Need help with upgrades

[Matty172]

I built my own computer around 2 years ago, and I feel like it is time for some upgrades.

My Specs:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4460 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti
RAM: 16 GB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (build 9600), 64-bit
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150

Now that I told you my specs, I guess I should tell you why I want to upgrade. I want to upgrade my computer for virtual reality games, yet I have no idea what upgrades to get. I would like to upgrade my processor and my video card, but like I stated previously, I have no idea which to upgrade first and what to upgrade to. If I were to upgrade my processor, I would like to jump up to a Intel i7 or an amd processor that is equivalent to the i7. One more thing to say is that I am willing to spend around $300 for each item.

Any and all help is appreciated!

 

[Matt_150]

I7 4790K for the CPU if you choose to stay with the current generation your motherboard will support and GTX 1060 6GB for the GPU.

 

[weberdarren97]

"or an AMD processor that is equivalent to an i7..." Like what? The i3 6100 runs circles around the FX 8350. APUs are a bad joke in terms of heavy gaming.

Currently, the weakest part of your setup is your graphics card. I'd go to the GTX 1070 if I could.

Depending on your motherboard. I'd suggest either the i5 4690 or the i5 4690K. The i7 has HyperThreading, but most games don't use more than four threads anyways so it doesn't get a chance to show its true colors in games. If you'd be streaming, recording and gaming all at the same time, then the extra threads might come in useful. However, many newer streaming clients use the GPU to encode the stream, so the extra CPU threads maybe won't be very beneficial after all.

 

[weberdarren97]

I7 4790K for the CPU if you choose to stay with the current generation your motherboard will support and GTX 1060 6GB for the GPU.

OP didn't list a motherboard. How do you know it can handle unlocked CPUs. If not, why spend the extra money for an unlocked CPU?

OP, what is your motherboard?

 

[IvelNostrebor]

First of all you NEED to make sure your power supply can handle the upgrades. Then if you are wanting to run VR I would recommend upgrading your graphics card to a 1060 or better. Then for your cpu you can upgrade to a Intel Core i7-4790.

 

[Matt_150]

Just noticed the H97 Mobo so i7 4790 or i5 4690.

 

[Matty172]

"OP didn't list a motherboard" As soon as I realized that I forgot to put what motherboard I had I immediately went back on and put it in. My motherboard is the ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150.

 

[weberdarren97]

"OP didn't list a motherboard" As soon as I realized that I forgot to put what motherboard I had I immediately went back on and put it in. My motherboard is the ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150.

Thank you for taking the time to provide this info. This will help us try to figure out what you need and will also help us make sure you don't waste money on an unlocked CPU because the H97 chipset can't fully utilize everything it has to offer.

I can't believe I forgot to ask about the power supply. That's usually the first thing I ask. What is the make and model of your power supply? Do note that simply typing EVGA 550w is not enough information. Something like EVGA G2 550 would be much more helpful.

I see that you have a $600 budget for the upgrades. Have you set aside money for the VR headset itself?

 

[Matty172]

First of all you NEED to make sure your power supply can handle the upgrades. Then if you are wanting to run VR I would recommend upgrading your graphics card to a 1060 or better. Then for your cpu you can upgrade to a Intel Core i7-4790.

I have an EVGA 500W power supply, Would that be enough or would I have to upgrade to a 750W or a 1000W?

I really don't have a problem with upgrading different parts of my computer if that is what I need to do. I have been wanting to upgrade it for a while now, I just don't know what I should be prioritizing.

 

[weberdarren97]

First of all you NEED to make sure your power supply can handle the upgrades. Then if you are wanting to run VR I would recommend upgrading your graphics card to a 1060 or better. Then for your cpu you can upgrade to a Intel Core i7-4790.

I have an EVGA 500W power supply, Would that be enough or would I have to upgrade to a 750W or a 1000W?

I really don't have a problem with upgrading different parts of my computer if that is what I need to do. I have been wanting to upgrade it for a while now, I just don't know what I should be prioritizing.

What did I just say? Something about needing to know the specific model... I can't tell you if your current CPU will cut it without knowing the specific model. EVGA makes plenty of 500w power supplies, some of which are great and others will kill your system if you try to run dedicated graphics off of them.

 

[Matty172]

First of all you NEED to make sure your power supply can handle the upgrades. Then if you are wanting to run VR I would recommend upgrading your graphics card to a 1060 or better. Then for your cpu you can upgrade to a Intel Core i7-4790.

I have an EVGA 500W power supply, Would that be enough or would I have to upgrade to a 750W or a 1000W?

I really don't have a problem with upgrading different parts of my computer if that is what I need to do. I have been wanting to upgrade it for a while now, I just don't know what I should be prioritizing.

What did I just say? Something about needing to know the specific model... I can't tell you if your current CPU will cut it without knowing the specific model. EVGA makes plenty of 500w power supplies, some of which are great and others will kill your system if you try to run dedicated graphics off of them.

I am sorry for the miscommunication as I started to type the response before you asked for the specific power supply. I opened up my computer and took a look at the power supply. The power supply itself says EVGA 500W 80Plus and the P/N is 100-W1-0500

 

[weberdarren97]

For some reason I can't respond to your reply.

Anyways, that's not a very good power supply. It will run your new components, but I recommend replacing it with a higher quality model within a year.