GPU or CPU

DeathofRats · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:42

Looking at upgrading my sytstem. I'm on an old Sandy i5-2500k @ 4.5 , coupled with a 980ti.

I'm trying to work out which would be the more cost effective way to gain fps in my favourite games, a modern cpu to remove any potential cpu bottleneck, say an i7-7700k or the new 1080ti (assuming a good 20% improvement on a stock 1080).

Usual logic would suggest the gpu would lead to a bigger increase, but I'm already wondering if my Sandy is bottlenecking the 980, therefore handicapping a better gpu. The memory is also much slower than Kaby obviously too.

I'm playing at 1440p , mostly bf1, but also witcher3, total war, the new mass effect hopefully.

Cost would be similar..but which would give a bigger increase?

jbh110tdi · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:53

Both your CPU and GPU are very capable so that is a tough one.
Do you really think the 2500k @ 4.5Ghz is giving the 980ti a bottleneck?

Have you had MSI afterburner running with the CPU and GPU usage showing on screen in a game?
this would tell you if your GPU is running to its full capabilities or being held back.

I would like to think it wouldn't be being bottle necked by the CPU as the 2500k is still classed as a good strong CPU.

what ever path you take I wouldn't think you would have a problem selling your old hardware.

I know my self I would happily upgrade to a 980ti from my 970 as ive not got the spare funds to get a 1080

mistersprinkles · 2 Mar 2017 at 06:12

What is it exactly that your machine CAN'T do?
Bought one of those newfangled 240Hz monitors @ 1440P?

I play on a 1440P 144Hz monitor. I have a 1080. I get quite epic framerates in BF1 with everything maxed. Witcher 3 I also get quite epic framerates. Total war warhammer flew even when I had my 980... and do you really NEED high framerates (60 is fine) for Total war? I don't think so. JM2C.
The new Mass Effect game isn't going to be any more demanding than BF1 by the looks of it.

In all the games you listed, which I own (except Me:A which is not out yet) they were running acceptably for me when I had a 980 with this monitor, which is worse than your 980Ti. But I guess we have different expectations.

I mean, you could jump to a 1080Ti... that just came out. $699 I believe is the MSRP in USD dont know what it is in GBP. Other than that... Go to 16GB of RAM if you dont already have it.

I think going to a 1080 is too incremental so you should go to a 1080Ti if you are upgrading. I would expect your PCIE 2.0 to bottleneck the 1080Ti somewhat btw. That'll definitely be the last card you ever put in that machine before you have to hang up the cleetes and retire it.

varkanoid · 2 Mar 2017 at 11:39

To reiterate above is it just an upgrade itch or are you experiencing issues in games ? If FPS increase is a reason what fps are you getting now ?

DeathofRats · 2 Mar 2017 at 13:50

I confess it's something of an itch.. even on my 144hz 1440p I'm happy with current framerates - though I'm sure I read recently that an updated cpu with faster dd4 ram will improve things more than a straight clock for clock comparison would suggest...but I can't actually find that article now!

There is a little pot of money - if I don't spend it, it'll get gobbled up by family and takeouts :rolleyes:

jbh110tdi · 2 Mar 2017 at 14:42

DeathofRats said:
I confess it's something of an itch..

There is a little pot of money - if I don't spend it, it'll get gobbled up by family and takeouts

you could just wait get a 1080ti then once you have that sell your 980ti and buy a big SSD or some faster DDR3 ram

DeathofRats · 2 Mar 2017 at 16:17

jbh110tdi said:
you could just wait get a 1080ti then once you have that sell your 980ti and buy a big SSD or some faster DDR3 ram

already have the the big ssd and 16gb ddr3 - have been running out of upgrade options on my z77 chip for sometime LOL (though my MSI-gd65 could probably make use of faster ram). I think you've answered the question - namely that the 1080ti is probably a better route when gaming at 1440p since it will be more gpu bound than cpu bound?. Looking at some of the new Ryzen benchies would suggest the same, that for games at 1440p each cpu is virtually indistinguishable when using a high end graphics card.

Drollic · 2 Mar 2017 at 18:00

I would sell your 2500k, buy a 2600k or 3770k that clocks really well and then buy a 6c coffee lake cpu and system dependant on price a few months after release and updates if you feel the i7 isn't enough.

jbh110tdi · 2 Mar 2017 at 22:40

DeathofRats said:
already have the the big ssd and 16gb ddr3 - have been running out of upgrade options on my z77 chip for sometime LOL (though my MSI-gd65 could probably make use of faster ram). I think you've answered the question - namely that the 1080ti is probably a better route when gaming at 1440p since it will be more gpu bound than cpu bound?. Looking at some of the new Ryzen benchies would suggest the same, that for games at 1440p each cpu is virtually indistinguishable when using a high end graphics card.

yea my 970 is holding my system back. wish I had the funds to get a 1070 or 1080 the now but its not going to happen.
I'll just need to bide my time until some cheap 980ti's start hitting the second hand sales.