Im planning on upgrading my PC
Im planning on upgrading my PC
I shared this on my discussion about the new CPU. It seems it should have its own thread now. The Ryzen 3000 series is coming out, the 7th generation is gone, and Rocket Lake is just around the corner. I’m planning to upgrade my rig further since I have more than a 4K budget. My current setup includes an Intel i7 8700K at 5GHz, a Gigabyte z370-HD3, a Samsung 960evo 250GB SSD, an Asus RTX 2080 XT2, two monitors at 1080p (240) and 2160p (144), plus a 32GB 3600MHz Corsair Vengeance RAM. I’m considering a CPU change because Minecraft FPS is improving, Blender is having trouble with water simulations, and recording at 1080p240 drains my system to around 40% usage. I’ve also noticed some advice about selling my 2080 graphics cards for better models like the 3080 or 90. If you remember any specs I missed, let me know. Thanks!
CPU: For running simulations it's better to opt for a Ryzen 9 5900X, a suitable B550 motherboard such as the MSI B550 Tomahawk, and reuse your existing RAM. GPU: Check reviews of the new Radeon RX 6800XT/6900XT before deciding between this model or alternatives like the 3080/3090. The Radeon options should perform well for future 4K gaming thanks to their 16GB VRAM, though NVIDIA is likely to stay ahead for ray-tracing needs. You might see updates like a 3080 with more VRAM after the 6800XT results are in. We can't be certain yet. I'd probably upgrade your storage—currently you have only 250GB, mainly for the OS. A 2TB Intel 660p or Sabrent Rocket Q would work well for mass storage. And consider selling your 8700K, motherboard, and GPUs if needed.
Sure thing! Here’s a revised version of your message:
Hey, thanks so much for the ideas! But I have a few more points to add. First, I probably won’t choose an AMD GPU since it isn’t officially supported by many programs I’m using. For the CPU, there’s really no reason to wait for Rocket Lake—especially with this upgrade coming up at the end of the year. I’m planning to wait a bit longer.
Second, I have a 7200RPM 4TB hard drive with about 3.7GB of storage. Lastly, should I consider a second AMD GPU for a hackintosh VM/OS? I really like MacOS, but my MacBook isn’t new and my friends’ PCs aren’t great either. Sometimes I boot into Linux and use a VM, so I think an AMD CPU with a 3090 or similar native Mac GPU would work well.
Regarding the monitor, the one I have is quite cheap and I was thinking of replacing it soon. It has poor viewing angles and limited customization options, and its HDR performance is disappointing. That’s something to keep in mind too.
As for selling the old CPU and GPU, I’m not sure—I don’t really know how to do that. Also, my power supply is 850W, and I feel like it might be insufficient. Would I need a replacement? Thanks again for all the helpful info!
We're uncertain about how Rocket Lake will perform. In multicore tasks they may lag behind AMD, similar to previous generations. If your 4TB HDD is sufficiently fast, that's fine. However, for modern gaming I recommend a solid-state drive for quicker load times. I don't have any information on macOS or Hackintosh, so I can't assist further. Could you tell me what power supply you're using? Regarding monitors: The Dell S2721DGF offers excellent 1440p at 165Hz and is one of the top gaming displays available with great angles, colors, and responsiveness. For 4K options, the LG 27GN950 is the best choice.
I have a Corsair RM 850, probably that's what it is. For the Hackintosh, any Radeon cards work fine (or GTX 7 series). The hard drive isn't bad—early transfers at 100MB are quick, thanks to its cache and 7500 RPM. I haven’t changed anything yet, and I’m not planning to. The monitor is the Odyssey G9 for the ultrawide, which could be useful. It’s not a strict budget limit; I’m just trying to upgrade my gear. Right now I’m thinking about getting a 5900X or Rocket Lake if I wait, or maybe a 3090/80+ some Radeon card with a new PSU. Selling my 8700K and 2080s sounds like a good idea. Updated November 9, 2020 by Shuaiouke
The RMx 850W is a solid power supply. I own the same model. It comfortably manages my 3700X and 3080, and should handle a 5900X just fine. I highly recommend against using Samsung Odyssey monitors (as highlighted in my G7 review). They show significant quality control problems. For the rest, the 5900X paired with a B550 Tomahawk and a 3600MHz DDR4 memory kit makes a great starting point. Just get rid of anything you no longer need—wasting space isn’t worth it.
You're looking for a monitor that fits your current setup and offers better performance. Since you have two monitors already, consider ultrawide options with high refresh rates and resolutions above 26 inches. Make sure to check reputable websites for selling used parts to ensure quality.
why record in 1080p at 240 fps? that’s doable, but is it really necessary? just try 60 fps in Minecraft—it’s not great, but you can go higher. With a powerful X570 board and a custom loop, you can hit 3080 or even 3090. Overclocking helps too. Prices vary by region, so it’s hard to give a precise list.