Need Advice on Upgrading Home Built System

[Elec749]

I asked for advice on this forum when building my first pc in 2011 and received very good references when asking about which parts fit best. So I bought everything that was recommended and that build has been working well until about a month ago. I only use the computer for gaming and try to keep all the drivers, bios, etc up to date. Here is my current build.

Processor: Intel i5-2500K, 3.30 GHz, 6 Mb Cache, LGA 1155
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3
Memory: G. Skill Ripjaws DDR2-1600 16Gb
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
PS: OCZ ZT Series 650W Modular, Bronze Certified
HDD1: Samsung EVO 500Gb SSD
HDD2: Samsung EVO 250Gb SSD
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
Case: Rosewill Blackhawk with 7 fans
Mouse: Razer Naga
Keyboard: Razer Deathadder
Monitor: Samsung S24D300H
Windows 7 Professional

Would upgrading the CPU/Mobo give me better framerate in 1080p? I'm currently running about 60 fps in games like Elder Scrolls Online and Witcher 3.

 

[Hamperking68]

The CPU and motherboard are solid, but they are slowing aging and therefore falling behind.

Everything else is still decent, I would focus on replacing the CPU/MOBO/RAM for better performance.

It might also be handy to think about future-proofing when getting a new CPU so you don't need to purchase another one for sometime.

 

[gondo]

Well your GTX 980 is still a decent card. A new CPU/Motherboard/RAM would speed up the entire process and give a more modern system. Depending on the game, fps could jump. For CPU intensive games it could climb as much as 20fps, but if your monitor can only support 60 fps getting more than that is useless.

Personally I'd be looking at a new CPU, Motherboard, and RAM. The new AMD 1600X coming out in a few weeks looks great, overclockable, and very well priced. I'd wait for that to come out.

Another thing I'd be looking at is a 144Hz SYNC enabled monitor such as a GSync or AMD Adaptive Sync. The 144Hz allows you to take advantage of anything over 60Hz, and the sync allows you to get no missed frames, tearing, jitters, etc... at any framerate. And with a sync monitor you don't need to enable v-sync in game so you reduce input lag.

Your video card can carry you through for a while. This summer AMD is releasing their higher end video cards so I'd wait to see what they have in store. Also an AMD adaptive sync monitor is more common and cheaper than an NVidia GSync equipped monitor. That saves money, then wait till the summer to pick up a video card that can run it. A 1440p 27" monitor would be an upgrade in screen real esate to improve your gaming experience.

 

[Chugalug_]

Your entire system is still very relevant, especially if you OC'd the i5.
You might consider a 144hz 1080p monitor upgrade, but apart from that you're all good.

 

[Elec749]

I've never tried OC'ing any hardware to date. I'm afraid that I will mess something up and fry the hardware. I'm partial to Intel as I have always ran their CPU's. What Intel CPU would be equivalent to the AMD 1600X? And what type of motherboard/RAM would work well with that?

Going to look into the 144Hz monitor.

 

[Hamperking68]

The I5 7500K and any Suiting motherboard will be DDR4

 

[gondo]

The new Intel CPUs are the 7000 series. An I5 is a great value for performance. The supporting motherboards use the 200 series chipsets.

A 144Hz Sync monitor makes for a nice experience. Even a 24" 1080p 144Hz GSync would do well with your video card.

 

[Elec749]

After reading the replies from you kind folks, I've found a new cpu/mobo/ram that hopefully will be good for a few years to come. And I managed to stay right around my budget of $600. I also looked into a monitor, but that will have to wait a couple months until I can afford more upgrades.

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Bluearc7628/saved/M4JTWZ

 

[Elec749]

The case was just hard to pass up. My Blackhawk is a nice case, but I have had some cooling issues with it in the past and with the new parts, I'd rather not have any issues again.

 

[gondo]

If you don't want to overclock you could get an I7 7700 for $308. No heatsink required so the coolermaster not required. Your Rosewill would work just fine and cooling should not be an issue.

As long as your case fans are installed properly you should be fine. More fans as intake up front and less fans as exhaust on the top rear. For example, 2 fans up front as intake, and only 1 rear fan. That gives more intake air as exhaust for positive air pressure to keep dust out. If you have too much exhaust you just suck dust in through all the cracks and screw up airflow and cooling can be worse. Also note the video card exhaust air and so does the power supply so you don't need much fans as exhaust. Bring cool in the lower front, the video card will draw that air and so will the power supply. If you stick 3 fans up top exhausting, it'll suck all the cool air and your video card and CPU won't be able to get any. Loading up a case with fans isn't always a good idea. Proper airflow is more important.

This is just 1 alternative to get you an I7 as opposed to an I5 which would be faster. If you want to overclock get the k version of the I7 and skip the case. The Rosewill Blackhawk is a decent case with great cooling and there is no need for the NZXT.

 

[Elec749]

I have a time frame to buy at around 1 month. I appreciate all the helpful information you folks have provided. I have a good idea of what components I need to focus on, but I'm still undecided on the CPU. I just have to research that more so i get the best bang for the buck.