Which upgrade should I go for, a monitor or GPU?

[Ron JH]

Greetings everyone. First timer posting here so I hope I am doing this right.

Currently I am using a decent PC setup to game mostly on FPS games like BF4, Borderlands and possibly Overwatch in future as I do enjoy any shooters with satisfying 60fps plus but felt I might need more in 1080p resolution.

So I got a problem on my BenQ 22inch monitor, as it's got a dead pixel on the left side of a screen on upper side and couldn't fix it in anyway. Not that it's bothered me too much but can still be distracting when I am gaming.

This is my hardware list at the moment.

CPU: Intel i3-4160
Motherboard: Gigabyte B85M-U3H
CPU Cooler: BeQuiet Pure Rock
RAM: HyperX 8GB DDR3 performance RAM
SSD: Patriot Blast 240GB SSD
Hard Drive: 1TB Western Digital Blue 7200 rpm
PSU: Seasonic 620w S12II 80+ Bronze
GPU: Asus GTX 680 Direct CU II TOP 2GB DDR5

Current Monitor: BenQ GW2270 1080p (one dead pixel)

Now my only concern is...which upgrade should I invest on?

I am still very comfortable in 1080p and had no desire to jump 1440p yet as I want a much smoother experience without too big a display. A 24 inch would be my sweet spot.

But at the same time, I wanted to experience 144hz refresh rate with my shooters.

Is that doable with my current setup or should I upgrade my GPU first before getting a new display monitor and bear with the dead pixel?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

P.s: I have no need for GSync for the time being.

 

[Jetster]

Go ahead and get the 144hz if you want it. Later you will be upgrading the rest anyway. I'm sure you can run it at 60hz if you don't like it

 

[Ron JH]

Go ahead and get the 144hz if you want it. Later you will be upgrading the rest anyway. I'm sure you can run it at 60hz if you don't like it

Alrighty. I'll try and see what model is the best option at my disposal. Budget isn't really a concern here so I am open for anything.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

For now you should upgrade your hardware as monitor can come 2nd OR u can buy the whole package as long as your budget allows it.

 

[D007]

Thing is you're talking about games like BF4 and borderlands.. Pretty demanding games, with a 680, which is starting to show it's age...
What FPS do you get? If the answer is under 60.. Upgrade the GPU.. Because 144hz @ 40fps = no gain..
My two cents.

 

[Ron JH]

For now you should upgrade your hardware as monitor can come 2nd OR u can buy the whole package as long as your budget allows it.

Well, I am doing solid with my GTX 680 so I think I can use it for a bit more.

Thing is you're talking about games like BF4 and borderlands.. Pretty demanding games, with a 680, which is starting to show it's age...
What FPS do you get? If the answer is under 60.. Upgrade the GPU.. Because 144hz @ 40fps = no gain..
My two cents.

Well, for Borderlands 2 and BF4 I am getting a consistent 55-65 fps with High settings with AA and VSync off. So yeah...any thoughts?

 

[trog100]

without a gpu that can get the fps up high enough the 144hz monitor is a waste of space..

trog

 

[Ron JH]

without a gpu that can get the fps up high enough the 144hz monitor is a waste of space..

trog

Hmm, good point. So I guess it's crucial to get a better GPU first then.

Since I've no desire to SLI yet, and probably never will due to scaling issues, I think I'll be patient and save up for something good.

 

[P4-630]

I just bought a GTX1070, gaming at 1080p 60Hz, GPU load 75% average.
I'm able to use more MSAA and stuff like that.

My next monitor will probably be a 1440p.

I'd say upgrade your GPU first and possibly other hardware.

 

[Ron JH]

I just bought a GTX1070, gaming at 1080p 60Hz, GPU load 75% average.
I'm able to use more MSAA and stuff like that.

My next monitor will probably be a 1440p.

I'd say upgrade your GPU first and possibly other hardware.

Speaking of the 10 series...I am not sure how big an upgrade jump it'll be for me since I am using a GTX 680.

Is GTX 1080 overkill for 1080p at 144hz?

 

[P4-630]

Check out some reviews of the GTX1080 and see how they do.

At 1080p you can use high MSAA and other eye candy.

 

[Ron JH]

Check out some reviews of the GTX1080 and see how they do.

At 1080p you can use high MSAA and other eye candy.

Alright then. Thanks for telling and I'll check out which GTX 10 series I want to go with.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Speaking of the 10 series...I am not sure how big an upgrade jump it'll be for me since I am using a GTX 680.

Is GTX 1080 overkill for 1080p at 144hz?

I would say no, not at 144hz. 60 possibly. But...no one can really say what is overkill. Everyone has their own likes, needs, desirez and dislikes. I for one like to completely max out graphics, and still get as close to 60fps as possible.

Check out the reviews on the main TPU site that W1zzard has done on 1080's. You'll see the fps on 1080p seem lime overkill, but I don't believe he did the 1080p at 144hz, so you can guess after that.

In any case, a better/or faster monitor will not do you any good without a GPU to run it, so my vote is to upgrade that hardware first.

 

[Ron JH]

I would say no, not at 144hz. 60 possibly. But...no one can really say what is overkill. Everyone has their own likes, needs, desirez and dislikes. I for one like to completely max out graphics, and still get as close to 60fps as possible.

Check out the reviews on the main TPU site that W1zzard has done on 1080's. You'll see the fps on 1080p seem lime overkill, but I don't believe he did the 1080p at 144hz, so you can guess after that.

In any case, a better/or faster monitor will not do you any good without a GPU to run it, so my vote is to upgrade that hardware first.

Okay then. You make a good point there.

I guess in the end it's all about personal preference.

But yeah, I'll upgrade my hardware first before my monitor, starting with my GPU of course.

I haven't read all the reviews on the 1080 yet but it seems awesome from what I get on the FE edition's performance.

 

[Jack1n]

I would suggest to keep saving money until you can upgrade both, a 680 cannot handle higher resolutions well and at the same time it is all you need for 1080p 60hz, that way you can get something better for the same amount of money later on.

 

[Ron JH]

I would suggest to keep saving money until you can upgrade both, a 680 cannot handle higher resolutions well and at the same time it is all you need for 1080p 60hz, that way you can get something better for the same amount of money later on.

I agree wholeheartedly. I guess I am just having mixed feelings not knowing where to start my upgrade as my confidence in GTX 680 is wavering a bit as more and more awesome games came out.

But yeah, I'll save up for both the GPU and monitor if possible. Maybe by that time I got the cash, I'll be able to upgrade to something even better in future since tech is moving so freakishly fast xD

 

[rtwjunkie]

I would suggest to keep saving money until you can upgrade both, a 680 cannot handle higher resolutions well and at the same time it is all you need for 1080p 60hz, that way you can get something better for the same amount of money later on.

You make a good point.

Ron, if you've got patience, save up for both! But I do understand your desire. Honestly a 680 can not max out the newest games even on 1080p. You've got to sacrifice some settings. Again, it's all personal preference what YOU are willing to accept.

Good thing is you don't need to upgrade the CPU. That 4160 is a great CPU that I like and is surprisingly powerful in gaming.

 

[Ron JH]

You make a good point.

Ron, if you've got patience, save up for both! But I do understand your desire. Honestly a 680 can not max out the newest games even on 1080p. You've got to sacrifice some settings. Again, it's all personal preference what YOU are willing to accept.

Good thing is you don't need to upgrade the CPU. That 4160 is a great CPU that I like and is surprisingly powerful in gaming.

I guess I'll just have to be super patient then.

And yeah, I am aware the GTX 680 is aging already like my old 580...

But hey, the boost will be so satisfying when it happens

Also, yeah. The i3 is surprisingly versatile even though I've been chuckled by others saying my CPU will bottleneck my GPU, which might be true at some games.

But overall it's still a good performer.

 

[Frick]

I'd go for ... dunno, monitor probably? A monitor lasts longer than a GPU.

 

[PLAfiller]

I'd definitely get the monitor first. Your eyes will thank you and if you decide to ditch gaming or start a new venture, like graphic design or something else, you will have a nice monitor to ease the strain on your eyes.

 

[Ron JH]

I'd definitely get the monitor first. Your eyes will thank you and if you decide to ditch gaming or start a new venture, like graphic design or something else, you will have a nice monitor to ease the strain on your eyes.

Well I am a hobbyist in digital art drawing so yeah, I can say having a better monitor would help.

My current Monitor is just a bit silly looking now with a dead pixel on the left xD

 

[trog100]

Well I am a hobbyist in digital art drawing so yeah, I can say having a better monitor would help.

My current Monitor is just a bit silly looking now with a dead pixel on the left xD

you are talking two entirely difference issues.. a nice looking ips monitor dosnt have to be a 144 hz one..

to game at 144hz needs a powerfully gpu even at 1080..

my monitor can do 165 hrz.. but i didnt buy it for that i bought it for its nice colour reproduction and very good viewing angles..

one other thing.. g-sync seems to negate the need for super high frame rates.. you get smooth game play at much lower frame rates.. 75 fps is enough for me.

you could by a nice monitor first just forget about the 144hz stuff until you can afford to buy the powerful gpu to maybe make use of it..

currently the 1080 card is not a good buy.. the 1070 or even a reduced price 980 TI make far better choices.. for what it is the 1080 card is way over priced..

trog

 

[Ron JH]

you are talking two entirely difference issues.. a nice looking ips monitor dosnt have to be a 144 hz one..

to game at 144hz needs a powerfully gpu even at 1080..

my monitor can do 165 hrz.. but i didnt buy it for that i bought it for its nice colour reproduction and very good viewing angles..

one other thing.. g-sync seems to negate the need for super high frame rates.. you get smooth game play at much lower frame rates.. 75 fps is enough for me.

you could by a nice monitor first just forget about the 144hz stuff until you can afford to buy the powerful gpu to maybe make use of it..

currently the 1080 card is not a good buy.. the 1070 or even a reduced price 980 TI make far better choices.. for what it is the 1080 card is way over priced..

trog

Huh, I didn't know G Sync can be as appealing as that. I'll try and find one for it maybe.

And yeah, if I am being sensible with the money, maybe I'll go for a good 980 Ti instead of the 1080. The price is kinda scary, though I've seen worse (like Titan X and Titan Z).

But yeah, thanks a lot for the advice.

 

[Frick]

Isn't G-sync deadish, or will be soon, in favour of Freesync?

 

[dorsetknob]

Upgrade your Monitor that's an upgrade you expect to last you 3 to 5 years

if its a graphics card upgrade you go for>>>>> it will probably be out of date between you ordering it ( and paying) and delivery to you