Will my I5-6600k bottleneck 280x?

[Kiryu611]

I don't have it yet but I'm looking to buy a new mobo and processor and wanted to know if I should buy a new graphics card or processor first?
Current specs fx-6300
8GB ram
280X
Graphics card I want is probably the 970 since it's in my price range.
Appreciate the help or suggestions!

 

[geofelt]

It depends...
You could upgrade either first.

cpu or gpu upgrade will be determined by which is most important to YOUR games.

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

Here is my stock approach to that question:

 

[Davinlevey]

What resolution are you playing at?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Not a chance. The 6600K is capable or running any single GPU, and two of most of them. It won't limit the GTX 970 either.

There's a decent amount of benchmarks for that combination, but I don't know of any with the 280X.

With the Combo you have, I'd do the CPU first because your GPU is still quite stout. In fact, I'd consider waiting another GPU generation before upgrading at all.

 

[Kiryu611]

Not a chance. The 6600K is capable or running any single GPU, and two of most of them. It won't limit the GTX 970 either.

There's a decent amount of benchmarks for that combination, but I don't know of any with the 280X.

With the Combo you have, I'd do the CPU first because your GPU is still quite stout. In fact, I'd consider waiting another GPU generation before upgrading at all.

Appreciate it! Though do you think the 280x would hold up well enough for Fallout 4? I'm asking because I'm building my brother a computer, only missing component is a graphics card, so I was going to buy a graphics card for myself and give him my 280x!

 

[Davinlevey]

This was the direction I was going with my question. The 6600k will CERTAINLY not bottleneck you, it is one of the best gaming cpus on the market right now. The 280x should be decent enough for 1080p in most games.

 

[Szaki]

I myself have an fx-6300 and an r9 285 so, if I were you I would change the processor first.
Why? There-s a pretty decent leap forward from an fx chip to an i5 (even bigger because of the unlocked intel chip you're planning to buy). Even if the 970 is definitely an improvement over the 280x, it's not as big as between the two cpus.
And besides, don't forget that both nvidia and amd are planing to release new gpus in a few month. The 280x is still a decent card, I think it's worth the wait. So, if you really want to upgrade, upgrade the cpu. And if I were you I would consider moving towards DDR4 as well.

Cheers!

 

[Davinlevey]

Yeah, going from my 8350 to my 4690k made a significant difference in certain games. Happy shopping!!

 

[DonkeyOatie]

NVidia is releasing a new generation of graphics cards soon-ish. That makes me a little more conservative now.

The GPU may require you to turn the wick down a little in some effects, but you should get a good playing experience.

 

[Davinlevey]

NVidia is releasing a new generation of graphics cards soon-ish. That makes me a little more conservative now.

The GPU may require you to turn the wick down a little in some effects, but you should get a good playing experience.

I'm not really needing a gpu upgrade, but Pascal.. I'm really excited for.

 

[Kiryu611]

NVidia is releasing a new generation of graphics cards soon-ish. That makes me a little more conservative now.

The GPU may require you to turn the wick down a little in some effects, but you should get a good playing experience.

I'm quite honestly looking to play probably just two games for the most part that I haven't really been able to enjoy due to FPS dips too frequently, that being Fallout 4 and Rise of Tomb Raider, how do you think I'll fair with an I5-6600K 280x combo, as to a 6300fx GTX970 combo?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Significantly better with the Intel chip.

If you are up for it, you could get yourself a decent CPU cooler and if you have a good motherboard, you can overclock the snot out of your FX 6300. I'd go to at least 4.20Ghz and as much more as the voltage and temperature will allow. The should revitalize the system some. This all assumes the rest of the kit will take it.

If you do not have a robust overclock on your FX63?? or FX8??? you are not using your CPU to the best advantage. Unlocked CPUs and good overclocks all around is one of AMDs advantages, use it.

 

[Szaki]

NVidia is releasing a new generation of graphics cards soon-ish. That makes me a little more conservative now.

The GPU may require you to turn the wick down a little in some effects, but you should get a good playing experience.

I'm quite honestly looking to play probably just two games for the most part that I haven't really been able to enjoy due to FPS dips too frequently, that being Fallout 4 and Rise of Tomb Raider, how do you think I'll fair with an I5-6600K 280x combo, as to a 6300fx GTX970 combo?

Fallout 4 dips are caused mostly because of the HDD. I just switched a month ago to an SSD and the micro stutters have stopped in Fallout.

 

[Kiryu611]

Significantly better with the Intel chip.

If you are up for it, you could get yourself a decent CPU cooler and if you have a good motherboard, you can overclock the snot out of your FX 6300. I'd go to at least 4.20Ghz and as much more as the voltage and temperature will allow. The should revitalize the system some. This all assumes the rest of the kit will take it.

If you do not have a robust overclock on your FX63?? or FX8??? you are not using your CPU to the best advantage. Unlocked CPUs and good overclocks all around is one of AMDs advantages, use it.

Right now I'm sitting with a stock clock and stock cooler, 500W evga 760G GA-78LMT for mobo. If I WERE to get a CPU cooler do you think my PSU would be able to handle a 280X and fx-6300 OC?

Another reason I was interested in intel and NVIDIA was not having to upgrade my PSU for the time being due to money constraints. Thanks for all your help by the way! Just want to make sure I get my money's worth with this!

 

[Kiryu611]

It depends...
You could upgrade either first.

cpu or gpu upgrade will be determined by which is most important to YOUR games.

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

Here is my stock approach to that question:

I did the CPU switch, on ultra no matter how it was changed I didn't notice any significant differences, with the graphics however, turning all the settings to low except for my resolution, keeping it at 1920x1080.

In heavy intensity areas on Ultra it was roughly 23FPS, on low it was around 38.

This is with everything at stock btw.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Significantly better with the Intel chip.

If you are up for it, you could get yourself a decent CPU cooler and if you have a good motherboard, you can overclock the snot out of your FX 6300. I'd go to at least 4.20Ghz and as much more as the voltage and temperature will allow. The should revitalize the system some. This all assumes the rest of the kit will take it.

If you do not have a robust overclock on your FX63?? or FX8??? you are not using your CPU to the best advantage. Unlocked CPUs and good overclocks all around is one of AMDs advantages, use it.

Right now I'm sitting with a stock clock and stock cooler, 500W evga 760G GA-78LMT for mobo. If I WERE to get a CPU cooler do you think my PSU would be able to handle a 280X and fx-6300 OC?

Another reason I was interested in intel and NVIDIA was not having to upgrade my PSU for the time being due to money constraints. Thanks for all your help by the way! Just want to make sure I get my money's worth with this!

Unfortunately you are SOOL with that motherboard, probably. Only the -USB3 version is something I'd even try to overclock on, and it may not handle too much.

All the other versions will be challenged to run a FX6300 in intense gamin situation without lagging.
Yes, that PSU is low-performance too. Give that to your brother as well and get a better one.

 

[Kiryu611]

Significantly better with the Intel chip.

If you are up for it, you could get yourself a decent CPU cooler and if you have a good motherboard, you can overclock the snot out of your FX 6300. I'd go to at least 4.20Ghz and as much more as the voltage and temperature will allow. The should revitalize the system some. This all assumes the rest of the kit will take it.

If you do not have a robust overclock on your FX63?? or FX8??? you are not using your CPU to the best advantage. Unlocked CPUs and good overclocks all around is one of AMDs advantages, use it.

Right now I'm sitting with a stock clock and stock cooler, 500W evga 760G GA-78LMT for mobo. If I WERE to get a CPU cooler do you think my PSU would be able to handle a 280X and fx-6300 OC?

Another reason I was interested in intel and NVIDIA was not having to upgrade my PSU for the time being due to money constraints. Thanks for all your help by the way! Just want to make sure I get my money's worth with this!

Unfortunately you are SOOL with that motherboard, probably. Only the -USB3 version is something I'd even try to overclock on, and it may not handle too much.

All the other versions will be challenged to run a FX6300 in intense gamin situation without lagging.
Yes, that PSU is low-performance too. Give that to your brother as well and get a better one.

Sh*t my bad, yeah it is the -USB3 Mobo but I think for now I'll just kind of upgrade the aestetics of my build. Case, get a new PSU, things of that nature. I'll save and get the 6600k and get the GPU whenever I can and just give him my 970.

Definitely gonna get a new motherboard as well and probably actually give him mine too since his is pretty shite. Appreciate all your help!!

 

[Kiryu611]

Significantly better with the Intel chip.

If you are up for it, you could get yourself a decent CPU cooler and if you have a good motherboard, you can overclock the snot out of your FX 6300. I'd go to at least 4.20Ghz and as much more as the voltage and temperature will allow. The should revitalize the system some. This all assumes the rest of the kit will take it.

If you do not have a robust overclock on your FX63?? or FX8??? you are not using your CPU to the best advantage. Unlocked CPUs and good overclocks all around is one of AMDs advantages, use it.

Right now I'm sitting with a stock clock and stock cooler, 500W evga 760G GA-78LMT for mobo. If I WERE to get a CPU cooler do you think my PSU would be able to handle a 280X and fx-6300 OC?

Another reason I was interested in intel and NVIDIA was not having to upgrade my PSU for the time being due to money constraints. Thanks for all your help by the way! Just want to make sure I get my money's worth with this!

Unfortunately you are SOOL with that motherboard, probably. Only the -USB3 version is something I'd even try to overclock on, and it may not handle too much.

All the other versions will be challenged to run a FX6300 in intense gamin situation without lagging.
Yes, that PSU is low-performance too. Give that to your brother as well and get a better one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0165YUDTM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
For a motherboard for my new 6600k would this do well? I'm trying to find a solid one for my I5

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Absolutely not. You need a Z170 motherboard or go with a locked, non-overclockable, CPU, even the 6500.

 

[Davinlevey]

Honestly the 6500 and that board would be a good combination, as Donkie mentioned. That's likely one of the more cost effective gains you can make.

 

[geofelt]

It depends...
You could upgrade either first.

cpu or gpu upgrade will be determined by which is most important to YOUR games.

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

Here is my stock approach to that question:

I did the CPU switch, on ultra no matter how it was changed I didn't notice any significant differences, with the graphics however, turning all the settings to low except for my resolution, keeping it at 1920x1080.

In heavy intensity areas on Ultra it was roughly 23FPS, on low it was around 38.

This is with everything at stock btw.

If you lower your graphics settings, it makes it possible for the graphics card to perform at higher fps. Your test tells me that your cpu is capable for that specific game and that a stronger graphics card might be your most effective first upgrade. Be careful though to not assume that your FX-6300 is good for all games.
sims, strategy and mmo games might not perform that way at all.

 

[Kiryu611]

Honestly the 6500 and that board would be a good combination, as Donkie mentioned. That's likely one of the more cost effective gains you can make.

So without any insane difference the 6500 with that mobo is a good fit? Would the 6600 be any better or close to the same?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

It's not worth the difference, 3% faster for 7% more.

 

[Kiryu611]

It's not worth the difference, 3% faster for 7% more.

Fantastic. What a happy birthday this will be. 8D Now to.. Wait a month.. Patiently..

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Re-cost again then. Things are likely to have changed a little in some way. There may be a deal out there.