While CPU performance seems to be leveling off, GPU performance continues to rise at a considerable pace, with each generation leaving the last generation in the dust. That may be great for gamers and graphics professionals, but depending on the monitor you use, there might be no point in upgrading any more.
Desktop monitors (I'm not talking laptops except for the high-end laptops) tend to vary in size from 20 to 24 inches for mainstream/standard monitors, and 27 to 30 inches for the high end. One thing all of the sub-24-inch and many 27-inch-plus monitors have in common is the resolution. They have pretty much standardized on 1920 by 1080. That's because 1920 by 1080 is the resolution for HDTV, and it fits 20 to 24-inch monitors well. Virtually all 2560 by 1440 monitors are 27 inches and larger.
Here's the thing: at that resolution, these new GPUs are so powerful you get no major, appreciable gain over the older generation. Unless you are using the next step in monitors, 2560 by 1440, upgrading to the new AMD R290 or Nvidia GTX790 is a waste of $500+. Yes, those cards really cost that much.
GPU power and pixels
The more pixels on your screen, the faster the GPU needs to be. With most everyone locked at 1920 by 1080, current GPUs are simply fast enough. When you jump from 1920 to 2560, that means millions more pixels to animate, and that's where the new, high-end GPUs see a notable jump in performance.
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