GTX 960 + i5 3570k - Can I upgrade either CPU or GPU for 60fps 1080 new games or new comp?

[Aplumb]

Basically, I want to be able to play new games with 60fps (like Doom) on highest settings. Can i get away with just upgrading the CPU or graphics card or is it more a case of a new PC is needed? Also have motherboard: Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H

Also, what GPUs or CPUs would you suggest?

Thanks

 

[Dragos Manea]

Yes, you only need to upgrade the gpu, your cpu can handle any game at 60+ fps, go for a gtx 1070 or if you have money a gtx 1080. Please post the entire build, including present videocard, psu, everything.

 

[Aplumb]

i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40Ghz 3.80Ghz
16 GB RAM
Corsair CMPSU-650TXM 650W PSU
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H Z77 Motherboard

Did a 3D Mark test and CPU temperature was very hot and taking a lot of stress...

 

[Dragos Manea]

Your psu can handle any single videocard, and also your cpu is good, you need an aftermarket cooler for the cpu (the most popular is cm 212 evo or cm 212X) but be carefull which cooler you choose because you are limited by the max height of your case(from the motehrboard to teh side-panel) and a gtx 1070 or 1080 will suit you perfectly.

 

[RobCrezz]

1060 or rx 480 would be a great upgrade based on your specs.

 

[Aplumb]

I noticed very high temperatures from the CPU when doing a 3D Mark graphics test - could this be causing low FPS? In which case, would getting a cooler be beneficial now?

 

[Dragos Manea]

To keep your cpu temperature below 80, anything over 80 degrees (celsius) will damage your cpu. So if your cpu goes over 80 degrees then buy a cooler too.

 

[dontlistentome]

I noticed very high temperatures from the CPU when doing a 3D Mark graphics test - could this be causing low FPS? In which case, would getting a cooler be beneficial now?

Do you realize you've posted twice in this thread your CPU is getting very hot and neither time did you specify the temps? Don't be afraid to be specific. What might be 'very hot' to you might be 'normal temps' to everyone else, we won't know until you say what the temp is.

 

[Aplumb]

Right you are - the CPU was 100°C and the GPU was 80°C during a 3D Mark Firestrike graphics test. FPS was frequently at around 30 or 20

 

[Dragos Manea]

At that temperature you got throttling, your cpu will never work how it should, buy an aftermarket cooler, lets not say that you could permanently damage the cpu.

 

[Aplumb]

Yikes, and to think I've had it for a few years... :s Could you suggest a good water cooler that would fit in a Antec 302 mid-tower case?

 

[Dragos Manea]

Ok, top side you can put a 140mm cooler so a kraken x41 or corsair h90, or rear you can put a 120mm fan so a kraken x31 or a corsair h80i v2, any of those coolers is enought for your cpu. For any of those coolers be sure that is enought space between motherboard and the fan/cooler. usually a cooler has 30mm and a fan has 25mm so you needa space of 55/60 mm between the metal side and motherboard for the top side or rear you muct have 60mm of clearence (nothing tall or somethign to touch with cooler/radiator.

 

[The Paladin]

Right you are - the CPU was 100°C and the GPU was 80°C during a 3D Mark Firestrike graphics test. FPS was frequently at around 30 or 20

that is too hot, and perfect example of cpu/gpu throttling to prevent meltdown of cpu/gpu.
get a new heatsink for cpu, and before you buy anything I would change heatsink paste on cpu and gpu, (not too thin or thick) and then try again test , temps should be around for cpu/gpu you have 60-75 range.
then test your game FPS again,

so before you go wasting cash on a video card because of overheating, I would fix the issue to confirm you nee to buy a new piece of hardware

 

[Aplumb]

Right you are - the CPU was 100°C and the GPU was 80°C during a 3D Mark Firestrike graphics test. FPS was frequently at around 30 or 20

that is too hot, and perfect example of cpu/gpu throttling to prevent meltdown of cpu/gpu.
get a new heatsink for cpu, and before you buy anything I would change heatsink paste on cpu and gpu, (not too thin or thick) and then try again test , temps should be around for cpu/gpu you have 60-75 range.
then test your game FPS again,

so before you go wasting cash on a video card because of overheating, I would fix the issue to confirm you nee to buy a new piece of hardware

Well, this is gonna sound really stupid, but I either forgot or didn't realise there was a detachable front panel on my case. I found it the other night, opened it, and the 2 fans at the front were caked with dust. This could have something to do with the high temps, lol. I think checking the heatsink paste which could have solidified over the years due to the dust cake cooking in the front case oven is a good idea.

 

[The Paladin]

in my experience as limited has it is on average paste for heatsink should be scraped and changed every 2 years.

 

[Dragos Manea]

in my experience as limited has it is on average paste for heatsink should be scraped and changed every 2 years.

Not really, MX-4 has a 10 years life time, at list on teh package it says that will last at least 10 years.

 

[Aplumb]

Just purchased a Cooler Master 212x to replace my stock fan to help with cooling when gaming (when temperatures go to 100C during fancy graphics). Am just going to use the thermal paste that comes with the Cooler Master. After watching many YouTube videos, am not sure whether to use the dot method to apply the thermal paste or to scrape is across the processor using an old credit card-type thing. Any tips would be appreciate

Also, as a note, realised I actually have a Corsair Obsidian 550d case that can fit a CM 212x and not an Antec 302 (which I think is a bit of a tight squeeze for it)

 

[Dragos Manea]

Yep in thy antec you would not fit an 212x, the cross method is the best because you are sure that is enought paste, if you use the dot method you are not certain that is enought, too much paste is not bad, too little it is.

 

[The Paladin]

Well personally I took my queue from the manufacturer years ago, when you got a cpu with paste and a little scrape stick.
(Antec and few other paste vendors still do this) I apply and spread it over the entire space, I do not se the entire tube of paste to cover the chip. not at all.

the "dot and press it down" is a method use by millions without a problem and so is the apply evenly across the chip and in both situations I have seems cpus overheat, in the dot , people forget to apply gentle pressure in a circle to spread the mound of paste across the chip , and in the spread method I have see too much get squeezed out and over the chip and slip into the die below and ruin a board as well.

how much is good enough or too much... well that's a very good question which can only be answered with a stress test and if it sits cool and pretty
your good 😛

 

[Aplumb]

Installed a CM 212x fan today and ran the 3D Mark Firestrike Test. CPU temp is down from 100C to 55C which is great. Used the dot method for applying the thermal paste as it seemed to be the most used by people. The GTX 960 I use runs at temp 80C which it was doing before the new fan as well.

 

[Dragos Manea]

That is great, you should be fine now. Now if you are not satisfied with the performances you can change teh videocard, as i said before any from gtx 1060 to gtx 1080 will be a very good choice, depending on your budget.