[SOLVED] Upgrading CPU or CPU

[lumpman2]

I have a relatively old system (about 5 years) with a
GPU: GTX 960
CPU: Intel i5-4460 3.2 GHz
RAM: 12 GB
Motherboard: ASUS Z97-A/USB 3.1
I'm planning on upgrading one of the CPU or GPU soon and replacing the other one further down the line. I generally use my PC for mildly intensive games like GTA V, but not much higher than that. I'm thinking of changing to a slightly better GPU (probably a 1000 series) or a slightly better CPU, but I'm not sure which one I should upgrade now or which device I should get.

 

[Prad_Bitt]

I have a relatively old system (about 5 years) with a
GPU: GTX 960
CPU: Intel i5-4460 3.2 GHz
RAM: 12 GB
Motherboard: ASUS Z97-A/USB 3.1
I'm planning on upgrading one of the CPU or GPU soon and replacing the other one further down the line. I generally use my PC for mildly intensive games like GTA V, but not much higher than that. I'm thinking of changing to a slightly better GPU (probably a 1000 series) or a slightly better CPU, but I'm not sure which one I should upgrade now or which device I should get.

Budget? If possible, upgrade both.

 

[geofelt]

My stock approach to this perennial question:

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
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To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one or more cores/threads. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of threads to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.



It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system,
and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

 

[LeiHeJun]

@lumpman2
I'd say change the gpu.
because ddr5 is coming in 2021 and in less than 2 years it'll become commonplace. whatever cpu you upgrade now, will not catch on with that.
even if you buy a monster cpu for Christmas, it will cringe at the sight of DDR5.

btw, you're using DDR3 man. If you change CPU, you need to change everything. unless you get another CPU compatible with DDR3 which is terrible of an idea.

So, I think you must ask your question this way -> Upgrading GPU or GPU

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...5-4460-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-40-ghz.html