What should I upgrade?

[Bigwillanderson]

My specs:

CPU: A10 5800k @ stock speeds
GPU: MSI GTX 670 PE
RAM: 8GB 1600Mhz RAM
HDD: 1TB 7200RPM Seagate Hard drive
PSU: Corsair CX600M Power supply
MBO: MSI FM2-A75MA-E35
Monitors: 2x1080p 21.5"

My question: What upgrade will give me the biggest boost in speed when running a Feed the Beast server (Minecraft mod pack) and Feed the Beast at the same time?

I also tend to have Skype and Steam open when doing this.

I haven't got a massive budget, so a new processor is not an option but I will have about £80 to spend. When doing all these things, my RAM usage goes past 6GB but never reaches 7GB.
The maximum amount of players on the server will be 6 people.

Thank you.

 

[Dorque]

Well, definitely not the monitors.

My recommendation would be, in the following order:

1. It's not a bad graphics card, but a better one would likely result in a performance boost for you; that is to say, it won't help the server much, if any, but your game will run better.
2. Doubling your RAM will honestly help, whatever your usage statistics say; more RAM means you can dedicate more to the server. It'll use it, promise; just make sure you know how to tell it to use it.
3. An SSD for the server would also speed it up somewhat.

 

[Bigwillanderson]

Thanks for the reply.
If I was to go for the SSD, how big should it be, if I put my operating system on it too?
Would upgrading to 1866mhz RAM help, or will it not make enough difference to bother?[DOUBLEPOST=1389201579][/DOUBLEPOST]Also, will I benefit from getting an aftermarket cooler and giving my CPU an overclock, or will RAM give me more performance?

 

[Dorque]

Thanks for the reply.
If I was to go for the SSD, how big should it be, if I put my operating system on it too?
Would upgrading to 1866mhz RAM help, or will it not make enough difference to bother?

Depends what the mobo can take - I think that model can handle 1866. But you'll get better mileage out of filling your RAM slots than the small boost faster RAM will get you.

You wouldn't need much room on an SSD for the OS and FTB. Even a very small one would do you but you can grab a 64gb these days for next to nothing, relatively speaking, which is definitely more than enough for Windows and Minecraft, with some slide room in case someone creates a bunch of Mystcraft ages in one night

 

[Bigwillanderson]

Ok, thanks for helping
I'll buy some more RAM and give both the server and the game some more RAM. If I have enough money left over, I'll grab a 64GB SSD too

 

[Dorque]

Sounds like a plan that will serve you well! Good luck!

 

[Bigwillanderson]

Thank you