[SOLVED] What component should I upgrade?

josephp213

Prominent
May 12, 2017
5
0
510
Hello, I've been unsatisfied with my current setup for a while. I'm looking for a steady 144fps in first person shooters. Problem is, I don't know upgrading which component would provide me the best bang for my buck.

These are my current specs:

GPU: GTX 1060 3gb

CPU: i5-7500

Ram: 2x8gb DDR4

Storage: 240gb SSD & 1tb HDD

PSU: 500w

What would be the best component(s) to upgrade? Working with around $400. Thank you for any help!
 
Solution
Its a tough choice and depends on specific games. Assuming 1080p 144hz I see 2 problems achieving 144fps average and that’s both the CPU and GPU.

Quad core CPU’s are entry level now and demoted to i3 classification. CPU heavy games will saturate a quad. You cannot overclock your cpu either which doesn’t help. If you want to average 144fps or as close as possible in all games then you would be looking at a 8700k/9700K or Ryzen 2600 or better. These cpu upgrades all need a new motherboard.

For gpu the 1060 3gb is an ok 1080p 60Hz card. You will have to dial down settings in some games if you want to average 100fps let alone 144.

I suggest you monitor CPU (all cores, not total usage) and GPU usage in the games you play and see what is...

pivodrums

Prominent
Feb 10, 2018
84
12
545
what kind of monitor do you have? 24" 1080p 144Hz?
Probably the weakest link would be the GPU for steady FPS. Try looking into RTX 2060 maybe but still depends on monitor and the games you are playing...
 
Its a tough choice and depends on specific games. Assuming 1080p 144hz I see 2 problems achieving 144fps average and that’s both the CPU and GPU.

Quad core CPU’s are entry level now and demoted to i3 classification. CPU heavy games will saturate a quad. You cannot overclock your cpu either which doesn’t help. If you want to average 144fps or as close as possible in all games then you would be looking at a 8700k/9700K or Ryzen 2600 or better. These cpu upgrades all need a new motherboard.

For gpu the 1060 3gb is an ok 1080p 60Hz card. You will have to dial down settings in some games if you want to average 100fps let alone 144.

I suggest you monitor CPU (all cores, not total usage) and GPU usage in the games you play and see what is limiting performance.
 
Last edited:
Solution

josephp213

Prominent
May 12, 2017
5
0
510
what kind of monitor do you have? 24" 1080p 144Hz?
Probably the weakest link would be the GPU for steady FPS. Try looking into RTX 2060 maybe but still depends on monitor and the games you are playing...
Yeah, I have a 24" 1080p 144hz monitor, I'm mostly playing games like Far Cry and Apex Legends, I'd also like to have a decent setup for future games though.
 

josephp213

Prominent
May 12, 2017
5
0
510
It a tough choice and depends on specific games. Assuming 1080p 144hz I see 2 problems achieving 144fps average and that’s both the CPU and GPU.

Quad core CPU’s are entry level now and demoted to i3 classification. CPU heavy games will saturate a quad. You cannot overclock your cpu either which doesn’t help. If you want to average 144fps or as close as possible in all games then you would be looking at a 8700k/9700K or Ryzen 2600 or better. These cpu upgrades all need a new motherboard.

For gpu the 1060 3gb is an ok 1080p 60Hz card. You will have to dial down settings in some games if you want to average 100fps let alone 144.

I suggest you monitor CPU (all cores, not total usage) and GPU usage in the games you play and see what is limiting performance.
I'm completely fine with running games at their lowest settings, does that mean I should prioritize a CPU upgrade? I'll monitor their usages, thank you!