Should I get a better cpu or gpu?

EfoDom

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Nov 6, 2016
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I'm building a gaming pc in a month. First I wanted to get a MSI GeForce GTX 1060 3GT OC and an Intel Core i3-7100 with 8gb DDR4 ram. I'm kind of on budget so I'm wondering whether I should get a 6gb gtx 1060 or a quad core cpu (socket 1151) Intel Core i5-7400 or INTEL Core i5-6400. Or maybe an i5 cpu that's socket is 1150? I will mostly play in 1080p games like gta 5, battlefield 1, maybe new red dead redemption. I'll also watch youtube videos, sometimes record my gameplay, web browsing, skype during gaming. Since I'm not going to use it only for gaming I would like to know what to get - a better cpu or gpu. Thank you in advance.
 

Ditt44

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What is your budget?

GPU: The 6GB version is the best option. 3Gb even today, is being taxed. In the future you will need more so don't skimp now. Ideally, a 1070 is more future proof if you can afford it or wait until you can.

CPU: Tougher choice as to your levels of use of each app etc. A Ryzen 1600 or 1500x might be a good spot for you, but you need a new motherboard and RAM to go along with that. Generally the AMD chips are going to score better for multi-tasking but without a budget it's hard to suggest clear options.
 

CRO5513Y

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Agreed with above, 3GB is gonna start cutting it for most modern games at settings above Medium. If you can't afford a 6GB 1060 go with an RX 480 4GB it should be priced around the 1060 3GB and generally outperforms it with a better amount of VRAM too.

That said, i believe getting the i5 7500 would be the best option when paired with a RX 480 4GB, it'll be a solid Gaming build and allow you to have great performance in workstation and other non-Gaming related tasks (recording too) that benefit from the stronger i5. Ryzen 5 might also be something to consider strongly. Hope this helps :)
 

He hasn't even said what he is currently using. For all we know, he could have an AMD FX-4130 so he'll need a new motherboard regardless.
 

CRO5513Y

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Not relevant.. If you read the OP it says "I'm building a gaming pc in a month". He doesn't already have a CPU or Motherboard yet. I think what @Ditt44 means is he will need to select a different Motherboard as opposed to whatever he already picked out for his current CPU selection of the Intel socket 1151.
 
Ok, this build will maximise every dollar you spend. I don't know if you pay attention to current events but AMD is kicking ass in gaming right now because the frame rate variances from their CPUs and GPUs are amazingly low compared to Intel and nVidia (which makes me wonder why you have them in your head but I digress) and their pricing is, as it has always been, far better. Here's my idea for your ideal build:

CPU: AMD R5-1500X - $190
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113436
Motherboard: MSI B350 Tomahawk - $110
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144018
RAM: G.SKILL FORTIS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666MHz - $65
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232514
$365

Now, for your GTX 1060, 3GB isn't enough these days (I had to retire my Crossfired HD 7970s because of it), trust me. As usual, nVidia is cheaping out on both the performance and the RAM on the card so I cannot in all good conscience as a Tom's Expert recommend it to you. At the same price point, the Radeon RX 480 gives better frame rates, less frame rate variance (smoother frame rates) and offers 8GB of GDDR5 at the $220 mark. Oh yeah, it also gets a boost from DX12 (nVidia DX12 drivers are crap) and a massive boost from Vulkan. So here's the card to round up your system:

Sapphire Radeon RX 480 Nitro Edition 8GB - $220
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202275

Your total is $585 and it will blow the freakin doors off of ANY i5 and GTX 1060 based rig. The 8GB video card will also last a LOT longer than a 3 or 4GB card will.
 

EfoDom

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Thanks for all your suggestions. First of all I'm building a new pc not upgrading one. 2. Ryzens are too expensive for me (cheapest is AMD RYZEN 5 1400 that costs 181 euros) as well as an i5 7500. My budget is 650 euros so I think I'll get a 6gb gtx 1060 (probably MSI GeForce GTX 1060 AERO ITX 6G OC) and unfortunetely I won't have more money for a better cpu so I would go with an i3-7100. The only other option would be a 174 euro i5-7400 with a 3gb gtx 1060.