Would a CPU upgrade be worth it even if it's not really maxing out (At the moment)? (Information inside)

flashheart85

flashheart85

flashheart85

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First off I am sorry for my grammar spelling or sentence structure. I am 38 but suffered a stroke in my 31, since then words, numbers etc are a bit of a struggle so sorry in advance. I did used to build computers for fun but a lot of my past before 31 has gone out of my noggin lol. and still try but as I say.. Numbers and calculating can be a struggle so I often ask for advice. Nowa days.



So, in your opinions would a CPU upgrade be totally worthless compared to e new graphic card for better frames? My gut is telling me YES but the data (userbenchmarks, benchmarks in general) Its kinda telling me I wouldn’t see much of an improvement upgrading my cpu.
According to MSI afterburner the cores are only getting to about 60-70 (on games before 2021) When the GPU is at max. However, the newer AAA titles its starting to get closer to maxing out or get into the 80-90’s. With some much more graphically intense games coming out in the next few years I’m wondering if which is the way forward.. or maybe even a dreaded full system upgrade is needed lol Due to the stroke I do struggle with Simulation sickness/dizziness if games drop below a certain frame rate. (First person shooters Below 45fps. Third person RPGS: 30fps).

This is my setup

CPU: 4790K (4.7ghz Oc’ed)
GPU: 2070 Super
Motherboard: Hero II
RAM: DDR3 16Gb
Monitor: Asus 2k 144hz

As you can see my CPU is nearly 9 years old and I haven’t really had any issues with it really. It still JUST about meets minimum specs on modern games but even the ones that is doesn’t I am still getting semi decent fps from it.

Here are a few examples:

Resident Evil 4 Demo:
100% GPU
50ish CPU
60-70fps.


Marvel Avengers (don’t judge me.. I kind of like it lol):
Graphics at max
Everything is near enough at 100% however I’ve seen many people saying it’s poorly optimised and the Intel destruction graphic option is a CPU killer. I get 60fps and minor drops to 50 in very heavy fighting scenes.
steamcommunity.com

Steam Community :: Screenshot

Steam Community: Forspoken Demo.
steamcommunity.com steamcommunity.com

Forspoken (demo) Max:
pretty much everything at 100% with about 30-40fps and quite a bit of micro stutter
steamcommunity.com

Steam Community :: Screenshot

Steam Community: Forspoken Demo.
steamcommunity.com steamcommunity.com

Planet Coaster: In a half built park
GPU: 45%
CPU all about 80

Framerate 22fps.
steamcommunity.com

Steam Community :: Screenshot

Steam Community: Planet Coaster.
steamcommunity.com steamcommunity.com

Now, to me, my gut instinct is saying to upgrade the CPU first. I’d be maybe aiming for a 10th gen CPU but According to User benchmarks the 10th gens are only a little bit better (20%) better than my CPU and less when it comes to gaming if I am understanding the numbers correctly. However, I am wondering with newer Mobo, chipset, RAM etc if that’s also going to boost the FPS.

However, looking at online calculators if I upgraded my GPU to say 4070TI it’s 120% better than my GPU. The problem is would be CPU become a bottle neck even more IF I went for a 4000 Series GPU.


Cost wise I can only afford to upgrade one.

If it was the GPU upgrade I’d maybe aim at a 4070TI (700-800ish) with a new case to house it

If a CPU I’d sadly need to upgrade the Mobo, RAM and Case along with them. That would prob be around £800-900 as well (buying a second hand CPU).



SOOOO, here is the question.

Which should be the next upgrade?
A:GPU
B:CPU
C: They're both on the same level... You'll sadly have to upgrade both to see a major difference.


Hope this has made sense and I’d welcome any advice – thank you and once again sorry for the grammatical errors/sentence structure etc.
 
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What PSU are you running?

If it were me and it had to be one or the other, I'd go for a platform upgrade and switch the GPU later this year when we have some new hardware on the table. I don't think a reasonable upgrade for both is outside of your budget however, especially if you don't mind buying second hand.
 
Agreed with first post completely. But you could lower the resolution to up your FPS, where the a platform upgrade would benefit even more as opposed to GPU. 2070 super still is good enough when not pushed too hard like at higher resolutions.
 
I certainly wouldn't upgrade the gpu while a 4790k is the cpu and going to hold the gpu back by quite a lot. Better to upgrade the platform first and the gpu later would be my personal choice. The 2070 Super is still a decent card.
 
Short answer, CPU etc.. as your current CPU will not do well with a high end GPU.

I would spec out what your ideal build would be and then look at routes to get there.

Budget: You could get a decent gaming build for around £800 targeting 1440p, probably looking at low cost MB/CPU/RAM and say a 6700xt.
This would work with your 2070 Super or it would get you a good boost and also support higher end GPUs if you spent a bit more on the platform.

Premium: Upgrade the platform or the GPU first with intent to upgrade the other part soon after.
Market - The GPU prices are high while platform prices are still good and falling.
Tech - You are probably at the limit with your CPU and if you drop the cash on a 4070 Ti you will be in a mess as your CPU will choke. If you went for a platform (say 13600k, or 7600x) you would get some benefits like smoothness and be maxing out the GPU and be ready for a newer GPU when prices drop. Also the 4070 Ti is a bit short on vRam, something to watch out for.

What would I do?
I would probably invest in the AM5 platform now that lower cost motherboards are out, probably with the 7600x as that is lowish cost. Then as the 4000 series releases I would pick up an older 3090 (because 24Gb vRam) or look at what AMD drops for 1440p. Only reason to get a 4000 card that is not a 4090 is the Frame Generation but AMD will have something similar at some point.
Later if you do get a 4080 or similar the you always have the option to drop in the 7800x3d or whatever AMD do next.

Intel 13th gen is nice but there is no upgrade paths other than a bigger 13th gen CPU.

Another budget alternative is see if you can grab and AM4 setup second hand that someone is migrating off. It's end of life but should be cheap and will still be good up to a 3090 GPU, and more if you drop in a 5800x3d.
 
This would be a solid upgrade while keeping the costs down, you could always look to flip the 2070 super for a used 3080/6800XT with the total net cost being under 600 quid.

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £373.92 (includes delivery: £7.99)​



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