What should i upgrade first cpu (fx8120) or gpu (660ti)?

[Hatsnam3]

I have a amd fx8120 and a 660ti. Im wondering if if i should upgrade my cpu and motherboard first or upgrade my gpu. The cpu is overclocked to 4.2MHz with max temps being 47 at load after 2 hours prime 95 blend. The gpu is overcloked +225 core clock and +625 memory clock with max tems reaching 79 after 2 hour stress test. my max budget is somewhere around $250 - $300.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

either way you won't be getting much of an upgrade with that budget.
lower mid-range GPUs have skyrocketed in price lately. also, the least i would put into a new Chipset(board, cpu, memory) would be ~$500.
my goal would be ~$750 for the new hardware if you have a good case, power supply, display, peripherals, etc already. even if it means waiting a bit longer.

you may be able to put together parts for a decent Ryzen 5 setup for pretty low price. maybe $600, but it will be a budget build getting budget performance.

 

[jaslion]

I have a amd fx8120 and a 660ti. Im wondering if if i should upgrade my cpu and motherboard first or upgrade my gpu. The cpu is overclocked to 4.2MHz with max temps being 47 at load after 2 hours prime 95 blend. The gpu is overcloked +225 core clock and +625 memory clock with max tems reaching 79 after 2 hour stress test. my max budget is somewhere around $250 - $300.

You are looking at a complete rebuild. Your pc is out of date. You have to move to the new ryzen or intel platform for your cpu as there are no good fx series cpu's and the 8120 will hold anything above a gt 1030 back.

 

[geofelt]

A perennial question.
Here is my stock approach:

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend 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.
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. 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.
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If you decide on a gpu upgrade, that is easiest, and a GTX1060 would be appropriate and within your budget.
It can be carried forward eventually to a new cpu/mobo/ram.

A new cpu/mobo/ram is a bit harder, and it will depend on the tests above.
Ryzen is attractive if you need many threads.
Intel is attractive if you need core speed.