Upgrade CPU or GPU

[Super Slick]

Hey, before I begin, I would just like to put my current specs:
CPU: Amd FX-8350
GPU: GTX 780 Ti
RAM: 16Gb 1866Mhz
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme4
HDD: 2Tb 7200RPM
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 250GB
PSU: 750W
Monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG279Q

So anyway, I have experienced quite low FPS after upgrading to a 1440p monitor, and I thought I should save up for a GTX 1080, however I have realised that my CPU is now pretty outdated and I should really upgrade my CPU to an i7 6700k and any mobo.

So basically, upgrade 780Ti to 1080, or fx 8350 to i7 6700k, considering I have a 1440P 144Hz screen.

 

[Grugbug]

A new CPU and mobo will help more than a new GPU.
A new GPU will be crippled by your current CPU.

 

[helpstar]

Clearly CPU and mobo

 

[Tzn]

Go i7 skylake and gtx 1070.

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

If you want to get close to 144hz, then you need to replace the CPU, motherboard and GPU. The GTX 780 Ti is still a great card but it can't handle 2560x1440 144hz without some major compromises.

An i5 6500, H170 motherboard and GTX 1070 would be my recommendation. Even then, expect to make some sacrifices to achieve 144hz.

 

[Super Slick]

Hmm, the problem is that I am running a little dry on money as I am a student with no job, I am planning to get a part-time job in a couple of months but that still wouldn't be enough for everything, so if you guys think so, I will probably just get an i7 6700k and a mobo. Also, which mobo should I choose?

 

[Super Slick]

Actually, I was checking my GPU/CPU usage in MSI afterburner, and in most of my games such as Witcher 3 and Ark: Survival Evolved my GPU is maxed out and my CPU hits 60-70%, only in games like CS:GO the CPU is maxed out, any thoughts?

 

[Karadjgne]

Some games are more cpu dependent, some more gpu. Steam games tend to be harder hitting on cpu so it's natural that cs:go would max out the cpu but not the gpu. Witcher 3 is very heavy on gpu, even more so at higher resolutions/Hz.

What you haven't stated is what speeds that 8350 is running. If it's stock, that's a good chunk of the problem, the fx only really start performing close to intel for single thread performance at @ 4.5GHz or so.

The 780ti is 3Gb. That's going to be a limiting factor in 1440p 144Hz with some games. No way around that.

In order to really get usage from 1440p 144Hz, the 8350 needs to be replaced, as does the 780ti. Replacing one without the other makes no real difference either direction. An i5 6600k with a gtx 1070 will get decent fps, the i7 6700k roughly the same except in the few games that take good advantage of multiple cores like StarWars Battlefront, BF4 etc.

 

[Super Slick]

Some games are more cpu dependent, some more gpu. Steam games tend to be harder hitting on cpu so it's natural that cs:go would max out the cpu but not the gpu. Witcher 3 is very heavy on gpu, even more so at higher resolutions/Hz.

What you haven't stated is what speeds that 8350 is running. If it's stock, that's a good chunk of the problem, the fx only really start performing close to intel for single thread performance at @ 4.5GHz or so.

The 780ti is 3Gb. That's going to be a limiting factor in 1440p 144Hz with some games. No way around that.

In order to really get usage from 1440p 144Hz, the 8350 needs to be replaced, as does the 780ti. Replacing one without the other makes no real difference either direction. An i5 6600k with a gtx 1070 will get decent fps, the i7 6700k roughly the same except in the few games that take good advantage of multiple cores like StarWars Battlefront, BF4 etc.

Thank you for the detailed response, I will take your advice, but I am running a little low on money meaning I have to get one before the other, possibly even by a few months. So my final question is, what do I get first?

 

[Karadjgne]

Mobo and cpu. Those prices aren't going to change any other than sales. Currently only the gtx 1080 in its reference/founders edition for has hit the shelves. The 1070 due to be released within the month, again probably in reference/founders edition form. Given a few months, nvidia partners will be released to open up the market on their own OC cards, so prices are going to be going nuts. EVGA has already set a 1080 for release at $661 vrs the prior release of $699 etc.