Upgrade or build?
Upgrade or build?
Hi there,
I’ve been a long-time visitor to this site and finally decided it's time to become an active member. I’m realizing that technology moves so quickly these days, and it's been a while since I last upgraded anything! I’m hoping you can lend me some advice.
I built my computer about five years ago, and it’s still performing remarkably well – I can play most games at high settings without any major issues. However, I’m starting to consider whether it's time for an upgrade or if building a completely new system would be the better option. I’m aiming to keep my costs down, ideally under $1500 if possible, and would really prefer not to go over $1000.
Here’s a rundown of my current setup:
* **Operating System:** Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
* **Motherboard:** MSI Z97 Gaming 7
* **Processor:** Intel i7-4790k Quad Core (4.0 GHz, LGA 1150)
* **Graphics Card:** MSI GTX 970 Gaming (4GB)
* **Memory:** G.Skill Trident X, 16GB DDR3-2400
* **Power Supply:** EVGA Supernova 750W (80+ Gold)
* **Solid State Drive:** Samsung 850 Pro, 256GB (SATA III)
* **Hard Drive:** WD Black, 2TB, 7200 RPM
Could you offer some guidance on whether an upgrade would be a worthwhile investment, or if starting fresh is the better path? If you think building new makes sense, are there any components I should avoid spending money on right now?
Honestly, the 970 is still a solid performer today—it consistently scores nearly 10,000 on Passmark. Ultimately, your gaming habits are the biggest factor; if you’re hesitant to buy a game because of potential performance issues, that's something to consider.
If you’re willing to spend around $1500, that's certainly enough for a complete system build, particularly if you already have components like your power supply, hard drive, solid-state drive, and operating system. DDR4 memory is also reasonably affordable at the moment. With a good case already in place, you really only need to focus on upgrading your CPU, motherboard, and graphics card—these are typically the most expensive parts, and you could easily assemble a high-end system for around $1000.
However, I’d recommend holding off until Nvidia releases its new 3000 series graphics cards later this year. Ryzen 4 will also be arriving soon, though I personally lean towards Intel processors.
Thank you Frag Maniac,
I really had no idea how the new hardware stacked up anymore so this helps a great deal. I was originally thinking about maybe getting a second 970 to crossfire but was amazed to see they seem more expensive now then the one I bought 5 yrs ago. Then I started to question just what made the new processors better than the 4.0GHZ 4790 Devils Canyon I have currently? Before long I just confused the hell out of myself. I appreciate your guidance on waiting for the new series to come out. I had seen info on the 2070 Super and 2080 Super but didn't know the next series was coming out so soon, I like the idea of saving a little money on these then. I have a Corsair case I am happy to reuse so your suggestion of doing the MB, CPU, and GPU only sounds interesting.
Decision sort of driven by spending more time at home playing (like many of us now), curiosity about Cyberpunk 2077 (like many of us now), and thinking of upgrading my 40" 1080p tv I use for a monitor to a new higher resolution model.
Thanks a ton, I really appreciate it!
AMD refers to multi-GPU setups as “Crossfire,” while Nvidia uses the term “SLI.” However, you shouldn’t expect to see much support for SLI these days. Nvidia's newest graphics cards have a major focus on Ray Tracing, and that’s reflected in the “RT” added to their RTX branding. Ray Tracing works by simulating actual light paths, creating realistic shadows and reflections – a process called ray tracing – unlike older methods that simply estimated them using rasterization. Interestingly, the 2000 series of RTX cards implemented Ray Tracing so poorly that very little of what you’re seeing is actually utilizing ray tracing; it's largely still relying on rasterization techniques. With advancements in both hardware and software within game development, the 3000 series should be able to utilize Ray Tracing far more effectively. That’s a key reason to keep an eye on its performance, in addition to the smaller size of the chips – which allows them to perform more calculations with less power.
Ahhh ok. That's very good to know, super glad I didn't go the multi gpu route then.
That is a great way of explaining the difference on the new technology, I thought it was just a performance increase originally. I will concentrate on researching motherboards and cpu's now and wait on the gpu then.
Thanks again!
If your current setup is working well, there’s no need to shell out cash for an upgrade. If you're considering new games, you can try them on your system first – if something doesn’t run smoothly, a new graphics card might be all you need to boost your settings and resolution. But don’t overlook other upgrades, too – things like a better monitor, keyboard, mouse, audio equipment, or even a comfortable chair can make a big difference. Those are the things you actually use and interact with, so investing in improvements there is often a better choice than simply replacing your core hardware. Just like upgrading a fast car – new seats and a great sound system are often more valuable than simply making it go faster.
I really appreciate the help, hang-the-9 – it’s been a big factor in all of this. It actually started with finding an amazing deal on a new keyboard, which then led to a mouse upgrade. Now that I’m spending more time at my computer, I've noticed my screen is starting to develop burn-in, so I’m seriously considering an upgrade to a 4K model. That's why I'm reaching out for everyone’s advice – I’ve started making some decisions, but now I'm just weighing whether to wait and buy components gradually or go for it all at once.
Here’s what I'm currently looking at, based on the advice I’ve received so far, keeping in mind both my gaming needs and what I want this system to do for work:
* **Existing:** Corsair 330R Titanium Case, EVGA 750 Supernova 80+ plus gold PSU, Samsung 850 Pro 256 SATA SSD, WD Black 2TB HDD
* **New:** Intel i7-10700K, Gigabyte GA-Z490 Aorus Elite, Scythe Mugen 5 rev-b CPU Cooler, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 - 3200 C16 (2x16), Adata XPG SX8200 PRO NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB SSD
I’m still doing a little research on a few things, but this setup is really starting to feel like the right direction. Also, my friend who’s building a new PC might be able to use my GTX 4790, which would allow me to pick up a 1660Ti in the meantime – I’m still considering that option. Thanks again for your support!
Let me show you this one: https://www.amazon.com/Staples-Hyke...t=&hvlocphy=9001834&hvtargid=pla-598050829604. Walmart has it for a little less in red: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Staples-Hyke....7UQAvD_BwE. It’s honestly the most comfortable chair I've ever experienced – seriously, it reclines incredibly well with a really supportive headrest, perfect for just kicking back and watching a movie or whatever you enjoy.
“Thank you! I’m going to take a look at it soon. Also, just wanted to clarify – my friend can use my old GTX 970. I recently got a 1660Ti and put it in this system for now, so I haven’t even had a chance to test it out yet – that's going to be interesting.”