Upgrade time, need some help.

[AnimalMother.]

So I originally built my current PC in 2010, along the way I've replaced a few parts that failed and added little bits like extra RAM, bigger PSU. However I now feel it's gotten to the stage where I need to give it more of a base overhaul. The standard I want to achieve is to be able to play squad high and ideally get another 2-3 years out of it.

Here's what I've currently got:
Samsung SH-D163C Black, 48x CD-ROM
Antec Sonata III Super Black Mini T
8GB (4x2GB) CorsairTwinX XMS3, DDR3
320 GB Samsung HD322HJ Spinpoint F1
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition,
MSI 770-G45, AMD 770, AM3, PCI-E 2.
AMD Radeon HD 6570 GPU

Where should I invest for the best increase in performance? Not really thought about a budget yet, but probably around 400-500GBP as a starting point.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

Squad at the moment dislikes AMD so that would suggest intel and mobo time. Sqaud like PR seems more CPU dependant than GPU.

If you are willing to OC pick up a K with a Z mobo and decent cooler. You could always find a 2500k, 3570K or 4670K and reuse your RAM.

I am happy with squad with my GTX970,

How much VRAM has your GPU got?

[AnimalMother.]

Thanks for the reply Ploddit, the GPU is 2GB DDR3.

It's been suggested to me on other forums to go with a new mobo/cpu/gpu combination using my other existing pieces. To me this sounds like a good idea, just now I don't know what I combination I should be getting.

[Geronimo]

As a baseline I would suggest something like this:

i5-4460
R9 380 (4GB model for increased future compatibility)
Asrock H97 Anniversary

If your PSU is "shit" you should change it out aswell. If you want to spend more you could replace the R9 380 with an R9 390 or a GTX 970. The R9 390 is faster and has a better price-performance ratio while the GTX 970 is more efficient power- and heat-wise.

I personally would also add an SSD for decreased boot/loading times and better system responsiveness.

[AnimalMother.]

Thanks for the suggestions there, had a quick look at those components online and they all seem to come well within my budget (well except the GTX 970!)

Forgot to mention that I'd be looking at a SSD in my original post, it is definitely something that I want to look at.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

I agree with the hardware above except if you want to OC.Squad is very CPU dependant ATM an awful lot of players are running OC systems at 4.5 Ghz, if you are interested but scared overclockers.co.UK used to sell ready overclocked hardware.

OTherwise get a K version CPU and Z mobo, other mobo considerations are size and required features, do you want USB 3, nice sound, SP Dif? Be careful about RAM, some boards won't work with some RAM so take the time to check Mobo and RAM manufacturer's QVL RAM lists for one that has your RAM listed for the board you are considering.

As the Z series are designed for OC they have the best electrical parts and heat management.

I unknowingly bought a twin 12v rail 500w PSU which didn't give the required 27A for my 970 4GB so I had to buy a second single 12v rail one - you have been warned.

I got the very popular Samsung evo 240 as IMHO you will fill a 120 pretty quick.