Best upgrade path for better graphics performance

[Isaburo]

So with the help of this forum I managed to put together a decent PC that can handle most games on medium to low settings -- I've been using it for over a year now and am very happy with its performance. But ... now I'm starting to get the itch to see better results (the impending No Man's Sky release doesn't help). It would be great to push the performance a little higher into the mid-high level range, if possible. My current build is:

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti Superclocked
Motherboard: MSI A78M-E35 FM2
Storage: Western Digital 7200RPM 1TB
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Power: LEPA ATX 500
Case: Rosewill FBM-01-450P MicroATX

Can anyone help a beginner by suggesting a next viable upgrade path? Again, I'd like to bump performance into the mid-high range on modern games. I'd also like to do this for under $200, if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ModMonster]

For that price there's not to much you can do. You can buy a GTX 950 or go the wiser route: sell your 750Ti and buy a 960. I wouldn't bother trying to get a 970 because it will probably bottlenck on you CPU. And buying a decent air cooler like a CM 212 Evo to OC your CPU a bit if you can.

 

[Isaburo]

For that price there's not to much you can do. You can buy a GTX 950 or go the wiser route: sell your 750Ti and buy a 960. I wouldn't bother trying to get a 970 because it will probably bottlenck on you CPU. And buying a decent air cooler like a CM 212 Evo to OC your CPU a bit if you can.

Is there any value in just installing the air cooler and overclocking? Do you think there's a chance for noticeable improvement there?

 

[ModMonster]

It depends. It will certainly show in CPU dependent work loads, but it games, it will probably only add a few frames. I would get a GPU and then save up for an i5 Processor. 4690k + LGA1151 Board or a LGA1151 board (if you can get one that supports DDR3 & Skylake)

 

[lakimens]

That CPU is on FM2+ as I know, nothing to upgrade there in terms of gaming, so the only way to go is GPU and I recommend R9 380, you will find it under $200 and it performs about 30%-40% better than the 750Ti.
The best would be to go for an i3-6100 and some H110 mobo with 8GB of DDR4, but that is a whole new build.
Anyway there is no upgrade path on your CPU, so you have to switch to intel, if you want to upgrade it.

 

[Isaburo]

It depends. It will certainly show in CPU dependent work loads, but it games, it will probably only add a few frames. I would get a GPU and then save up for an i5 Processor. 4690k + LGA1151 Board or a LGA1151 board (if you can get one that supports DDR3 & Skylake)

That makes sense. Thanks! I'll start exploring GPU options.

 

[Isaburo]

That CPU is on FM2+ as I know, nothing to upgrade there in terms of gaming, so the only way to go is GPU and I recommend R9 380, you will find it under $200 and it performs about 30%-40% better than the 750Ti.
The best would be to go for an i3-6100 and some H110 mobo with 8GB of DDR4, but that is a whole new build.
Anyway there is no upgrade path on your CPU, so you have to switch to intel, if you want to upgrade it.

Taking a look at R9 380s now, lakimens. 30 - 40% better performance is exactly what I'm looking for. Do you have any recommendations re. brand? Is this okay, for example: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00ZGF0WCK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2C8RE1CPFQZWB&coliid=I2G8GK3QOQGSVR

 

[lakimens]

That CPU is on FM2+ as I know, nothing to upgrade there in terms of gaming, so the only way to go is GPU and I recommend R9 380, you will find it under $200 and it performs about 30%-40% better than the 750Ti.
The best would be to go for an i3-6100 and some H110 mobo with 8GB of DDR4, but that is a whole new build.
Anyway there is no upgrade path on your CPU, so you have to switch to intel, if you want to upgrade it.

Taking a look at R9 380s now, lakimens. 30 - 40% better performance is exactly what I'm looking for. Do you have any recommendations re. brand? Is this okay, for example: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00ZGF0WCK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2C8RE1CPFQZWB&coliid=I2G8GK3QOQGSVR

That is good.
I think ASUS and MSI are the best.