Time for an upgrade.

[Bavvh]

I built this computer a couple of years ago, and it's time to update it a little. I've discovered a love of game streaming, and I need a bit more bang to do it better. I'm seeing some FPS issues, especially in graphics heavy games. Having OBS open, Skype open, games, etc. puts too much of a drain on it. Specs below. Nothing is overclocked. I'm still new to tinkering, and the last time I tried to overclock the GPU, strange things happened.

Here's what is currently in use, with two monitors. What upgrades will give the most performance boost?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($257.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($132.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Pro OEM (64-bit)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($141.30 @ Amazon)
Total: $761.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-25 12:39 EST-0500

 

[cdabc123]

you need a new gpu

 

[Graptik]

What's the budget?

 

[WildCard999]

New GPU and you should switch your i5 to a Xeon (4C8T), that will help alot with the games/Skype/OBS.

 

[Wisecracker]

Save your money and wait 6 months for a new GPU.

 

[Anarkie13]

I'd up the GPU to a R9 390 (or 390X), the added RAM will assist in the additional tasks of streaming.

 

[Bavvh]

What's the budget?

$500ish. I can go a little higher if need be.

 

[Bavvh]

New GPU and you should switch your i5 to a Xeon (4C8T), that will help alot with the games/Skype/OBS.

Will that also involve a new motherboard? I don't know how far down the rabbit hole I want to go here.

 

[Bavvh]

Save your money and wait 6 months for a new GPU.

That's reasonable. Is there anything particularly exciting that's coming out?

 

[Graptik]

What's the budget?

$500ish. I can go a little higher if need be.

In that case, the first thing I would recommend upgrading is the GPU to something like a GTX 970, which will allow you to get very high frame rates at 1080p, whilst doing the streaming and multi-tasking you mentioned. Your CPU is fine and won't bottleneck the 970. Use task manager to see how much RAM you are using when you are doing your usual activities, and if you are near reaching 8GB, then it might be worthwhile to add another 8GB.

 

[WildCard999]

New GPU and you should switch your i5 to a Xeon (4C8T), that will help alot with the games/Skype/OBS.

Will that also involve a new motherboard? I don't know how far down the rabbit hole I want to go here.

No new MB, just make sure BIOS is up to date. The price goes above $500 but has $30 worth of MIR.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($274.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $502.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-25 13:54 EST-0500

Another option is switching your MB to a Z97 (or Z87) and overclocking your CPU for better performance but the Xeon is better for multi-tasking.

 

[logainofhades]

I agree on the Xeon/390 approach. I wouldn't bother with a new board, and overclocking.

 

[Wisecracker]

That's reasonable. Is there anything particularly exciting that's coming out?

New GPUs on 14/16nm from both AMD & nVidia, with HBM (& in the case of AMD, HBM2) 'stacked' memory.

With $500 you will likely be able to snag not only a video card that will thump the GTX 970 or R9 390, but a nice 1440p monitor to boot.

 

[Bavvh]

Awesome answers, thanks I think I'm going to do both, and wait 6 months to upgrade with a new GPU and try out the Xeon CPU.