Is upgrading your CPU and motherboard worth it for a system in this price range?
Is upgrading your CPU and motherboard worth it for a system in this price range?
Hi All! I bought a canned gaming computer around 2020 and am considering upgrading some parts. I currently have a 29% processor bottleneck, but am looking to the community to help me with identifying what are
need to haves
versus
nice to haves
versus
no need.
As this will be probably be my first time upgrading parts, I just don't want it to be total overkill and basically an all new build - tell me if it is . After researching, it appears I can upgrade the processor within the same socket up to a 10% bottleneck reduction, or upgrade both the processor and motherboard now, and likely the GPU later if needed. Please let me know if there are other considerations I'm not taking into account (power supply upgrades, cooling, etc.).
Current System Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7-10700F
Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming B460M-Plus WiFi
RAM: 16GB DDR4
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070
Storage: 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD
Power Supply: 700W or 750W, I can't quite tell
Case: Mid-tower ATX
Approximate Purchase Date:
flexible, ideally before winter
Budget Range:
also flexible, a few hundred if upgrading processor within same socket, ~1000-1500 combined if I also have to replace the motherboard.
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Gaming - in anticipation for future game releases that may be graphically intense, maybe a bit of future proofing.
Are you buying a monitor:
No
Parts to Upgrade:
(e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM):
At minimum CPU, possibly also motherboard. GPU later if also required
Do you need to buy OS:
Don't believe so per Google
Will need a new OEM license as I may be upgrading my motherboard
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
NewEgg, Amazon, BestBuy but absolutely no preference
Location:
split time between Bay Area CA USA and Denver, CO USA
Parts Preferences:
Would like to keep intel processor for ease but not required
Your Monitor Resolution:
currently 2160 x 1440
Additional Comments:
I am relatively new to this and am unsure if any of these parts/entire thing are just overkill. From what I can tell, I can upgrade my processor with the same socket to lower the bottleneck by ~10%, but considering an overhaul in order to not have to do this again in a few years. Is a 29% or 19% bottleneck as 'bad' as I'm making out to be?
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:
I have a 29% processor bottleneck
as it stands. I do like playing some graphically demanding games like Cities Skylines 2, and will be playing the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
What other components (e.g. cooling, power supply, storage) should I consider upgrading to ensure compatibility and optimal performance?
Are there any other factors I should keep in mind when planning this upgrade within my existing micro-ATX case?
Thank you for even taking a look at this and helping plan a potential upgrade. Please let me know if this is also all unnecessary, I don't
need to upgrade
if it is all a stretch.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
($384.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:
*
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
*
MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard
($156.99 @ Amazon)
Memory:
*
Silicon Power Value Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($84.97 @ Amazon)
Total: $661.86
Costs cover shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria*
Generated by PCPartPicker
2024-07-15 22:59 EDT-0400
Bottleneck calculators are completely useless, disregard them. Still, for Microsoft Flight Sim, an x3d chip is essential. A $1500 investment would equip you with a reliable new rig. I’d suggest focusing on storage and the case based on the type you choose. A PSU from a prebuilt unit is unlikely to be of good quality.
Since you’re in Denver, you can visit Microcenter. Although I don’t prefer Asus, they offer a great deal that fits your budget and allows room for a quality power supply, cooling, and possibly a case and storage as well.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-a...ild-bundle
Their other AMD bundles.
https://www.microcenter.com/site/content...-save.aspx
To observe the system behavior, check Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Process Explorer (Microsoft, free). Use all three but only one at a time. Keep the windows open to monitor activity during idle, light tasks, browsing, gaming, etc. Review Task Manager under Startup and Task Scheduler for any unknown or unexpected applications launching at startup or triggered by the scheduler. Assess disk drive capacity—make and model matter. Replacing an HDD with an SSD might significantly improve performance. The goal is to confirm that slowdowns are due to hardware issues. This process is free and can guide necessary decisions.
Be amazed by the upgrade desire.
I’d face tough choices trying to convince myself what I need is replacing my current system, which is still useful but slower compared to newer options.
Excellent suggestions on components to consider moving ahead.
Curious if any games are causing problems or simply slowing things down overall.