Intel i7-3770K released in 2020 offers strong performance for its time.
Intel i7-3770K released in 2020 offers strong performance for its time.
I don't think an upgrade is necessary just yet; the CPU has a minor bottleneck but it's not an issue. You might wait until DDR5 arrives in about two to three years at most. Then you can push with this setup. After the new consoles launch, we'll see how they affect games. For now, four cores and eight threads should be sufficient for gaming.
Collected the RTX inside the case after removing a spare drive holder that wasn’t needed. Ran different games at the specified settings with 1080p@60Hz. Black Desert (ultra), World of Warcraft (ultra 4K internal @ FullHD), Overwatch (ultra 4K internal @ FullHD), Fortnite (extreme) and Temtem (ultra). Everything ran smoothly as long as I didn’t feel any lag, so I followed @Ukyo82’s suggestion.
Negative, many 2gb and 4gb cards - The quickest DDR3 I own are 4x2gb at 2133mhz, giving me 8gb overall. In modern terms, that might not be enough for a gaming rig (most other components run at 1600mhz or less).
I still believe 32GB is too much. However, I have two extra storage options, so I could fill them up now.
I own a mid-range setup built around 2015. It features an i7-6700K processor, which gives roughly a 15% boost compared to the i7-3770K. My plan is to upgrade in about five to seven years, aiming for a newer system with an Intel i9 or possibly an RTX 2080 Ti if budget permits. I prefer using my own build rather than buying new regularly. My daily tasks run smoothly—Adobe, Microsoft Office, YouTube, streaming sports, web browsing, and even old AutoCAD work. I’ve tested various benchmarks but haven’t felt the need to push the machine further. The system is still solid for everyday use, and I’m happy with the current configuration.
You can purchase a set (2x8GB) TridentX DDR3 2400MHz for $70 to $90 on eBay. It requires patience; keep checking every few days as sales may appear in a few months. Stick with the waiting strategy on eBay. In reality, there’s little performance gain from 2400MHz compared to 2133MHz—it seems that 1600MHz offers the best latency. For newer systems using DDR4, 2133MHz is considered optimal unless you choose AMD models running at 4000MHz. Consider getting a DDR4 2666MHz laptop, as they’ve doubled to 1333MHz. If you’re a serious gamer, opt for an Intel 9th or 10th Gen CPU paired with a high-end GPU depending on your budget. For budget-friendly mid-range gaming laptops, spending $1k to $1500 is reasonable. The 2019 ACER Predator Helios 300 w 144Hz IPS screen with GTX 1660ti (available for around $949) fits the bill if you have a $1k budget. You can always upgrade components like memory, NVMe M.2 drives, and SSDs. It’s noted that these models ranked in the top three of mid-to-upper range laptops in 2019. My daughter acquired one with an RTX 2060 for video editing, rendering, photo work, and audio—she found it to be well-built with strong performance. The RTX 2060 offered minimal improvement over the GTX 1660ti, costing about $200 less. Lenovo, MSI, HP, and Eluktronics were popular choices, while ASUS struggled. RAZER and ACER Triton were top-tier options. I used an ASUS Maximus V Gen motherboard and expected a performance boost from the TridentX 2400MHz, but found no significant difference. Checking BIOS settings to enable XMP can yield better results. Sometimes my Samsung EVO 850 500GB SSD performs better than the TridentX, especially with 16GB RAM for smooth operation.
Delidding could harm the CPU if not handled properly. Increasing the Over Clocking by more than 20 percent over time may eventually reduce performance and cut lifespan, though managing heat can extend its life. Thermal Throttling is a common concern, especially when bottlenecks appear between CPU and GPU.
No changes required to your setup! Focus mainly on the bottleneck issue, especially with the top hardware you own. My system uses an ASUS Maximus V Gene with a 2x8GB G.Skill TridentX DDR3 RAM at 2400MHz (XMP), an i7-3770K processor turboing at 3.9GHz, a Noctua NH-L12S CPU cooler, an AMD R9-280X graphics card, a 850W modular PSU from Zalman, a Corsair 100R mid-tower fan, a Thermaltake Riing 120mm with high static pressure fans, a Samsung EVO 850 500GB SSD, Windows 10 Pro version 1903, and a Linksys AE2500 USB wireless adapter. I’m not a gamer, but my machine handles daily tasks smoothly. Adobe and Microsoft Office run well; YouTube, streaming ESPN3 for sports, web browsing, and I used to run AutoCAD but it’s better with more RAM and a faster SSD. I’ve tested various benchmarks and don’t feel the need to stress-test anymore. This system is 8 years old, a 3rd generation build, and I plan to upgrade around 2022—likely using an older Intel i9 series or RTX 2080 Ti if budget permits. My goal is to keep it running efficiently without constant upgrades. I’m considering an AMD Threadripper eventually but prefer Intel for now.