by setting multi to 42 and voltage on auto or with a little positive offset voltage. Up to 4.5GHz is quite possible with more tinkering and better cooler.

Then upgrade to GTX970 or R9 390 as suggested. E.g. MSI GTX 970 Gaming and Sapphire R9 390 Nitro are good models

 

[brizzy]

Thanks guys. Looks like upgrading is the way to go!

I actually chose the parts when building it intending to oc, but never took the plunge.
Any recommendations on good coolers to do so, as well as any good neewbie oc tutorials?
I have a fanless heatsink which actually takes up too much room, so might look at getting a new one and taking the plunge!

 

[Ken g6]

I have a fanless heatsink which actually takes up too much room, so might look at getting a new one and taking the plunge!

Generally, heat sinks that take up too much room are the best ones for overclocking. Adding a fan to your fanless heat sink might be your best option. What fanless heat sink do you have?

 

[brizzy]

It's a Coolermaster Hypo 212 Evo- which actually does not make it fanless now I think about it. Just a big tower with a fan
http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/hyper-212-evo/

 

[Ken g6]

No, that's a medium-sized tower with a fan. This is a fairly big tower with a few fans:

I believe there are a few bigger ones.

However, your Hyper 212 is plenty to start overclocking with.

 

[Seba]

GTX 970 or R9 390 would be good choices (and major improvements over your GTX 570).

I should add that this is valid even if you do not overclock your CPU.

 

[lehtv]

212 is a standard 120mm HSF, perfect for a medium OC

Do this in the motherboard BIOS for a free 10% overclock:

AI tweaker menu
-> AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
-> Turbo Ratio = Manual
-> Ratio Synch Control = Enabled
-> Core Ratio = 42
-> CPU Voltage = Offset Mode +0.005V
Digi+ Power Control sub menu
-> CPU LLC = High
-> CPU Current Capability = 140%

This should be stable. Run at least 5 loops of IntelBurnTest 2.54 on Maximum and monitor temperatures with HWinfo64. If you get errors then increase offset voltage a little (e.g. +0.020). If you don't get errors, you can try Core Ratio = 43. And so on. You can continue this way until you reach the highest overclock your cooler can handle while keeping core temps under about 85C in IntelBurnTest.

You may need to set your RAM settings manually (MHz, voltage, primary timings), or use the XMP profile.

 

[brizzy]

Haha Ken- thanks for the comparison
I guess I will start with the 212 then and see how I go

Seba- Thanks. Been reading up a lot on both cards. Not an easy choice.Never an issue with my 570 and has lasted me for about 4 years or so (older than current build). Both newer cards have thier pro's and con's.

 

[brizzy]

Thanks Lehtv- will give it a go! Do you recommend updating the BIOS first?
Have never updated it- still on 0801 from 2012.

 

[lehtv]

Thanks Lehtv- will give it a go! Do you recommend updating the BIOS first?
Have never updated it- still on 0801 from 2012.

Update it only if you run into some hardware issues (other than an unstable overclock) or if some functionality doesn't seem to be working in the BIOS.

 

[brizzy]

k, thanks- got it!