Do you want to improve?
Do you want to improve?
Hello, I'm exploring an upgrade for my current setup: a motherboard, CPU, and 16GB RAM. This time I'm considering switching to AMD, though I haven't delved into PC components in years. I'm particularly interested in gaming, video streaming, and occasional editing.
Do you have access to a MicroCenter close by?
Are you interested in purchasing something made or creating it yourself?
*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* Understanding the context is key here. This adaptation comes from the original *How To Ask For New Build Advice* post on Animal, tailored for discussions on forums. When reaching out, it’s important to note your location, budget, and preferred purchase site. Sharing your current system specifications will also be valuable, especially regarding parts you plan to reuse such as the CPU, motherboard, RAM, SSD/HDD, GPU, PSU, chassis, OS, monitor. Please also mention the age of the PSU along with its make and model.
Ah, sorry I missed posting the specs. It would be a DIY project, and I'm from the middle of nowhere in the USA with no microcenter, so I'd have to order online sadly. The budget would be about $600, but it could go up to $800.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ccGwGP
if you can, I'd prefer a CPU that lasts longer since I don't have much money for tech and tend to focus on other things.
Reviewing your parts list.
I think all those components are currently available?
Are you open to using the drives you already own?
What games do you play, and at what configurations? Are performance improvements the top priority for you?
Investing more in a new graphics card means you’ll need to cut costs elsewhere—like a cheaper motherboard or CPU. Your current motherboard limits how much you can upgrade the CPU.
How long have you been using that power supply?
If things got tough, you might still be able to reuse your memory and possibly the case.
You could find a reasonably affordable but effective cooler for under 50 dollars.
What kinds of games do you enjoy playing? Some are designed for CPU constraints such as Sims, MMOs, and strategy titles. Others require high-end graphics cards for fast-paced action shooters. Multiplayer games tend to involve many simultaneous players.
To test this, try running your own games but reduce the resolution and graphical effects. This can help gauge how much your graphics card is being utilized. An increase in FPS suggests your CPU can handle better graphics settings. If your FPS remains stable, it likely means your CPU is the limiting factor.
Upgrading your CPU on the existing motherboard is currently limited to the i7-7700K, which might offer a modest improvement—around 10%. You could find options around $75 on eBay if you're considering a upgrade. For Intel or AMD users, sticking with the current setup is usually the best path. If you need more powerful graphics, Tom's GPU hierarchy chart can help identify suitable upgrades. The 6700XT is already quite capable, but an upgrade may also require a new power supply unit.
Yeah, I plan to reuse the existing drives, plus I have some external drives and an MD2 drive that I mainly use for gaming. A new CPU, motherboard, or RAM would be what I need. The PSU and graphics card are still new, so I won’t be upgrading them for a while.
I play all kinds of games—MMOs to shooters—and run them at low settings. The CPU isn’t handling it well, so I thought it was time for a fresh CPU/motherboard/ram setup.
In this scenario with the available budget, I would consider a bundled offer such as the 5600X paired with DDR4, a new motherboard, a WD Black NVMe drive, and I’m uncertain about the condition of the power supply—though it should be fine if not a concern right now. Reuse your existing SSD for some capacity, keep your current cooler if you still have AM4 components, maintain the same memory setup since DDR4 is compatible, and retain your existing graphics card. This combination should perform well, especially with a capable FreeSync monitor.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
- Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
($111.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
- ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory:
- Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
($47.97 @ Amazon)
Case:
- Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
($65.00 @ B&H)
Total: $334.95
Costs cover shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria*
Generated by PCPartPicker
2024-10-01 03:01 EDT-0400
Or ...
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805937115185.html
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F $135.62
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU Cooler:
- ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler
($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
- MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
($139.99 @ MSI)
Memory:
- TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($85.99 @ Amazon)
Case:
- Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
($65.00 @ B&H)
Total: $320.97
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
*Selected lowest-priced components according to parameters*
Generated by PCPartPicker
2024-09-30 23:47 EDT-0400