Question BEST UPGRADE PATH for my i7 6700 & GTX 1080

[kaiserdgreat]

(BEST UPGRADE PATH) for my i7 6700 and GTX 1080. Should I upgrade the CPU MOBO first? or the GPU?

 

[USAFRet]

(BEST UPGRADE PATH) for my i7 6700 and GTX 1080. Should I upgrade the CPU MOBO first? or the GPU?

Follow this, post in the Systems Forum:

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[geofelt]

My stock approach to this perennial question:

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
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To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
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 should also experiment with removing one or more cores/threads. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of threads to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.



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.
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[punkncat]

Honestly, CPU/mobo hands down and without question. That alone will make system response and power FAR greater than it is now, as well as W11 compliant (if you care).

On the graphics card the question would be what your monitor and target resolution and framerate are. A 1080 is still a potent card for high level 1080 and mid setting 1440 play in most titles.

 

[kaiserdgreat]

Can I pair 6700XT to my CPU?

 

[kaiserdgreat]

Can I pair 6700XT to my CPU?

I target 1440p Gaming