Upgrade advise (GPU, Monitor, or build new system)?

[rdawise]

Hello all!

So I think I am finally ready to upgrade my system, but am wondering if building a brand new PC is really worth it. I think I have come to either upgrading my GPU ( Radeon 7870) or my monitor (Gateway FHX2201QV).

My Current Setup:
Computer
Model : MSI MS-7758
Serial Number : To be fille***********
Chassis : MSI Desktop
Mainboard : MSI Z77A-G41 (MS-7758)
Serial Number : To be fille***********
BIOS : AMI (OEM) V2.13 03/07/2014
Intel vPro : 8.00.10.1464
Total Memory : 8GB DIMM DDR3

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz (4C 3.3GHz, 3.3GHz IMC, 4x 256kB L2, 6MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC LGA1155

Chipset
Memory Controller : MSI Core (Ivy Bridge) DRAM Controller 100MHz, 2x 4GB DIMM DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Patriot Memory 1600 CL9 Series 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-12800U DDR3-1600 (9-9-9-24 5-39-12-6)
Memory Module : Patriot Memory 1600 CL9 Series 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-12800U DDR3-1600 (9-9-9-24 5-39-12-6)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : ACR FHX2201QV
(1920x1080, 21.7")
Video Adapter : AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series (20CU 1280SP SM5.0 1GHz, 2GB DDR5 4.8GHz 256-bit, PCIe 3.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
OpenCL GP Processor : AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series (1280SP 20C 1GHz, 2GB DDR5 4.8GHz 256-bit)
Compute Shader Processor : AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series (1280SP 20C 1GHz, 2GB DDR5 4.8GHz 256-bit)

Storage Devices
PLEXTOR PX-128M5S (128GB, SATA600, SSD) : 119GB (C)
PLEXTOR PX-128M5Pro (128GB, SATA600, SSD) : 119GB (D)
Seagate ST1000NM0033-9ZM173 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 932GB (E)
HL-DT-ST BDDVDRW UH12NS30 (SATA150, BD-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (F)
ASUS DRW-24B1ST c (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (G)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C) : 119GB (NTFS) @ PLEXTOR PX-128M5S (128GB, SATA600, SSD)
Second Drive (D) : 119GB (NTFS) @ PLEXTOR PX-128M5Pro (128GB, SATA600, SSD)
HDD Drive (E) : 932GB (NTFS) @ Seagate ST1000NM0033-9ZM173 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Optical Drive (F) : N/A @ HL-DT-ST BDDVDRW UH12NS30 (SATA150, BD-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Optical Drive (G) : N/A @ ASUS DRW-24B1ST c (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home 6.01.7601 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 7.4


Let me know your thoughts. Should I update GPU, Monitor, or build new PC? If I update my GPU, will my CPU hold me back?

 

[marcello_2]

Well the first thing I noticed from your post is that you never really gave a reason why you wanted to upgrade. If you don't really have a real concrete reason you're going to have a higher chance of feeling buyers remorse. I say once you figure out why then you can start thinking about what you want to upgrade and go into the logistics. Second you didn't put a budget. This may not be a big deal for you, but as a college student that is usually the first thing I work out then I work around that. I really hope this helps you make a blueprint for your upgrade path.

 

[rdawise]

Thanks for your replay marcello_2,

The main reason I want to upgrade (other than "I want a shiny new toy"), is that I feel I'm missing out on some of the newer visual goodies that come with upgrading the GPU or monitor. For example, my GPU was released around 2011*, which is ancient by tech standards. Would it be worth it to go to an RX 470, 480, etc.? I play mainly RPGS and MMOs (Skyrim and WOW still in my main rotation but adding others on Steam).

As for the monitor, it is "ancient" as well by tech standards (for example no HDMI and refresh rate capped at 60hz). Would getting a monitor with at least a 75hz refresh rate or HDMI/Display port breathe new life to my gaming/video visuals (youtube and blurays).

As for for budget, if the advice is to build a new system them it is of no concern as I would be starting for scratch and would plan that out. If just GPU or monitor then up to $350.

 

[marcello_2]

Thanks for your replay marcello_2,

The main reason I want to upgrade (other than "I want a shiny new toy"), is that I feel I'm missing out on some of the newer visual goodies that come with upgrading the GPU or monitor. For example, my GPU was released around 2011*, which is ancient by tech standards. Would it be worth it to go to an RX 470, 480, etc.? I play mainly RPGS and MMOs (Skyrim and WOW still in my main rotation but adding others on Steam).

As for the monitor, it is "ancient" as well by tech standards (for example no HDMI and refresh rate capped at 60hz). Would getting a monitor with at least a 75hz refresh rate or HDMI/Display port breathe new life to my gaming/video visuals (youtube and blurays).

As for for budget, if the advice is to build a new system them it is of no concern as I would be starting for scratch and would plan that out. If just GPU or monitor then up to $350.

So from what it looks like I don't think getting a new gpu will make much of a difference for you. You said you still play game like skyrim, which was also released in 2011. I say go for a new nice monitor then see if you're going to start playing games that demand more gpu horsepower. Another good way to make sure you don't need to ungrade your gpu is seeing if it's bottlenecking your system. You can download msi afterburner and find out how to use it. It tells you how hard your components are running while in game. If your gpu is hitting anything above 90-95% it might be time to upgrade.