GPU vs CPU vs ISP

[shelbyedmonds]

My current machine is a Dell XPS 8500
GeForce GT 640
Intel Core i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
12 GB RAM
Windows 8

This has been my first big boy machine in respects to what I have previously owned.
I want to get in to quality streams and I was curious what would be my best route to upgrade my system. Also, what are my options for ISP. Can I do anything to increase how efficently I am using the bandwidth being sent to my house?

Hopefully this isn't too much of a long-winded-posted. I apologize in advance as this is only my second tomshardware post.

Edit: I will be streaming games like WoW and LoL.

 

[Calnin]

Define quality? like 1080p or what? If it is 1080p, you might want to get a new gpu and you should have a good upload speed. Your cpu is fine for streaming.

 

[photonboy]

Hi,
1) Your network bandwidth is mainly throttled by your NETWORK PROVIDER, according to your plan.

2) 10/100 ROUTERS can push about 12MBytes/second through the Ethernet wires (more than enough for a BluRay movie) through your LOCAL connection between devices.

3) Gigabit ROUTERS can push roughly 10x that, which only matters when copying large files between PC's, or a device like the WDMYCLOUD (I get 60MBytes/second)

4) Your PC hardware has little to do with connection speeds aside from the NETWORK chip on the motherboard (or addon card) and that works the same as the Router.

5) WIRELESS (Wi-Fi) connections are generally between 2MB/second and 10MBytes/second. On the low-end not enough for high-quality video to stream locally between devices.

6) NETFLIX currently has a maximum of 3GB per hour. Thus, your ISP needs to provide at least that if you want the best quality. It's an AVERAGE thus if you calculate that you need to add on a little more.

I believe it works out to approximately 1MByte/second (1024KB/second) but you might have to convert that if KiloBITS is used. Multiply KB x8 to get Kb.

7) If you GAME at all, I suggest getting a better graphics card. You've got a pretty nice CPU, plenty of memory, and a fairly low-end graphics card.

8) I use START8 with Windows 8 ($5) to avoid the new interface. It has settings to disable the Charms Bar, boot to desktop etc.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The ISP is completely based on where you live and what companies provide services there. Cable, DSL or fiber all will offer various speed tiers so go with whatever the fastest speed you can get within your budget.

CPU is fine. GT 640 is a lower end card. You want to max games out at 1920 x 1080 upgrade to an R9 280X or GTX 770 or better. Once again you are only limited by budget. You probably will need a new power supply with any graphics upgrade.

 

[photonboy]

Update:
*Wait, are you planning on using ONLIVE or some similar service that STREAMS the game to your machine?

If so:
1. The bandwidth requirement is very HIGH (see the site for recommendations) though you can try it for FREE. Your ISP may not have a plan good enough.

2. Your ROUTER would be adequate via Ethernet, but you'd need a pretty good Router for wi-fi (and a good wireless card on the PC as well).

3. You'll have to pay for the extra bandwidth if you go over your cap unless you have an expensive, unlimited plan.

4. ****Even if your network provider could give you enough BANDWIDTH the costs for that would likely add up to MORE than getting a good graphics card. At $20 more per month that's $240 a year which roughly buys a GTX760 card, or at two years almost a GTX780.

It's probably at least 10 GB per hour to stream games that look okay. Netflix uses 3GB per hour but that's based on video no more than 30Hz so you need to double that for 60Hz games to 6GB. However, even that good quality won't be acceptable for games. It's fine for video, but your TEXT and HUD elements won't look sharp.

If you played for 15 hours a week, plus some network and possibly Netflix that could add up to 800GB per month!

There's plenty of inexpensive games on STEAM as well which would cost you less with smart shopping than using the ONLIVE or other streaming service.

I got Mass Effect #1 for $5 on sale, Oblivion GOTY with all DLC a long time ago for $15.

 

[photonboy]

https://support.onlive.com/entries/22264983-computer-and-internet-requirements-for-pc-mac

- $10 per month for Onlive.

- Recommend at least 5mbps, which seems odd as I meet that and the game was so blurry it was shocking.

- also sent at 1280x720 (not sure if you can do better with a better connection)

- probably sent at 30FPS as well but I'm guessing as my experience was pretty sluggish

I should stop talking now and go to bed. Long story short, if you're considering this kind of service then don't. Get a good graphics card like a GTX770 (probably need a better power supply) and shop for Steam games. You'll pay for that hardware as I said earlier and have a far better experience with a dedicated setup.

 

[shelbyedmonds]

I woke up to a ton of helpful answers! Thank you everyone!
So I'll have to contact version to see what we can do.

So if upgrading my GPU is my best option can I get an upgrade for 200$ that is worth it? Or am I better of saving my money for a high ender card. I like to futureproof. I don't want to spend money on something that is already on it's what out of the door. Also, my power supply, will it need to be upgraded to handle a better GPU?

Edit: I am currently using OBS to stream. However I'm open to better suggestions.
p.s I plan on stream to twitch.tv/youtube

 

[Deleted member 217926]

If $200 is your total budget I would wait and save money. A quality power supply will be in the $50-$75 range so that only leaves enough for a small graphics upgrade. Optimally if you are playing at 1920 x 1080 you will want to spend around $300 on the card and roughly $75 on a good power supply.

 

[shelbyedmonds]

Any brands you recommend?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Power supply or graphics card?

 

[photonboy]

Budget: I also recommend WAITING so you can afford something like a GTX770 (about $340) with good customer reviews, like the MSI N770 TF or similar Gigabyte, Asus or EVGA.

The power supply will cost roughly $60 to $100 varying by quality and I'm pretty sure you'll need a better one based on your description of your PC.

*So with TAX, Shipping you're looking at roughly $500 for a fairly good card and Power Supply.

*STREAMING:
NVidia can record 1080p 60Hz video with little impact on gaming. The only solution I know of that does similar quality with minimal system impact does so by just transferring the RAW video which takes up massive drive space.

SHADOWPLAY is the tool (GTX600/700 series cards): http://www.geforce.com/geforce-experience/shadowplay

Future-proofing: There really isn't such a thing. However, MOST games will run at the highest quality, or near-highest on a GTX770 and even games like Crysis 3 look great after tweaking while still running at 60FPS.

A GTX760 is cheaper, but you'll require a lot more tweaking to maintain a good frame rate, and quality will drop. The reverse applies to a GTX780 but they are $500+.

 

[photonboy]

Streaming to Twitch via Shadowplay: http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/articles/shadowplay-twitch-streaming

I don't recommend using the GeForce Experience auto settings. This just sets your game settings to the optimal balance at 40FPS. I recommend optimizing games to run above 60FPS 90% of the time when VSYNC is OFF, then turn VSYNC ON again to stay synched to 60FPS.

When streaming to Twitch the approx. 5% impact (varies) by using the NVENC encoder on the graphics cards might not drop you below 60FPS and change your game experience.

I hope this makes sense, if not then read about VSYNC more.