Explanation of why many hardware YouTubers think building a PC from scratch is necessary
Explanation of why many hardware YouTubers think building a PC from scratch is necessary
Hi all,
In nearly all youtube videos out there, I found info that it is not worth buying an old i7 like 4790.
But all those people do not take into account that some people, like myself, already have 4th gen motherboard so if someone has i3 or i5, buying and installing the best i7 is far cheaper option than building a new pc from ground up.
The price for i7-4790 varies, from 30 to 100$ depending were you buy it.
Buying a new PC (CPU,ram, motherboard or even a brand new case) can cost you over 500 $.
I personally do not see a point of buying new PC, if you still have room for improvement in your cpu socket.
So what do you think?
Cheers,
Constructing a PC relies on several factors:
Your budget
The intended purpose
The components you already possess
Of course, random YouTubers don't understand everything.
With a 4th Gen Intel motherboard, I wouldn't spend much on an upgrade.
The 4790 was a strong CPU back then. But that was a long time ago.
Individuals create these videos mainly to attract clicks and likes, aiming to earn income. They concentrate on topics they believe will draw the most attention and traffic, often obtaining content for free or through promotions from manufacturers seeking exposure. I still have a 4790 model in my storage for emergencies, but I won’t use it since it can’t output HDMI at 4k 60p.
With a 4th gen motherboard, a completely new setup costs significantly more than just replacing an old i7. Spending $400 on a new system is much pricier than simply buying an older CPU. To make a real upgrade worthwhile, you should have at least a Ryzen 5 5600. In Total War, the Ryzen 5600 offers nearly double the performance of the 4790, making it a better choice if you play strategy games and have funds available. Since I don’t play many newer games, the 4790 is sufficient for my needs. Additionally, with 24 GB of DDR3 RAM, adding more RAM would also raise the cost of a new system.
I completely understand that.
This is directly connected to your budget.
So, let's return to what the YouTubers mention...just ignore them.
Purchase a 4790, and make a smart move.
In fact, I currently have a 4790k system in another room. It hasn't been used in a few years.
I agree with USAFRet’s assessment; the 4790 model feels outdated now and would struggle in many recent and current games. Back then, my 8700K was great, but nowadays a modern CPU is necessary to keep up with mid-tier GPUs from Nvidia and AMD. I don’t play across all genres, though some demanding titles like A Plague Tale Requiem really test performance. It really depends on the games you enjoy.
Regarding your comment, it’s not necessary to build a full PC from scratch. You should evaluate the games you play and consider whether your current components can handle them, along with your preferred settings. Remember, even after upgrades, aim for at least three years of performance margin before replacing the system.
The YT videos are suitable for those who want the newest hardware. They’re also quite competitive across channels, which is why many build guides use them to attract attention. However, people aiming to upgrade should treat them with caution, as they should focus on what works best for their individual needs.