CPU or GPU upgrade

[astrofighter122]

Hey guys, I currently own an FX-8320E with a GTX 950 and 8GB RAM. Would it be better to upgrade my processor or my graphics card for running games on ultra at 1080p?

 

[rvilkman]

GPU for sure. Anything GTX1060/RX480(580) and above.

 

[drkatz42]

you'll get better for your buck upgrading the GPU. although that FX is definitely going to hold FPS back in any current GPU.

 

[geofelt]

A perennial question.
Here is my stock approach:

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend 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.
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. 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 processors 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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[boosted1g]

Well you not going to get Ultra 1080p with either one.

You can upgrade GPU to a GTX 1060 and even with bottleneck be better then a 1050 ti.

Just know that you will need to upgrade to intel or Ryzen to reach your ultra settings goal.