£250 to spend on upgrade, best way to go?

[Alex Connor]

Current system specs

GPU: EVGA GTX 560 ti
CPU: FX 6300
Motherboard: ASUS M5A78L
RAM: 8GB DDR3
PSU: 500W Corsair

A few years old this system, still plays 2015 games like GTA V pretty well on 1650x1050 res, but starting to show it's age. So got about £250 and wondering which upgrade path would give the best bang for buck.

Leaning towards a new CPU as the FX 6300 could go in my brothers new build (he's aiming for similar specs to what I currently have). Also tempted by a second GTX 560 ti (current one has given me excellent service) since they are selling in the £40-50 range, assuming the other components can support this. Or perhaps time for a new GPU, would quite like to be able to go to 1080p or even 4k at some point.

Anyway, looking for a decent step in performance, so any suggestions/advice would be much appreciated.

 

[senseijtitus]

I would really suggest a better GPU. That CPU is pretty good and has got enough juice in it for a few more years. Better go for an upgrade for CPU later on. a EVGA Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Superclocked would be perfect. Priced at £268.98.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EVGA-GeForce-Superclocked-Cooling-Graphics/dp/B00NSXYEQW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1434382528&sr=8-3&keywords=GTX+970

 

[geofelt]

Your motherboard is not suitable for dual cards.
A single stronger graphics card is usually better anyway.

It is not clear to mi if a cpu or graphics upgrade would be best.
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You could also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Your psu could support a graphics upgrade to a GTX960 or GTX970.

If you need a cpu upgrade, you need to go to Intel of some sort for the faster core speeds.
I might think that would be a strong I3 or a I5. and a lga1150 motherboard.

 

[Guest]

I would suggest splitting your cost and upping your CPU and GPU, the key component to any computer is balance. Your MOBO can't handle SLI it looks like from Spec, so you are stuck with uping to a new GPU. I might be a little over your budget (American money isn't worth as much so I am making a close guess)
For your CPU we need to keep the same chipset of course, so we can go with the 8320.
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285

For the GPU the 750 Ti is a solid GPU and EVGA hasn't let me down on anything I have purchased from them.
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024

That comes to: 257.86 Euros!

 

[geofelt]

A Upgrade to a FX-8 is good only if the games can use two more cores. Reality is that few games can use more than two.
And, the GTX560ti may be old, but it is still decent and comparable in performance to a GTX750ti.

Some testing is in order.

 

[senseijtitus]

For games, its GPU that matters the most. FX 6300 is pretty good for the CPU it is. It can handle any program pretty well. You just need a better GPU at this point. GTX 970 will be a very good pair for this CPU.

 

[Alex Connor]

Agree with points on proper multi-core support (or the lack thereof), also I've had experience with the GTX 750 ti because that's the card my brother has, we put it in my PC and there wasn't a noticeable difference between that and the 560 ti. From what I've heard you need an upgrade of at least 2 generations or tiers to be worthwhile, and the 750 ti is 2 gens newer but one tier down.

I did some tests with GTA V, framerate is much more sensitive to changing resolution/AA/effects than it is to changing draw distance or pedestrian variety, so I'm inclined to think the GPU is the limiting factor.

So I'll go for the EVGA GTX 970 SC then, what I have right now is the EVGA GTX 560 ti SC and that card has given me almost 4 years of 100% reliable service, only now beginning to run out of steam. Who knows, 970 might even last me that long again.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[senseijtitus]

You are most welcome Buddy. That card will serve you well for at least 3 years. Couple it with that CPU and you will not at all regret doing it.