Should I upgrade the CPU and/or M/b?

[mark0709]

Two years ago I built a 'gaming' PC with the following components:
CPU: AMD FX6350, GPU: ASUS R9 270X, RAM: 8GB DDR3, CPU Cooler: Cooler Master 412S, PSU: Corsair CX600, M/b: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0.
I have recently upgraded the GPU to an MSI 1080. All (Steam) games now run at maximum settings. The case is a Fractal Design R5 (ATX) and is fitted with an extra top exhaust fan. The OS is Windows 10 and the monitor is 1080p - which might be upgraded in 1-2 years. My question is: Should I now upgrade the CPU and/or M/b to 'future proof' for the next 3-4 years? And, if yes, what to?

 

[Guest]

That CPU will bottleneck your 1080 significantly.

 

[mark0709]

That CPU will bottleneck your 1080 significantly.

I realise that, but is it worth spending about DKr5000 ($500, £550) to upgrade?

 

[Guest]

That depends on you.

Are you satisfied with your current performance?
Are you okay that your $650 card is being limited?

Also for US prices, an i5+mobo combo would be around 300$ but that could very well be different for you.

 

[mark0709]

That depends on you.

Are you satisfied with your current performance?
Are you okay that your $650 card is being limited?

Also for US prices, an i5+mobo combo would be around 300$ but that could very well be different for you.

Everything is fine for now, but next year and year after that - I read that true multi-core gaming will arrive soon. While I could upgrade to a 'low end' i5, what is the point when I would also have to buy a new M/b? The default CPU would appear be the 6600K this year but next year? Prices for the i5 6600K for me are Dkr1900 ($280) and a M/b at Dkr1000 ($160), I would also need new DDR4 RAM (2x8GB at 3600MHz - the point were the high latency (CL18) is offset by increased speed = DKr1400 ($210)). So, total cost for any meaningful upgrade is about Dkr4300 or about $650 into Denmark. So, is it really worth upgrading to future-proof for the next 3 years. I realise that I might have to 'flip a coin' with any decision, but your input is welcome.

 

[Guest]

That depends on you.

Are you satisfied with your current performance?
Are you okay that your $650 card is being limited?

Also for US prices, an i5+mobo combo would be around 300$ but that could very well be different for you.

Everything is fine for now, but next year and year after that - I read that true multi-core gaming will arrive soon. While I could upgrade to a 'low end' i5, what is the point when I would also have to buy a new M/b? The default CPU would appear be the 6600K this year but next year? Prices for the i5 6600K for me are Dkr1900 ($280) and a M/b at Dkr1000 ($160), I would also need new DDR4 RAM (2x8GB at 3600MHz - the point were the high latency (CL18) is offset by increased speed = DKr1400 ($210)). So, total cost for any meaningful upgrade is about Dkr4300 or about $650 into Denmark. So, is it really worth upgrading to future-proof for the next 3 years. I realise that I might have to 'flip a coin' with any decision, but your input is welcome.

The answer is simple, Upgrade when you are no longer satisfied with your computers performance or it is not meeting your requirements. Don't buy components with the intention of future proofing because there is always going to be something newer and better around the corner. Intel is already getting ready to push out their 7th gen Kaby lake chips.

 

[spdragoo]

If your current performance is working for you, then I wouldn't recommend an upgrade just yet. AMD is releasing Zen next year, & Intel will be releasing Cannonlake around the same time, so holding off another 6-12 months to replace your CPU & motherboard will give you a much better selection to choose from.