For a full replacement, change the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and RAM.
For a full replacement, change the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and RAM.
I am currently operating.
Asus Z87 ROG mATX
Intel 4670K at standard speeds.
32GB of 1600Mhz RAM
1 GTX 970, GigiByte.
With multiple hard drives, the biggest being 8TB.
This is primarily a gaming PC.
I am thinking about upgrading to a 4090 GPU but haven’t decided on a suitable CPU for this configuration, which would free up space for more memory and storage. I don’t remember my power supply unit, but I assume it’s 750/850 or higher. I’m aiming to replace the main parts while retaining all drives; with modern tech I could still use M2 drives and keep some 3.5-inch ones via SATA. My budget is around $1500, ideally without a case, PSU, or extra hard drives—just a couple of M2 drives would suffice. I plan to build this over 6 to 12 months.
I’m hoping to keep Windows 10 as the operating system, unless Steam, Uplay, or Epic suggest otherwise.
Would you have any suggestions?
Complete the form as much as you can and submit the results here. Reference link: https://forums. Reason for this? The RTX 5090 is presently the top GPU available. If you aim for the absolute best, then from a CPU perspective: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D leads in gaming performance. For an RTX 4090, that’s double the advantage. Power requirements should be at least 1.2kW, preferably 1.6kW (1600W). A new PSU is essential, particularly if you opt for the RTX 4090 or 5090. A suitable PC case is also important, unless your existing case is already adequate. Refer to the form I linked above for guidance. If you need help understanding how to complete or format the list, you can use the example I provided last month (as I’m planning a new build/upgrade), link: https://forums.
There are no solid suggestions here, though the usual advice is 9800X3D plus RAM plus Mainboard. However, there are some key details about your plan and budget (assuming the price list doesn’t include a GPU, as a 4090 usually starts around 3K USD):
- You should get a PSU, ideally 1000W, keeping in mind its age—it’s crucial, as a failing PSU can cause serious damage to other components.
- When looking at case options, check sites like Newegg. You can see the dimensions of your selected GPU and confirm if it fits in your current case. Some 4090 models are quite large.
- Remember that cooling needs have increased significantly since you installed the system. A single RTX 4090 will draw as much power as your whole setup, so proper heat dissipation is essential.
- You can keep the existing drives; a few from that time are still working fine (just showing signs of rust).
The budget should cover $1,500 if we exclude the video card cost, which is necessary.
Your expectations seem a bit high.
You’ll have to swap out the power supply and build from scratch essentially.
Here’s a quick reference list:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core ($469.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit EVO 69 CFM ($49.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock X870 Pro RS ATX AM5 ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 Blade 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVME ($137.50 @ Amazon)
Case: Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB ATX Mid Tower ($112.50 @ Adorama)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 1350 W ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Grand total: $1354.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker
2025-04-21 13:32 EDT-0400
What is the model of your device?
You might consider upgrading to an I7-4790K for around $60 on eBay.
Overclocking could boost your system's performance by about 35%.
If your cooling solution is standard, you may need a replacement.
Additional components would require a new motherboard.
B760M boards are affordable and compatible with DDR4 RAM.
They work with 12th, 13th, and 14th generation LGA1700 processors.
The newest 9000 series from AMD and the Ultra 200 from Intel are also available.
AMD X3D chips are popular for gaming here.
Here’s a revised version of your text:
I’m really surprised by the amount of feedback you’ve shared, especially regarding the cost aspect. I’ve been out of touch with component prices for several years. My desktop was built around 2011, and I kept it mostly as is, except for adding more storage—lots of hard drives! For the GPU, I’d need to upgrade to a high-end model around 2060, which would be necessary to play certain games my current setup can’t handle. I’m expecting the upgrade to cost well over $1500.
Could you help with some clarification?
I think the price of the 4090 will drop soon, making it a decent starting point for a GPU. Thanks for your suggestion on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D—I was considering an Intel i9 instead.
Regarding the PSU, I haven’t used a power supply exceeding 1000 watts since the days of running Tri-SLI. I currently have two desktops: one with a Virtual Server inside a Fractal Design Pop XL Silent Black ATX case, and another gaming PC in a Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-05 CC-9011138-WW black steel/plastic window panel mid-tower case. Either would work fine.
This has been a real eye-opener. I was planning to upgrade to a solid PC for Windows 11 over the next few years, but my budget of $1500 seems too tight. Thanks for all your input—I’ll have to reconsider. Maybe I’ll opt for a laptop with a 4060/70 instead and skip the hassle. Some are selling for under $1000 or a bit more at Best Buy.
Wow!
The good news is you won’t have to buy an RTX 4090 or a Ryzen 9800X3D to play modern games. You can significantly reduce costs by choosing a Ryzen 9700X or 9600X instead, and you’ll also save on the motherboard and opt for less demanding graphics cards, which means no need for a power supply rated above 1K. You can still enjoy a decent gaming experience at 1440p, even with a 9600X paired with an RTX 5060Ti 16GB combo, which would cost around $750. The remaining budget should comfortably cover the rest of the setup, excluding the monitor.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz, 6-core processor ($221.37 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ENDORFY Fortis 5 CPU Cooler ($39.90 @ ModMyMods)
Motherboard: ASRock X870 Pro RS ATX AM5 ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB), DDR5-6000 CL30 ($99.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 Blade 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD ($137.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC SFF GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB ($619.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Focus 2 ATX Mid Tower ($79.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1508.60 (includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts)
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-04-21 17:32 EDT-0400
I own two older, lower quality monitors for my gaming setup. one is an extremely old Asus 24-inch with 1920x1080 resolution, and another is a 3-year-old ASUS 32-inch also at 1920x1080. My resolution needs aren't very demanding.
It's really impressive that a budget 5000-series model runs cheaper than a higher-end 4000-series, but I think the 4090 offers a bit more performance than the 5060.