Making the right choice

[KHCloud]

I've always been a bit of a budget builder, trying to get decent stuff to fit within my tight bank balance.

Currently I'm running:
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3
CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz (8 cores)
Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 103
GPU: AMD HD7870 2GB GDDR5
RAM: Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz XMS3
PSU: 780W (unsure the manufacturer, need to move my case to see it but will get it if the info if needed)
Storage: Seagate 2TB SSHD

I'm looking upgrade, won't be able to buy everything at once so will essentially be getting 1 or 2 pieces at a time, depending on price each, and hopefully using them until I can afford the next part. My aim to have a fully new system by October, December at the latest .... that's the plan anyway

I'm looking at getting the AMD R9 290X, maybe 2 and was initially looking into sticking with AMD CPU too, maybe the FX-9370 or FX-9590, they run on the same socket I currently have, AM3+, so could use them as I purchased instead of waiting for a new mobo,
After doing a bit of reading I learned these CPU's run extremely hot and would require water cooling, so I figure I'll just grab a H100i closed loop, can get that for under £100.

I'm a huge gamer so looking to get the best bang for my buck and don't mind if I need to save a little extra to get something that is actually worth it.

My question is, would I be better switching to an intel board? maybe getting an i7-4930K? Don't think I could afford the i7-7960X, maybe I should go to the next level with the i7-5xxx series?
But then I'm looking at the more expensive DDR4 and would need to buy RAM, mobo and CPU and maybe cooling (although my current can fit onto intel boards too) before being able to use any of it.
If I get an intel board should I then go for NVidia cards? I like the power/price balance of AMD cards lol?
So much uncertainty.

I'm looking for recommendations on which parts to buy and what the best order of purchase is.

Any help on this is much appreciated.

 

[thx1138v2]

A lot of new products can come out between now and December and the prices on the ones that are currently on the market will come down when the new products are released. So it's best to just save your money until you have enough to build an entire system and then decide, based on the current prices at that time, what to use in your new build.

The problem with upgrading a high end system intermittently is that the new parts will put heavier loads on the old parts and may shorten their life which would either accelerate the upgrade schedule or, worst case, leave you with a non-functional system for lack of funds.

Patience and budgeting go together.

 

[KHCloud]

of course they do, and it's normally the way I'd go but these days if I try to save enough for an entire build the cash ultimately gets spent on something "more important" like taking the kids away for a few days or wife want a new "insert flavour of the month here", currently she wants a 2nd chihuahua .... yes a 2nd ...

Thus I am left with upgrade as I go, I'm just unsure where to start given my current build, I was thinking CPU, I think that's the weakest part of my build, but am I best to switch to an intel board, is now the right time to go DDR4? I'm just a bit lost haha.