What to upgrade next?

[IIINicky]

As it says in the title, "what to upgrade next?". About 1 year ago I upgraded my PC and expanded my knowledge on building them. I know how everything works in a computer and would have no trouble replacing what needs to be replaced.

My current system:

GPU: Nvidia GTX 750Ti
CPU: AMD Athlon x4 860k
MOBO: Gigabyte F2A55m-HD2
CPU COOLERZALMAN CNPS5X
RAM: 8Gb of Ram
STORAGE:
120GB SSD
1TB HARD-DRIVE


For most of my time on this system I play Counter-Strike Global Offensive, but in the future I would like to play more graphic intense games like "Crysis 3". For the most part I want a noticeable boost in fps...

Getting to the question, I would like you guys to tell me what is the best idea on upgrading the core of the pc, i.e CPU, GPU, MOBO...I have a price range of around £100-£150 on each part!

Thank you,
-Nicky

 

[Anarkie13]

You're pretty much maxed on the socket, so CPU/MoBo is frozen until they get replaced. Honestly, I'd use the next upgrade as a primer. Assuming your PSU is in line with the rest, I'd get a proper PSU so future upgrades won't be met with a power limitation.

A good 650-750W Seasonic or EVGA will ensure your next GPU (the next upgrade I'd do after PSU) will work. Then the big upgrade of CPU/MoBo

 

[geofelt]

What is your psu?
That limits what your graphic upgrade options are.

Your 860K was a decent original pick, but a poor choice if you planned to upgrade.

Here is my stock approach to understanding your options:

------------------------------------------------------------
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 core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Your £100-£150 budget will not buy a significantly faster graphics card. £160 -$180 would be a budget for a GTX960, £250 for a GTX970 class card.

On the cpu side, Intel is the only way to go.
A skylake i3 cpu would fit that budget, but you are looking at a new motherboard and ram to go with it.

 

[IIINicky]

What is your psu?
That limits what your graphic upgrade options are.

Your 860K was a decent original pick, but a poor choice if you planned to upgrade.

Here is my stock approach to understanding your options:

------------------------------------------------------------
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 core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Your £100-£150 budget will not buy a significantly faster graphics card. £160 -$180 would be a budget for a GTX960, £250 for a GTX970 class card.

On the cpu side, Intel is the only way to go.
A skylake i3 cpu would fit that budget, but you are looking at a new motherboard and ram to go with it.

Thank you for your advice, I will certainly do everything you have suggested as soon as I get home. My PSU is 600W

 

[IIINicky]

You're pretty much maxed on the socket, so CPU/MoBo is frozen until they get replaced. Honestly, I'd use the next upgrade as a primer. Assuming your PSU is in line with the rest, I'd get a proper PSU so future upgrades won't be met with a power limitation.

A good 650-750W Seasonic or EVGA will ensure your next GPU (the next upgrade I'd do after PSU) will work. Then the big upgrade of CPU/MoBo

Thank you for your helpful advice, I have a 600W PSU so future upgrades should be fine. Could you suggest any good motherboards?

 

[geofelt]

You pick a motherboard after you pick the cpu.