Can I upgrade just my GPU, or will my other parts be a bottleneck?

[JohnJSal]

So I just started playing MHW last night, and it seems to run okay on my setup, but I don't have enough VRAM to run it in anything but Low graphics mode. I assume setting it to Medium or higher will make the world explode? I have 2GB of VRAM, and Medium+ seems to require 3GB+.

Anyway, I'm wondering if upgrading only my GPU would help with this, or if doing so might cause the rest of my system to be a bottleneck.

Also, I'm thinking instead of doing a big, expensive upgrade (I usually upgrade all parts at once), I could just find a cheaper GPU that's maybe a year or two old. Would that work, or is the game too new for this? It recommends a 1060.

Any suggestions on a card? I'm thinking maybe something fairly cheap, just to see if this will improve the graphics. Not sure if I'm aiming too low here by upgrading just one component though. I did notice that my specific CPU is still listed as the recommended one, so maybe that means it won't be an issue.

Thanks!
John

Here are my specs:

Case: Antec P182
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 (2GB)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB)
Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner
PSU: Corsair HX750
Monitor: Asus VH236H

[Schiggy]

Yes upgrade Graphics Card should give you a big boost from 670

[JohnJSal]

Originally posted by Selo:

Yes upgrade Graphics Card should give you a big boost from 670

Any suggestions for a decently priced one? I'd rather not spend a lot until I do a full system upgrade. I tend to prefer Nvidia.

Thanks.

[♋Phenex]

Just get a 2060 or 2070. You'll get a pretty good FPS boost and should have no problems with new games for at least 5 years. And they're compatible with your current mobo.

[TrqcKed 🃏]

The Nvidia Geforce 970GTX is a decently priced one and can run mhw in max settings at 50-60 fps.

[Xande]

Upgrading your GPU would be the best thing to do.
Even though your 3770 is pretty outdated (3rd gen), I don’t think it will be much of a problem until you upgrade it. I run an overclocked FX-8350 (also 3rd gen) and MHW runs at 55~75fps on the most demanding areas (custom settings, most max, volumetric lighting set to medium, ultrawide AR) on my 1070ti. So yeah, even though on my setup my CPU is definitely a “bottleneck” for the 1070ti, it gives me a very smooth experience on my gsync monitor (excluding the game glitches and buggy stutters related to character animation), so I don’t think the 3770 will be a problem for you.
I’m waiting for the ryzen 3000 to upgrade my system :P this FX-8350 is a hero lol, the only game I could not get stable performance with it was Assassins Creed Origins, other than that, I never had issues keeping framerate above 60!

p.s. suggestion: get a ssd, if you can, of course. Not because it will improve your “performance” (because it won’t), but because of the impact it has on the system overall.

[Tamerlein]

If you cant afford the new 2070 or want to dump in that sort of money, i feel a vega 56 for $300 is a great middle ground. I love mine. maxed out settings with the high res textures at 60 FPS.

[JohnJSal]

Originally posted by RedhNine:

p.s. suggestion: get a ssd, if you can, of course. Not because it will improve your “performance” (because it won’t), but because of the impact it has on the system overall.

Thanks for the tips. And yes, I probably will get a SSD on the next upgrade. My current HDD is actually the same one from the original build back in 2008, so it worries me a little, but it's been a trooper so far!

[JohnJSal]

Is the 1050 Ti any good? I like the price of this one!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M25X363/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

[JohnJSal]

Originally posted by ♋Phenex:

Just get a 2060 or 2070. You'll get a pretty good FPS boost and should have no problems with new games for at least 5 years. And they're compatible with your current mobo.

Those might be a little pricier than I had in mind, but speaking of compatibility. What do I need to check to make sure whatever I choose works with my current mobo?

Yes, I built my PC myself, but for some reason the years in between builds see me completely forget all the technical details until it's time to upgrade again! :)

[Seamus]

Originally posted by JohnJSal:

Originally posted by ♋Phenex:

Just get a 2060 or 2070. You'll get a pretty good FPS boost and should have no problems with new games for at least 5 years. And they're compatible with your current mobo.

Those might be a little pricier than I had in mind, but speaking of compatibility. What do I need to check to make sure whatever I choose works with my current mobo?

Yes, I built my PC myself, but for some reason the years in between builds see me completely forget all the technical details until it's time to upgrade again! :)

Your motherboard compatibility should be fine. Even if your board only has pci-e 2.0, video cards are backwards compatible.

[Tamerlein]

I actually didnt consider your motherboard. I highly suggest just making a new budget build. Ryzen 5 1600 for about $100, b350 motherboard for about $100, 8GB ram for about $50(16GB ram for $100), then re use your drives and power supply.

A 1050 is probably good for playing mobas and some other games like that. But your better off paying the extra $150 for a mid to high end card that will let you play those games at higher settings and not have to upgrade again so soon.

[Seamus]

Originally posted by Foxidel:

I actually didnt consider your motherboard. I highly suggest just making a new budget build. Ryzen 5 1600 for about $100, b350 motherboard for about $100, 8GB ram for about $50(16GB ram for $100), then re use your drives and power supply.

A 1050 is probably good for playing mobas and some other games like that. But your better off paying the extra $150 for a mid to high end card that will let you play those games at higher settings and not have to upgrade again so soon.

God, no b350. They suck. Pay a little more and get a 450.

[Xande]

Originally posted by Seamus:

Originally posted by Foxidel:

I actually didnt consider your motherboard. I highly suggest just making a new budget build. Ryzen 5 1600 for about $100, b350 motherboard for about $100, 8GB ram for about $50(16GB ram for $100), then re use your drives and power supply.

A 1050 is probably good for playing mobas and some other games like that. But your better off paying the extra $150 for a mid to high end card that will let you play those games at higher settings and not have to upgrade again so soon.

God, no b350. They suck. Pay a little more and get a 450.

true

[Tamerlein]

Originally posted by Seamus:

Originally posted by Foxidel:

I actually didnt consider your motherboard. I highly suggest just making a new budget build. Ryzen 5 1600 for about $100, b350 motherboard for about $100, 8GB ram for about $50(16GB ram for $100), then re use your drives and power supply.

A 1050 is probably good for playing mobas and some other games like that. But your better off paying the extra $150 for a mid to high end card that will let you play those games at higher settings and not have to upgrade again so soon.

God, no b350. They suck. Pay a little more and get a 450.

I have had zero issues with mine and doing some quick searches online it doesn't seem like there is any issues with it at all. Regardless a new build is probably better in the long run

[JohnJSal]

Originally posted by Homer:

Just upgrade your GPU is enough, get at least a gtx 1070 or better

U will run any game with no problem

Thanks. I've been trying to find a "budget" way to do this, but I may just say screw it and go for at least a 1660 or 1660 Ti, if not full on with a 20 series card.