Should I consider upgrading my 4-year-old system?
Should I consider upgrading my 4-year-old system?
I first purchased a custom-built PC on iBuyPower about four years ago. It has worked well for me, but the storage and memory limits are becoming increasingly problematic. I can already picture them worsening over time.
I’m wondering whether it’s better to upgrade now or hold off until later. Both the RAM and storage are making modern games much harder to play. Loading times for titles like Il-2 Sturmovik and Warhammer III are slow, and I often have to restart large games just to free up space.
The RAM is the bigger concern. I admit I play Star Citizen, but also enjoy Distant Worlds 2 and Galactic Civilizations IV, both of which suggest needing at least 32GB for expansive maps. Newer releases seem to be pushing this even higher.
The CPU is over four years old but still performs adequately. Should I upgrade just to future-proof it, or is the current setup sufficient? If I decide to upgrade, should I wait for the newer 9000 series models?
TLDR; Should I upgrade my system now or wait a bit longer?
Which nation do you hail from, what financial limits apply to you, and what is your decision threshold?
United States.
Price range $1500 to $2000.
Resolution 1920x1080.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor (($199.98 @ Amazon))
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (($35.90 @ Amazon))
Memory:
- Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (($62.99 @ Amazon))
Storage:
- Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (($104.97 @ B&H))
Video Card:
- Zotac Twin Edge GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12 GB Video Card (($587.99 @ Amazon))
Power Supply:
- SeaSonic FOCUS GX-750 ATX 3.0 750 W (($89.99 @ Amazon))
Total: $1081.82
Prices encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
If you're satisfied with the setup, opt for a focused upgrade rather than rebuilding everything from scratch. For instance, it’s a straightforward solution!
A 2Tb NVMe:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2V...-4...k002t0c101
One 1Tb model:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2x...-4...k001t0c101
Skip the HDD or reserve it for media storage. Suitable for applications needing slower read/write speeds, including games that don’t require rapid loading.
Set up a fresh Steam library on the new NVMe and transfer speed-dependent games to it.
A solid RAM package:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kX...16...c16d-32gvk
Two 16Gb modules totaling 32GB at a fair price.
You’re restricted to 32GB or 64GB (no 48GB like DDR5), so if you anticipate needing more than 32GB:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kG...-2...c16d-64gvk
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/vPLwrH/...464g320c6k
Choose between the reliable G.Skill or the more affordable Patriot Steel.
These options are reasonably priced, so that’s the recommendation.
Also, consider the mysterious PSU—check if it’s reliable or poses a risk.
You might enhance the system and resell components you install. Opt for the SSD for gaming needs and retain your existing HDD for photos, files, and similar data.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Phantom Gaming OC Radeon RX 7900 XT 20 GB ($699.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-850 ATX 3.0 850 W (80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX) ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1199.93
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Created by PCPartPicker
2024-06-24 15:45 EDT-0400
PCPartPicker List of Components
CPU:
*
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler:
*
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
*
MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
($142.27 @ Amazon)
Memory:
*
Silicon Power Value Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($94.97 @ Amazon)
Storage:
*
Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($104.97 @ B&H)
Video Card:
*
Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB Video Card
($799.99 @ B&H)
Case:
*
Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
($65.00 @ B&H)
Power Supply:
*
be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($99.90 @ Amazon)
Monitor:
*
Acer VG271U M3bmiipx 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz Monitor
($169.99 @ Newegg)
Overall Cost: $1852.98
Costs encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected parts based on predefined parameters*
Created by PCPartPicker
2024-06-24 16:32 EDT-0400
Your system is performing well, so it makes sense to enhance it by adding more RAM and storage. Why are you looking at a full replacement for $2000?
It depends on how high up the perf ladder you aim to reach.
If you prefer simplicity:
Remove the dirt from the interior.
Install the correct bios and drivers.
Ensure you have a quality power supply unit.
Swap the hard drive for an SSD.
Upgrade the RAM to a 2x16Gb configuration.
This should provide a significant improvement.