Possible Upgrades for Current Gaming PC?

[Wind Walker]

With my Current System: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Windwalker156/saved/#view=n2Nbt6

I play current games and handle 3D modeling programs relatively well. However, with 2016 coming up, I want to essentially future-proof it by giving it some upgrades. I'm mainly concerned with the GPU, however I've been told my CPU and Mobo could use an upgrade.

1) I've made a choice on either a GTX 960 2gb/4gb or a GTX 970 4gb, but with a $100 difference, I'm not sure the 970 is entirely necessary. I've seen the benchmark tests, but as someone new to PC building, I don't fully understand what the numbers mean in terms of performance. I want my final choice to run Planetside 2, EVE: Valkyrie, and Guild Wars 2 at high to ultra graphics with at least 45+ fps (I place an FPS cap at 60), and also be able to handle Autodesk Maya and Photoshop (VUE is also a possibility).

2) I have no noticable trouble with my Motherboard and CPU as-is, but I'm not so sure if it'll stay that way in the coming year, let alone with upcoming upgrades and VR. I've heard that AMD's 8 cores aren't as useful as they sound due to many programs not using them all, and that the motherboard is sub-par compared to others. so IF I need to change these two, what would be a solid choice?

I want to keep things under $500, but I'll also most likely buy them over a 3-5 month span.

UPDATE: Is Gigabyte a good manufacturer when it comes to the 960 2gb? It seems to be the only one under 230mm. And I found a Corsair CX 750W for $50. Will that do as a replacement PSU?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

The CPU is drawing a bit much power for that motherboard, for my taste. That's not a motherboard I'd want to run a 125W CPU on.

The CPU you have is about the top of the food chain, there is not much of an UP from there and if you change the motherboard, you will likely need a new OS. You old OS is keyed to the motherboard and OEM OSs are not usually transferrable.

The gaming limit in your system is your GPU. Upgrading the CPU may help some with non-gaming, but only a GPU upgrade will get you to your gaming needs. Because of your flimsy PSU, you will need to look at NVidia GPUs, all the AMD ones use too much power at their performance level.

You need a better plan. Immediately, you need a GPU update. If you will update your CPU/motherboard within a year, then it changes the GPU recommendation.

For your non-gaming, the FX8320 is a decent CPU.

In the long run you need:

New CPU
New Motherboard
New GPU
New Power supply
New OS (if existing OS cannot be rekeyed)

I'd be looking and GPU/PSU now. The question then becomes when will you do the rest.

Updating your GPU may put more load on your CPU as you try to run things at more intense settings.

 

[Forever Oleg]

1) GTX 960 2GB or R9 380 4GB will be the two most viable choices for what you do now. If you want to be future proof regarding 1080p gaming, you can go GTX 970 or wait until Pascal next year.
2) The FX 8-core is good for enthusiasts who do a lot of rendering, editing, streaming, and a lot of multi-tasking. It also follows closely after the i5's in multi-threaded games. The only REAL upgrade would be an i7 which I don't think you can afford now and I don't think it's necessary at all.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

1) GTX 960 2GB or R9 380 4GB will be the two most viable choices for what you do now. If you want to be future proof regarding 1080p gaming, you can go GTX 970 or wait until Pascal next year.
2) The FX 8-core is good for enthusiasts who do a lot of rendering, editing, streaming, and a lot of multi-tasking. It also follows closely after the i5's in multi-threaded games. The only REAL upgrade would be an i7 which I don't think you can afford now and I don't think it's necessary at all.

The OP can't get a 380 with that 400W Cougar PSU.

 

[Forever Oleg]

1) GTX 960 2GB or R9 380 4GB will be the two most viable choices for what you do now. If you want to be future proof regarding 1080p gaming, you can go GTX 970 or wait until Pascal next year.
2) The FX 8-core is good for enthusiasts who do a lot of rendering, editing, streaming, and a lot of multi-tasking. It also follows closely after the i5's in multi-threaded games. The only REAL upgrade would be an i7 which I don't think you can afford now and I don't think it's necessary at all.

The OP can't get a 380 with that 400W Cougar PSU.

PSU change.

 

[Wind Walker]

1) GTX 960 2GB or R9 380 4GB will be the two most viable choices for what you do now. If you want to be future proof regarding 1080p gaming, you can go GTX 970 or wait until Pascal next year.
2) The FX 8-core is good for enthusiasts who do a lot of rendering, editing, streaming, and a lot of multi-tasking. It also follows closely after the i5's in multi-threaded games. The only REAL upgrade would be an i7 which I don't think you can afford now and I don't think it's necessary at all.

The OP can't get a 380 with that 400W Cougar PSU.

I took a closer look at the PSU and did a search. What actually came up instead was: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154020

It didn't show up in the parts list, so I chose the closest thing that the filters left standing. I've updated the OS and PSU accordingly.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

That PSU is no better. Still a dodgy 400W. What I said above still stands.

The most important update is the GPU and you are likely to need a PSU upgrade to run it.