Do you have any suggestions for new components to upgrade your system?
Do you have any suggestions for new components to upgrade your system?
Hello everyone.
So, time has cometh for my old best friend to retire. It's 10 years old and has served me well, but with all the new games that are coming out that require more hardware and are optimized as good as aged milk, I noticed it's time to move forward and update some stuff.
Luckily I only need to replace 4 components: Motherboard, CPU, RAM and GPU.
I have some hardware in mind, but I lack some answers for some very important questions that I have in my mind (which prevent me from making a decision) and I cannot find them online. So, I wanted to ask to this community, because the last time I asked here, is when I bought the PC I'm going to retire now (you guys helped a lot). So, here it goes:
CPU
This time I decided to go with Ryzen. I'm not an intel fanboy, but I won't deny I had a preference for those i5's and i7's, but since the microcode disaster and the expensive and not very desirable core ultra, I decided to go with AMD this time. I don't want to test my luck and get a faulty cpu or discover in a few years that my cpu got rusted and i need to change everything again. Having said that, I have 2 cpu's in mind: The Ryzen 5 9600x and the Ryzen 7 9700x.
I chose those 2 cpu for a couple of reasons. Lower watt consumption and therefore, lower heat. I know the X3D series are on another level, but if I get one of those I would need to change my PSU (which I don't want) and I would need to get (probably) an AIO, which means more money, which I don't want to spend. Also, I don't consider the 7000 series because, again, watt consumption and heat.
So my questions regarding to those 2 cpu are: Which one would you recommend me? I play games like civilization and stellaris, and in the late game it gets laggy when I play big maps because, you know... old rig and the games need juice. Also, I do some light video editing for work. But besides that, it's mostly gaming.
The price difference between them is around 25% in the region where I am. So, Is there a significant hardware performance that justifies going to the Ryzen 7 instead of the 5? Will I have a noticeable impact while gaming those kind of games?
MOTHERBOARD AND RAM
Here I will go with the B850 that looks better and it's a decent price. The RAM will also be 32GB and i will try to get CL30 or 32. I would appreciate some brand recommendations, but i must emphasize NO RGB. I don't like it.
GPU
Well, here is another core dilemma, and this is a big one for me. So, my budget allows me one of these 2 gpu: RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9060 XT, both of 16gb of course. I can't go higher than those two because the price jump is so big in my region that the extra money would cover all the other components that I mentioned before and I still would need to put extra on top, so please bare with me.
Now I will tell you why I want each gpu and why I don't want each of them, and I hope you can give me your recommendation based on your experience, not benchmarks and such (I watched them all).
RTX 5060 Ti: I currently have a GTX 1060 6gb and that card is a warrior. I mean, not only its quality but it is stable, reliable and great overall, that's why I want to continue with Nvidia. It's been almost 10 years and never had an issue. On the other side, the reason I don't want this gpu is because it's damn expensive. I mean, daaamn!. The ones from Asus and MSI cost at least 35% more than the AMD ones. I know there are cheaper brands like Palit, Zotac or even Gigabyte, but I don't like them in regards of built in quality components and aestetics.
RX 9060 XT: this is the card that everyone is recommending and I have to say that it has caught my attention and I was almost decided to just get it. The XFX and Saphire ones (which we all know are top quality manufacturers) are very affordable my region and I have to say that I'm tempted. NEVERTHELESS.... the reason I didn't decide on it, is because I had 3 AMD cards in the past (more than 10 years ago... yeah, but still hear me out) and the main problem I had with them was with driver compatibility and mostly software issues. I don't want to deal with that anymore, and besides that, this gpu is, by viewing some benchmarks, slighlty behind the Nvidia. Not much, but still.
So, Is the Nvidia worth it compared to the AMD? Is the AMD having the same issues as I had in the past? Is there a significant performance difference between them to justify one over the other? I just want plug and forget, I don't want to deal with errors nor any other problems in the future, but I also don't want to eat rice and water for 3 months because I spent a lot of money needlessly when I could've had the same pc part but at a sensible lower price.
I am willing to sacrifice some budget for quality and peace of mind, but I would prefer not to do it if it is not necessary, hence this post.
Thank you for reading all of this and I greatly appreciate your recommendations.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer! Users are advised to stylize their threads with info asked of in this thread; *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel... forums. which helps lend context to your predicament and the community will chime in with worthwhile suggestions. Luckily I only need to replace 4 parts: Motherboard, cpu, ram and gpu. Please list the specs to your build like so: CPU: CPU cooler: Motherboard: Ram: SSD/HDD: GPU: PSU: Chassis: OS: Monitor: include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.
I don't think there are any particular problems with AMD drivers since Polaris. The whole RDNA series has been pretty smooth from everything I have read.
Nvidia has some advantages with DLSS, but for the most part AMD FSR can fill the same role. Ray tracing is as equal as it has ever been, and general compute performance is comparable. If the price difference is worth it to you, 9060 XT makes a lot of sense. GPUs are also fairly easy to upgrade if you ever need more performance later on.
If you are only gaming there is a little power draw difference between the 9600X/9700X/9800X3D/7800X3D/7700X. If you are planning on heavy workstation loads then the large 12 and 16 core chips make more sense than the X3D, but for just gaming, nothing better. Besides, if your PSU is ten years old, it is a good idea to preemptively replace it. GPUs have a lot more instant power demand then previous models, and getting an ATX 3.1 spec PSU is a good idea.
Without knowing where you are purchasing, hard to say what memory to get. Teamgroup T-Create Expert, Kingston Fury, G.Skill Flare X, Crucial Pro Overclocking are common RGBless sticks I recommend.
Matters little gaming wise. R7 9700X is slightly better, but not much.
Source:
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/amd-r...0x/18.html
Overall, depends on your budget. R7 9700X is nice 100 bucks more than R5 9600X,
pcpp:
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compar...sY,4r4Zxr/
IMO, 100 bucks for 2 extra cores and 4 extra threads is too much. Better go with R5 9600X.
King of games: R7 9800X3D does not need an AIO to cool itself. It will do fine with air cooler.
Heck, i, personally, am buying R7 9800X3D next month and i'll pair it with king of air coolers: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO.
King of air coolers will beat some of the AIOs and even the notorious Noctua NH-D15 (former king of air coolers);
review:
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/therm...ler/6.html
And all that for mere 54 bucks,
pcpp:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/BR...-e...it-120-evo
With B850 chipset, best is MSI Tomahawk Max Wifi. Also, doesn't have RGB on it.
For other options:
https://www.pcguide.com/motherboard/guide/best-b850/
(I'll be getting X870E chipset MoBo for my chip.)
Kingston, G.Skill and Corsair are good. They also have ample selection of non-RGB RAM.
Though, i suggest that once you've picked out MoBo, you look for memory QVL list and pick the RAM listed there. This way, there is a guarantee that the RAM will work at advertised speeds.
E.g for my upcoming build, i specifically picked Kingston Fury Beast RAM out of the MoBo memory QVL list, to ensure it works.
(Kingston is my own personal preference. Both of my current builds are also running Kingston RAM currently. One has DDR3 and another has DDR4.)
I'm more interested in your current PSU make and model (or part number)? Also, how old the PSU is, and was the PSU bought new or used/refurbished?
But i can answer about GPUs too;
Performance wise, it comes down to individual game;
Source:
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapph...oc/34.html
Personally, i'd go with Nvidia.
Nvidia drivers, usually, are better optimized than Radeon drivers are (less stutters/hiccups).
Also, RTX 5060 Ti can utilize DLSS 4, which is better than Radeon FSR 4.
Now, FSR 4 on 4K, is essentially equal to DLSS 4 in terms of image quality, but on 1440p, DLSS 4 is still better.
And there is, of course, game support issue for either of the two. FAR more games support DLSS 4 than those that support FSR 4.
Here's good article comparing the two of them,
link:
https://www.techspot.com/article/2976-am...upscaling/
While it is a long read, it has plenty of info about these two and at the end of the article, there is talk about game support.
Found also short (6min) video that compares the two as well (if you don't want to read that article);
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkGCwiEIdOA
Overall, DLSS 4 is a touch better than FSR 4, but main argument would be game support.
When you have mere 65 titles that support FSR 4, some 200 games that support FSR 3.1 but easy 700+ games that support DLSS 4, is there really much to think about which one to choose?
RTX 5060 Ti - DLSS 4 (or FSR 3.1)
RX 9060 - FSR 4 (or FSR 3.1)
That is, even if you are going to use frame gen and FSR/DLSS for more FPS and better image quality.
Maybe you're good with native and doesn't want to use those gimmicks at all.
I, personally, would use native. 60 FPS is good enough for me and i play on 1080p. I can even manage 40 FPS. Also, i play small/indie titles (including pixel art games) and i don't look towards AAA titles with fancy graphics, where frame gen and/or FSR/DLSS would be used.
Another argument would be power consumption;
GTX 1060 6GB - 120W
RX 9060 XT - 160W
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB - 180W
Hence why i asked about the PSU and why i'm more interested in the PSU than the GPU you go with.
Since PSU powers everything, it is
the most important component
inside the PC.
Hence why NEVER cheap out on PSU! Also, never buy used PSU either.
Thank you all for your replies and assistance! Now, as before, I’m going to break it down into parts:
- CPU
First, I want to make it clear that I avoid discussing prices since in my area they vary a lot. For instance, the differences between R5 and R7 9000 models aren’t significant enough if I finance the purchase. I’ve decided against the X3D because I think a 5060 or 9060 would be excessive (feels like overkill). Also, considering power consumption and efficiency, I’m open to using a good air cooler if it helps. I can only afford a 7000 series, so the 9000 X3D models are out of my budget. Regarding my power requirements, I’ll note this in this post.
So, should I choose the R5/R7 9000 series or perhaps the R5/R7 7000 X3D series? What do you think? Prices are quite similar here, around 10% to 20% difference.
Also, many stores are offering "tray" CPUs. The new ones cost much less, but it makes me a bit nervous. What are your thoughts on that?
- MOBO
I was also considering an MSI board.
- RAM
Absolutely, I’m leaning toward a good Kingston model, but if possible, I’d look into Gskil or Corsair (currently only RGB options available, and they’re pricey and rated CL 36/CL40).
- GPU
I’m increasingly favoring Nvidia. I’m split between MSI Gaming OC and Trio versions. Right now, I’m about 60% Nvidia and 40% AMD. My choice will depend on my budget.
- PSU
After reading some discussions and some technical details, I realized I was mistaken.
I own a Seasonic V2 with 620 watts – excellent quality and a solid PSU. The issue is it’s nearly ten years old. Even though it’s a reputable PSU, it’s starting to show its age. If I connect newer gear, there’s a significant risk, especially since the ATX 3.0/3.1 standard didn’t exist back then. So I’m looking for a replacement.
The one I checked suggests that the Corsair 850W RMe Series 80+ Gold or the 750W model is my best and most affordable option. The other brands available in my area are either unusual or extremely expensive, costing almost three times more than this Corsair.
I found myself chuckling a bit because the image you shared about the tray CPU setup is identical to what I’m using now (and needs updating). Exactly!! The Z170 and the 6600k with the GTX 1060 6GB were impressive machines and quite affordable at the time! It’s impressive that they lasted this long without any problems, errors, or minor BSD issues, truly proving we were in the good old days.
Anyway, I’m just going through the details. Thank you so much for the CPUs, coolers, and GPUs. I had similar thoughts before but wasn’t sure now. Also, your recommendations on RAM sizes are appreciated. I was curious about that since new coolers seem larger, and I wanted to see how they would fit with the RAM. Plus, I already have a 212 EVO installed, so if it fits well in my setup, I’ll have a solid benchmark. I plan to buy a new case because they’re cheaper and offer better ventilation than what I currently have, though I’m aware of the width constraints.
For the power supply, I’m using an M12II-620 EVO because it’s modular. The issue I face is that the PSUs available in my area aren’t top-notch. Well-known brands like Corsair, MSI, Asus, Thermaltake, some Lian Li and Coolermaster are popular, but they’re pricey. Other options are generic brands I’ve never heard of. I’ll check the list you sent and see what’s available locally. Yes, the list I was looking at was from cultistnetwork—oh, and I just realized the last update was in 2023!
One more thing. The distinction between a box CPU and a tray CPU is almost as significant as the PSU price. I don’t think those CPUs are problematic; my main concerns are shipping and handling. If I find a store nearby that sells them at similar prices, I’ll definitely get them. But if I have to order online, I’ll reconsider—unfortunately.
The PSU needs replacement because it's outdated. The Corsair RMe is sufficient.
PSU Tier List rev. 17.0g - Cultists Network
This list will assist in selecting the optimal PSU from numerous options available. Whether you're looking for budget-friendly or top-tier power supplies. cultists.network
Other available products include the MSI PRO B850M-P WIFI, AMD Ryzen 7500F, Deepcool AG620, Patriot Viper Venom DDR5-6000 32GB CL30, and RX 9060 XT 16GB.