what to upgrade next?

[Richkc]

My pc is starting to struggle with big games now, my cpu for sure. what is an easy upgrade? Thanks Rich

Asus z87-k motherboard
i5 4670k 3.4ghz oc to 4.2ghz
gefore gtx 970 zotac 4GB
16gb ram
750w psu
Samsung ssd evo 500GB
windows 10

 

[n0ns3ns3]

an easy (also cheapest) upgrade would be just replacing CPU with an i7 like 4770/4790 4770K/4790K.

 

[Richkc]

thanks for the reply, would that be a straight swap? what about bios? thanks

 

[Rdslw]

I would stay with CPU, maybe add AIO cooler and OC further. Next solid step for you is new MOBO with 9'th gen intel IMHO, so keep collecting $ and wait for new gen (or at least info its not as good as intel 10nm press release shows and hit 8'th gen).
this way you can get most of your cash and reuse new cooler.

 

[Rdslw]

an easy (also cheapest) upgrade would be just replacing CPU with an i7 like 4770/4790 4770K/4790K.

i dont think non-K i7 will show better performance in games. so you need K version cpu and similar OC.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

thanks for the reply, would that be a straight swap? what about bios? thanks

If you go for 4790, a bios update might be required before swap.

dont think non-K i7 will show better performance in games. so you need K version cpu and similar OC.

i7 does improve performance in any multi threaded game. especially when it comes to removing stuttering/freezes from the experience.
Of course a K version would do a bit better, but it also costs more.

 

[geofelt]

The answer is not clear.
Your i5-4670K is still a very good gaming processor.
GTX970 is still a good card.

Since a big gain from a processor swap is not easy to come by, I think a GTX970 to a GTX1080 class card is likely best.

If you decide on a small cpu upgrade, you can drop in a I7-4790K and OC it.
Your clocks will not be different, but you will get 4 extra threads which will be good primarily for multiplayer games.

Past that, you should be looking at a 8th gen K suffix processor which will OC to the 5.0 range.
You pick the number of threads, 4/6/12.
That will entail a new z370 motherboard and ddr4 ram.
What is your budget?
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.
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run this test:

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.