Where is the bottleneck

[SalemC]

I'm currently using an i3-3225 CPU @ 3.30 GHz and a GTX 560 ti with 8 GB of ram. I am trying to decide whether to upgrade my CPU to an i5-4690K or my GPU to a GTX 960 2GB 128bit. This computer is mainly for gaming. So with that in mind what do you recommend?

 

[jonnyboy6969]

In all honesty... upgrade both. But the cpu first. Just make sure you don't need a new mobo for that i5. I'm not positive. I think the i3 is a LGA 1150 and the i5 Haswell is an LGA 1155. I'm fairly positive they are not compatible. If so, you'd need a new motherboard. Double check this.

 

[SalemC]

In all honesty... upgrade both. But I'd grab the cpu first since it will require a new motherboard (I'm fairly certain at least since the i5 is an LGA 1150, I'm fairly positive) THEN buy the gpu since you're already having to buy a new motherboard on top of cpu purchase. Wait. Is that I3 a LGA 1155? If so, you won't need a mobo upgrade actually.

It says sockets supported FCLGA1155

 

[whoratesit]

Without a doubt I would upgrade the GPU if your goal is to improve gaming FPS, upgrading your CPU will make no difference to the majority of games whereas all games will see significant FPS increases with a new GTX 960.


If you upgrade the 560 ti to a 960 you will get an 80% performance boost for $200:
UserBenchmark: Nvidia GTX 960 vs GTX 560 Ti
Effective 3D Gaming GPU Speed: 52.9% vs 29.1%
Nvidia GTX 960 - 22nd / 485
Nvidia GTX 560 Ti - 58th / 485

If you do decide to upgrade your CPU to a 4690K (you will need a new MOBO as well) here is your performance improvement for the $330 investment:
UserBenchmark: Intel Core i5-4690K vs Core i3-3225
Effective CPU Speed: 90.2% vs 63.9%
Intel Core i5-4690K - 5th / 827
Intel Core i3-3225 - 140th / 827

 

[jonnyboy6969]

You'll need a new motherboard. The i3-3225 is an LGA 1155. The i5 4690k (Devils Canyon) is on the newer LGA 1150. They are not compatible, so you'd need a new motherboard. While yes, the above poster is right if you want for pure performance buying a new gpu is the way to go. BUT I'm fearful you'll be doing nothing BUT creating an even bigger bottleneck. Will it still run? Well, yes. You'll still see probably a 30-50% increase in fps. So I mean, possibly buy the gpu now, see if it gives you the boost you want/need for the moment. And in the future buy a the new cpu/mobo when price comes down. Guy above is right though, the new cpu will show little improvement fps in games. To say it makes "no difference" isn't really accurate though that depends entirely on the games you play. You can see through benchmarks the difference in games like BF4, Dragon Age Inquisition etc. the difference between an i3 and i5 are 5-10 fps sometimes.