Upgrade Q: Old vs New, CPU vs GPU

[bruno126745]

So I'd like to upgrade either my CPU+motherboard or my GPU.

This is my current CPU+motherboard: "Intel core i5 2500k 3.4GHz" + "Intel® Desktop Board DH67BL"

And this is my GPU: "AMD Radeon r9 380 Nitro 4GB edition"

Now, obviously my CPU is quite a bit older than my GPU is, but i'm still not certain if I should go for a new CPU or GPU. Also i plan on upgrading my RAM to 16 GB(2x8) if i upgrade the CPU and an SSD drive regardless of what i choose to upgrade. And of course as needed a new PSU and possibly a new case.

Regarding the price and model, if i were to upgrade the CPU i would go for Intel i5 8600k 3.6GHz (not yet sure about the motherboard) and for GPU i would go for AMD radeon rx580 8GB.

So i would be very grateful if someone knowledgeable would tell me what would be the better option to upgrade in my case and possibly suggest another specific GPU or CPU+motherboard (depending on what i should upgrade) if there are better options than what i had in mind.

Note: Whether i upgrade the GPU or the CPU+mobo first I do plan on upgrading the other one by end of this year possibly or sometime next year, just don't know what i should upgrade first in this case.

 

[gingerrankin]

I would recommend changing the GPU first because you will notice much more improvement. Your CPU is capable of supporting the RX 580 in many games and will only experience bottelneck in some CPU intensive games.

I think that most RX 580 need an 8-pin and a 6-pin connector, so you should make sure that your PSU has them. In any case check before buying.

The only alternative similar to the RX 580 is the GTX 1060 6GB. A few months ago I sure would recommend this because it was much cheaper. Now the prices of the RX 580 8GB have dropped and are on par. The RX 580 is somewhat better than the GTX 1060 6GB.

In contrast the GTX 1060 6GB only needs a 6 pin cable because it consumes much less power (less than its current GPU) so surely your current PSU would probably work.