Consider the next steps for improving your PC performance.
Consider the next steps for improving your PC performance.
Hi everyone! Here’s a revised version of your notes:
Hey all! I’m upgrading my setup with an I7-4790k 4.00Ghz motherboard from Gigabyte, paired with a Zotac GTX 3070 GPU (just bought recently). RAM will be 16GB total—2x Kingston 4GB DDR3 at 1600MHz and 1x Kingston 8GB DDR3 at 1600MHz. The PS will be Nfortec 80 Plus Gold 750W. I’m using a BenQ EL2870U 28" display at 60Hz.
I noticed the motherboard has a damaged 3.0 port, so USB 3.0 isn’t available. I’m considering switching to an AMD CPU for better gaming performance, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the change. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks!
Consider replacing your CPU and investing in a monitor with a high refresh rate. Let me know your budget and location for better suggestions.
If you can snag a Zen 3 chip, then that would be very much worth it for gaming to go AMD. Otherwise, you can go with either 10th gen Intel or Zen 2. They're virtually equal for all intents and purposes, trading blows here and there. In either case, you're one gen and done on the new motherboard purchase, so no easy future upgrade path, but given you've kept the 4th gen Intel for this long, that's probably not that big of an issue anyways. Unfortunately, because of where you're at, the RAM, motherboard, and CPU are intrinsically linked. You can't really upgrade one without upgrading all of them. That's a significant purchase all at once, but it will be a night and day difference and honestly necessary given you're rocking a 3070 now. That current CPU is a serious bottleneck for that card, virtually invalidating the purchase.
Thank you for your message. Your location is Spain, and you're considering a budget of 600-900 €. I'll provide detailed suggestions even if they go just a bit over that range. Let me know if you need anything else!
Hey! Actually, I'm diving into some AAA titles similar to Far Cry 5 or Destiny 2. I haven't run into any special issues, though some games don't work in ultra settings—still, everything seems okay. My goal is to upgrade these components for future projects, just like I did with the GTX 3070 a while back. I'm familiar with Ryzen stock and would recommend the I7-10700k, but I'm not sure if it's worth the change (and I don't need integrated graphics). As you mentioned, the main focus should be on the CPU, motherboard, and RAM. The power supply and display aren't urgent priorities right now. Thanks! PD. I'd like to keep going here.
Hey, sorry I wasn't able to spare time yesterday. I’d suggest a small change for your CPU setup if your motherboard supports it. The Gigabyte board would require extra cooling space and active cooling on the motherboard. Now, about the fun part—do you have a specific AIO you prefer for your motherboard and series? Options like ASUS ROG/TPU, Gigabyte Aorus, MSI, or ASRock are popular. Hardware unboxed usually gives good feedback, though they mainly focus on the VRM section. Still, they start by highlighting the board’s features, which depend on the CPU you choose. At your end, I’d recommend 16 to 32 GB of RAM. If you’re looking to save some money now, 16 GB might be enough for the games you mentioned, but I think sticking with that range is safer. The exact board will vary based on the CPU you pick. For memory, at your current stage, I believe you should aim for at least 16 to 32 GB. If you’re using an ATX case, it should allow future upgrades. I’d also suggest checking kits with CL16 latency and a 3200 MHz or higher clock speed. If you’re going with a Ryzen CPU, look for kits that mention Ryzen in the description—often there’s a Ryzen logo inside. Based on my experience, G.Skill memory works well, though I’ve mostly used G.Skill. Overall, consider a case with PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD if you have one. If your GPU is very powerful, it might not be a big issue, but it could still cause a bottleneck. It will likely be less noticeable, but keep that in mind. And if possible, wait for the next generation of CPUs or consider a Zen 3 if you’re serious about performance.
No issue at all! No specific preference for motherboard or brand matters as long as it works with your CPU. You mentioned needing up to 16GB of RAM, which is a solid amount. Your plan to use an ATX board for future expansion sounds smart. What do you think? Thank you!
Hmm I think that most of the board partners are fine, thought there might be better value. But you can find that out by checking reviews, like VRM performace by Hardware unboxed in youtube For the memory, I would go G.skill Something like cl 16 3200mhz About your CPU sitution If I was in your place, and felt confortable overclocking the current one I would go and get a beefier air cooler, that I can use with the next build, and wait out for a couple of months That is however up to you to decide if you are confortable doing just that Also, do you have a local retailer, which would suit you? Like for me to get reference pricing, because taxes varie inside the EU
I believe an i7-10700KF offers decent value, though Intel’s CPUs and boards are pricier. Compared to the Ryzen 5 5600X, you might get similar performance with a 5800X, but it doesn’t provide great savings. I wouldn’t recommend Zen 2 processors (Ryzen 3000 series) based on my view—they’re outperformed by newer Zen 3 chips. I’d advise against Intel’s 11th generation models, as they have fewer cores and threads, though they come with a built-in heatsink. If you can afford it, upgrading to a more powerful tower cooler could help. You might want to check local listings for better pricing options. That should give you a clearer idea of what fits your budget. @Paldrom