Upgrade when necessary and ensure you have the required components.
Upgrade when necessary and ensure you have the required components.
I assembled my present system in September 2015 with a gaming focus. Prior to that, I played casually on my Xbox One but desired a dedicated PC for work (Remote IT Support). Here are the specifications... Corsair 200R Case, ASUS Z97-P, Intel i5 4690K (up to 4.7 GHz), Mugen 5 Rev. B CPU cooler, 8 GB HyperX Savage DDR3 1600 MHz (1 x 8 GB), EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC OC, Samsung 860EVO 500 GB SSD (OS), WD Blue 500 GB SSD, Samsung 850 EVO 120 GB SSD (older OS), Toshiba P300 3TB HDD, EVGA Supernova GS 650W PSU. I also have a 27-inch LED curved monitor (60Hz, 1080p). Recent upgrades have been made, yet I’m unsure if adding more RAM or tackling a CPU upgrade is necessary. My current RAM is sold out, so I’d need to purchase two 8 GB DDR3 kits to maintain capacity. When should I consider CPU, RAM, or GPU improvements? I’m contemplating a better case first—possibly with a tempered glass side panel. For the GPU, what’s the best upgrade from my 970? Would my i5 4690K at 4.7 GHz become a limitation for mid-range RTX or newer Radeon cards (around £300)? I plan to start in about a year, opt for a new case, switch to a Ryzen platform, keep 16 GB RAM, retain my SSDs, CPU cooler, and maybe upgrade the PSU if it supports newer components. Let me know if this clarifies things. Thanks, Gary
Only enhance when your current setup falls short of expectations. Specifically, if you're stuck with a 1080p/60Hz display or switch to a higher resolution, upgrade is necessary.
I used to run on a high-end i7 (i7-4770) and a 970 processor a few months ago. I believe anything under a 2060 super and 3600 clock speed feels like a modest upgrade, staying in the lower midrange range. Perhaps consider swapping to an i7 instead of an i5, though anything else would likely require a full system overhaul. As @Lorant suggested, don’t upgrade just because it’s old—upgrade only if performance suffers. If the CPU starts to lag, replace it with a new CPU and RAM combo; if the GPU works fine, stick with what you have. Around late 2020 to early 2021 is probably when the next-gen Ryzen and Intel chips will arrive, maybe even a new generation of NVIDIA graphics.
Lorant, for your next GPU upgrade, I’d suggest considering an AMD option. While you’ve used NVIDIA before, the performance gains from newer AMD cards could be significant, especially for 1440p resolution. A 2080 might suffice now, but planning for future upgrades could benefit from a more capable model.
Don't waste time planning for a future upgrade. Once you're ready, invest in the top hardware possible within your budget. Waiting is pointless since newer devices are consistently "better," and we can't foresee when they'll be released or how they'll work. If you're ready to upgrade now, proceed—share your budget and we'll assist you.
Consider upgrading your RAM if it could improve performance, or wait and plan a more extensive upgrade involving more memory, CPU, and overall system changes. RAM isn't costly, but missing it from a newer setup can be noticeable.
What's your RAM usage currently in Task Manager, playing games or whatever you do? *8GB is light IMO for a lot of gaming, and being single channel is a double hit. How much is another stick of 8GB same speed? That's the only thing I would upgrade. If you need more space, SSD's are good pricing but that's a need as you go. It's not an upgrade or sidegrade, it's just need. How are your peripherals? Sound, keyboard, mouse, etc? All as you like them? Good place to get some quality of life upgrades in.
Budgets for each part are outlined. MB: £90 CPU: £200 (considering Ryzen) GPU: £250–£300 RAM: sufficient for 16 GB DDR4 at 3000 MHz Later: £150 for a 1440p monitor (minimum 27") Thanks in advance for your responses so far.
When constructing today, this setup would fit well. PCPartPicker provides a comprehensive list of components. The CPU example is AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-core, priced at £169.98. The motherboard is MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX AM4, costing £118.97. RAM suggestions include Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB DDR4-3200 at £61.98. The graphics card recommended is Gigabyte Radeon RX 5700 8 GB GAMING OC at £299.99. All prices reflect Amazon UK rates, including shipping and taxes. Total comes to £650.92. This information was generated by PCPartPicker on 2019-12-18.
RAM consumption is presently between 40 and 50% once powered on. While running my current titles I’m approaching the 8 GB mark. I’m struggling to find a compatible stick, which makes me want to purchase a 16 GB unit (two 8 GB modules). I really like the appearance of the Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM. It would cost around £56 for a 16 GB package right now. I own a standard wireless mouse and keyboard (due to a disability, I can’t use my left hand for typing, so I’m using a one-handed Xbox One controller), a good pair of speakers with a subwoofer, and mainly rely on a 7.1 surround sound headset while gaming. I’m quite satisfied with this setup.