Help me choose what to upgrade first

Nov 15, 2018
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Hey guys! So I just wanted your opinions on whether I should upgrade my CPU or GPU first. I only have money to upgrade 1 for now.

Here are my specs:
CPU: i5-3470
GPU: GTX 960 2GB
Motherboard: H61M-E
PSU: 600w
RAM: 8GB

I wanted to increase the overall performancr of my PC as I will only use this mostly for gaming. I play DOTA 2 and CS:GO but I’ll be open to play other games in the future. So, in the long run, is it better to upgrade my CPU (looking to upgrade it to an i5-8400) or should I upgrade my GPU? I’m looking to increase my FPS while gaming and just overall smoothness of the PC in general. Right now, my set-up produces about 95-110 fps on high settings DOTA, but I wish to have more.

Any suggestion guys? Thanks.
 
Solution
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.
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...
Nov 15, 2018
16
0
10


I have enough money to replace my motherboard and buy new RAM. So should I buy that instead along with the new CPU?
 
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.
------------------------------------------------------------
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/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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

If you decide on a cpu upgrade, here is what is supported on your motherboard:
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/H61ME/HelpDesk_CPU/
The strongest will be a i7-7700K

If you decide on graphics, a quality 600w psu will run any modern graphics card.
Something like a GTX1060/70 might be appropriate.
 
Solution
Nov 15, 2018
16
0
10


Did that. No one has replied yet. But you do think that I should change my set-up aka my motherboard, CPU and RAM? Because I’m not planning to replace my PSU and case because they are relatively new.