Superior upgrade path: CPU or GPU?

[Litany]

I'm currently running a Core I5 750 at stock speeds (it refuses to overclock at all) paired with a Club3D R9 270x. If i were to spend around 300 or so upgrading one or the other, what would give the greatest returns? A I5 4690k (+ mobo), or a 290/290x/780? Thanks.

 

[Ken g6]

For what games? (Or other tasks?) At what resolution?

 

[Litany]

It will be at 1080p. It's mainly a gaming machine though I'm not upgrading for any single game in particular. Any other tasks would be comprised of the usual. Netflix, word processing, etc. No video editing or other intensive tasks other than gaming.

 

[riversend]

Yes, but what games? Ken wants to know if you are playing highly CPU dependent games like the civilization series, or something that is really GPU intensive. Also, what kinds of graphic settings can you live with? Do you just need good frame rates with low graphics settings, or do you want to keep medium-high settings all the time?

 

[Litany]

The Civ series would be one of them, yes. Off the top of my head: Diablo 3, Borderlands 2, Far Cry 3, Bioshock Infinite, Deus Ex:HR, Skyrim, Metro 2033/Last Light, Stalker, The Witcher series. I would like to try and keep medium or above settings at all times.

 

[Ken g6]

That's quite a litany of games, Litany. 😉 But they vary in what would be the better upgrade. :hmm:

So let's try this: Which games are giving you the most trouble with frame rates?

If I had to pick one now, I'd go with CPU, weakly, and in part because GPUs are advancing faster than CPUs.

 

[mfenn]

$300 is kind of an awkward price point for GPUs because it will almost, but not quite get you the best value gaming GPU right now, the GTX 970. However, it will just barely get you an R9 290X after rebate. So if it turns out that one of the GPU-limited games on your list (Far Cry, Metro, Witcher) is giving you the most trouble, then that's a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[Litany]

Thanks mfenn. I see what you did there Ken. 😉 I suppose I would say that after upgrading to the 270x from a 6850 I'm most disappointed in the performance of Diablo 3, Far Cry 3, and Bioshock Infinite. Diablo 3 to the point where I'm sometimes slightly suspicious that the card isn't working correctly in the first place.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

$300 is kind of an awkward price point for GPUs because it will almost, but not quite get you the best value gaming GPU right now, the GTX 970.

I'd argue that a $280.- GTX 780 or a $230.- R9 290 offer better value. GTX 780 is at least $50.- cheaper and performs very similar to 970. R9 290 is roughly 90% of the performace for 70% of the cost. The biggest advantage to the 970 is it's electric efficiency. Takes a LONG time for it to recoup a $50.- difference between it and the GTX 780.

Thanks mfenn. I see what you did there Ken. 😉 I suppose I would say that after upgrading to the 270x from a 6850 I'm most disappointed in the performance of Diablo 3, Far Cry 3, and Bioshock Infinite. Diablo 3 to the point where I'm sometimes slightly suspicious that the card isn't working correctly in the first place.

Each of those games will benefit most from GPU upgrade.

 

[greybaby]

This is unorthodox, but you should sell your CPU/MOBO and get an 1150 i5 with a cheap but reliable motherboard. You should still have ~50-75 left depending on where you buy. Then sell your 270x and get into a used 7950 or 280x. They're going for practically nothing right now. Get both upgraded. You'll still have money from selling the cpu/mobo as well.

 

[riahc3]

Not overclocking is a big problem. Personally, I change the motherboard to a better one that can overclock.

 

[sm625]

Upgrading the gpu will definitely get you the best return possible.

 

[riahc3]

Upgrading the gpu will definitely get you the best return possible.

Well his graphics card is a R9 270x released in I think 2013. The CPU was released in 2009.

BTW, if you are going to upgrade the GPU, change to NVidia. You will appreciate it in the long run.

 

[Yuriman]

Diablo is probably CPU limited.