GPU or CPU Upgrade

[JusticeX19]

Hello community, new here. I want to eventually build my first PC but for now ill be upgrading one thing at the time slowly but surely, this is towards more for gaming purposes. If I'm in the right track I want to upgrade my GPU or CPU first. Ive had my eyes on the XFX Double D Radeon 7950 since its been going on sale a few times on newegg, GPU budget $200-250. Additionally, I really want to get a new CPU as well. Im leaning towards the Intel route, CPU Budget 200-250 as well. However if I get a new CPU i would need to buy a new MOBO and a new PC case which would be a really nice sum >.>

I have a 4 year old HP desktop pretty much factory stock. since ill be upgrading one thing at the time I'll just be moving everything to a new case(maybe i should get a new case first?). I Have the following.
AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6ghz
8GB Ram 4x2
750GB HDD
The only aftermarket parts are the PSU: Corsair TX650w and Radeon HD5770 1GB(I bought these parts 3 years ago to play SC2 when it released ^^)

Approximate Purchase Date: Soon

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming > Photoshop > Surfing the Web

Do you need to buy OS: No

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[FlyingHelmet-1373206]

Geforce GTX 760. Awesome card. Beats the 7950 (the extra VRAM doesn't matter at 1080p).
So hing like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130953&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[lpedraja2002]

I would just upgrade the GPU since if you upgrade the CPU you'll also have to shell out for DDR3 RAM, MOBO, etc. That cpu will bottleneck a GPU like GTX670 but you should still see increased performance in games. IF I were you I would honestly wait and just keep saving and when you get around $500 or so buy whatever is best at that current time since it will probably be better than what's available now or cheaper.

 

[endeavour37a]

Buy the best you can afford, the 760 would be my choice over a 7950 right now. AMD is coming out with new series in a few weeks, the 7950 will be replaced with a R9-280 I think, and Nvidia will be out with a 750Ti at about the same time. If you could wait I think you could buy more performance with the same money.

The 750Ti will replace the 660 with a few changes for about the same price, so maybe that could save you some money and get you the performance you want. Some of the changes are clocks (980/1032 for 660 vs 1033/1098 for 750), ROPs will be increased to 32 vs 24 and the memory bus will go from 192bit to 256bits. My guess is under $200 and will blow the socks off a 7950.

But the 280 will be a very good card also in a few weeks with the Hawaii PRO GPU (7950 has a Tahiti PRO). It should have a good price also.

If your upgrading with a new graphics card with plans of a new CPU in the future it is good to bottle neck your old CPU, that is the whole point, right?