Upgrading my rig
Upgrading my rig
Hi,
I wanted to confirm if this is the right location for my query.
My current setup includes:
Intel Core i5 4670K (overclocked to 4.0ghz)
Corsair H60 Water Cooler
256gb SSD (main system)
256gb SSD (games)
Gigabyte Z87N-WIFI MOBO
CORSAIR Vengeance Low Profile 8GB
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980Ti "Reference Design" 6144MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (default cooling)
If I were to assemble a new build with these components, what performance improvements could I expect? Any gains?
I also have an Intel Core i7 5820K (overclocked, possibly around 4.0), custom CPU cooling, ASRock X99 Fatal1ty Professional E-ATX board, Corsair 16GB Vengeance LPX Red at 3200MHz, and a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980Ti "Reference Design" 6144MB GDDR5 PCI-Express card with water cooling.
You don’t have to replace your CPU or graphics card. What’s the issue with your i5 4690k running at only 4.0 ghz? It seems your motherboard might be restricting its performance, as you’ve observed. If anything, consider upgrading to a Z97 model; Gigabyte offers a good option for around $89. You might also need a different case—unless you’re using a mid-tower, which is still a decent upgrade. Cases from Corsair, such as the Carbide series, are available for about $50 and can boost your build.
Your CPU isn’t reaching its full speed because it hasn’t been optimized to its maximum potential. Your motherboard likely limits what you’ve seen. The cooling setup should be adequate, especially with the H60i model, but upgrading to an H80i would further enhance performance.
One of my gaming setups uses the i5 4690k at 4.6 ghz with a H75i liquid cooler in a Rosewill Challenger U3 mid-tower. It runs a Gigabyte Z97 motherboard and 16 GB of Crucial Ballstix at 1600 ghz, paired with a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming GPU, a CX750M PSU, and I haven’t found any game that consistently hits 60 FPS at full settings. My system runs on a 120 GB SSD with the rest on a 2 TB HDD.
In terms of gaming performance, the difference between an i7 and an i5 is minimal. I’d recommend investing in a better motherboard and case (if needed), plus a 2x8 GB RAM upgrade if you have the budget. A regular 2 TB SSD would be beneficial, as it can improve load times and overall responsiveness.
You’re unlikely to notice a significant FPS boost by switching from an i7 to an i5. Instead, focus on upgrading your hardware for better stability and speed.
Also, are you experiencing problems with your GPU's cooling? I'm confused about why you'd need the same GPU but with water cooling. With adequate case airflow, you shouldn't be facing overheating issues with a GTX 980Ti. The manufacturer's recommended maximum temperature is 92°C, but I doubt you're reaching that level. As a general guideline, keeping the GTX 900 below 85°C is acceptable.
I've pushed my GPU to its limits and it never exceeded the mid-60s Celsius range without additional cooling, just proper case airflow and cable organization.
J-Roc and The Rockpile :
You don't need to upgrade your CPU or GPU. Why are you only at 4.0 ghz with your i5 4690k? I'm assuming your motherboard is limiting you from what I've read on it.
If anything, buy a Z97 motherboard, Gigabyte has a nice one for $89. You may need to get a different case (not sure if you bought a mid tower or not) but thats a cheap upgrade too, they have very nice cases like the Corsair Carbide series for around $50 depending on what you bought.
You aren't seeing performance because you haven't unlocked the true potential of you CPU. Your motherboard is likely holding you back. The cooling should be fine, as H60i's are pretty good, but you could always step it up to the H80i as well.
One of my current gaming rigs has the i5 4690k at 4.6 ghz with a H75i liquid cooler in a Rosewill Challenger U3 mid tower with a Gigabyte Z97 motherboard and 16 gb of Crucial Ballstix at 1600 ghz, a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming edition GPU and the CX750M PSU and I haven't come across a game that I can run it at maxed out settings at 60 FPS. I have Win10 on the 120 gb SSD and the rest on a 2 TB HDD.
You aren't going to see much of a difference gaming-wise between the i7 and the i5, so I'd spend your money on a new motherboard, a new case (if you need it), and a 2x8 GB kit of RAM (if you have extra money, definitely not necessary). I'd probably throw in a regular harddrive in there because you are cutting it pretty close with the amount of storage you have. Only certain games will you see an FPS difference installed on an SSD vs a regular HDD. Seagate has 4 TB HDDs on sale for $99. I'd suggest at least 1-2 TB of something.
You definitely do not need to change out your GPU.
No point at all in 3200 mhz RAM...if anything I would just upgrade your RAM to a 16 GB kit at 1600 mhz.
Also, you really, really don't want to fill your SSD's past 75% of their storage capacity, otherwise you may see a dip in performance. I try to stay around 60% as a general rule.
Hi,
Thanks for the reply dude
I have the i5 4670K, not the 4690k. I was overclocking it to 4.2 but I was running into some over heating issues whilst playing BF4 for 2-3 hours straight, it would go to about 80 - 90 degrees and the game would lock up for a few seconds, so I set it to 4.0 which seems more stable.
Performance wise, these are my game stats :
Witcher 3 max settings with hair on: 55 - 60 fps
Assassins syndicate max settings: about 45 fps
Battlefield 4 max(ish) settings: about 70-80 fps
Most games the CPU temp is about 75 - 80 degrees at load.
So not getting bad performance, I've just got the new rog swift (PG279Q) (I'm actually on my 3rd one cos I keep on getting some issues with them but that's another thread
) so my monitor is set to 120hz, so my games need to be max fps so i can try to match my monitor hz while still keeping the settings to high.
My 980 TI is awesome and performs nicely, the reason I'm thinking of water cooling is 2 fold.
1) it's noisy as f**k, so should keep it quiet.
2) I'm lead to believe one of the reasons these cards keeps a stable 83(is) degree temperature is it throttles back the clock, so by keeping it as cool as you can you can get max performance of the card.
plus if I can keep it cool, I might be able to overclock it slightly.
The other reason I'm thinking of all that kit, mainly the I7 is I'm thinking of getting another 980 TI and then I will definitely need the power of an I7, but was curious of the performance gain I would get if I just kept 1 card with the upgrading to the mentioned kit?
I'm sorry, I misunderstood your CPU placement... Still, the gap between the two CPUs isn't huge; 70k and 90k are quite similar. You should be able to push performance up to at least 4.4 to 4.5 ghz with a solid chip, proper cooling, good airflow in the case, and a motherboard that supports it. It's likely the motherboard won't handle such an overclock due to its miniITX size and potential overheating. Many people face this problem when they attempt to build a PC and use a microATX board for overclocking. Most of these boards are limited to minor overclocking at best.
My top recommendation would be to upgrade to a better ATX motherboard, pair it with a well-ventilated case and ample fan mounts.
Purchasing another 980Ti is a poor use of funds since you're not fully utilizing your existing unit.
Having two 980Ts adds little value unless you plan to run 4K on an unusually large monitor. You're probably not reaching the full potential of your first one, so why buy a second? I've successfully overclocked a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 and achieved solid results without overheating.
You'll need a higher-end motherboard (and possibly a better case) to support more overclocking, dual-channel RAM, and better airflow. Running SLI with 980Ti units is essentially a waste unless you're highly experienced and certain about your needs. Most people jump on the SLI trend without fully understanding the implications.
You've mixed together several components that don't quite fit together well. Simply increasing your PC's budget won't guarantee better performance. It's important to choose parts with solid reasons behind them. Unless you're aiming for maximum graphical intensity, running 980Ti units shouldn't be a priority.
I'm not suggesting you discard your current setup entirely—just that the existing configuration isn't optimal. The system I've seen with a miniITX and a 980Ti often struggles with overclocking due to heat issues.
I'm not trying to offend or criticize anyone here... it's just that my experience shows this path rarely pays off unless you're well-informed and committed.
However, I’ll admit there are methods to adapt what you already possess and simply incorporate a few additional components, which will make your gaming setup significantly more efficient and powerful.
Also, just a heads up, i7 processors don’t offer much extra benefit for gaming compared to i5 models. While i7s shine in demanding productivity tasks, business, scientific, or industrial applications, I rely heavily on them for daily work—it would be overwhelming without one. Similarly, owning a laptop without an i7 is a real no-go for me... I’m spoiled!
For desktop gaming and everyday use, your CPU is more than adequate—just ensure you have the right motherboard to enable overclocking. Many users with the 4670k have successfully achieved stable overclocks up to 4.5 or 4.6 GHz.
Your main concerns seem to be the limitations of your motherboard and possibly the compact size of your case, which can hinder overall cooling performance. If you’re not happy with the cooling in your H60i, consider upgrading to a more robust model like the H80i or H100i. I recently upgraded from an H75i for a better price while keeping my i5 4690k stable and running at 4.6 GHz.
In short, your priorities might be mixed right now, but that’s perfectly okay. No one is flawless, and most people adjust their builds over time. I run a variety of PCs—from budget builds to high-end workstations for labs—and I’ve learned from my mistakes. You have a solid selection of components; just mix a few different ones that fit your needs, preferably at reasonable prices.
If you’re serious about adding another 980Ti for SLI, go ahead—but start with what I’ve suggested first. You can always upgrade later. These GPUs are consistently priced well and offer strong performance. nVidia’s drivers are more reliable too, with fewer issues compared to others. I’ve had to replace many R9 290x units through the RMA process, but I still have a functional PC running an OC’d FX-6300 at 5.0 GHz (cooled by a H60i!) paired with an Asus R9 270. That’s a great value for the price I paid back then.
My mistake, I misinterpreted your CPU there... Still, the gap between the two CPUs is minimal, between 70k and 90k. You should be able to push it up to at least 4.4 to 4.5 ghz with a solid chip, proper cooling, good airflow in the case, and a motherboard that supports it. It's likely the motherboard won't handle such an overclock due to its miniITX size and possible overheating. Many people face this when trying to budget a PC build and use a microATX board. Most of these boards only allow minor overclocking at best.
My top priority would be a better ATX motherboard, a well-designed case with strong airflow, and ample fan mounts.
Purchasing another 980Ti is pointless since you're not maximizing its performance. Two 980Ts are even worse unless you plan to run 4K on a very large monitor. You're missing out on the full potential of your first unit. I've had a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming and successfully overclocked it without overheating. You just need an aftermarket cooler—brands like Asus Strix, Gigabyte Windforce, or EVGA work well.
With a single 980Ti, you should be able to run most games smoothly. Many aftermarket cooling solutions are subpar, which is why your GPU tends to overheat and throttle. You'll need a better motherboard (and possibly a better case) that supports dual-channel RAM and allows more OC. Running SLI with 980Ti units is essentially a waste unless you're extremely graphics-intensive. Unless you're certain about it, sticking with one unit is smarter.
You've mixed parts together in a way that doesn't make much sense. Spending more money on your PC won't automatically improve performance. Always choose components with solid reasons for their selection. Unless you're aiming to save space, I'm not convinced a miniITX is the right choice. These small boards usually struggle with overclocking and tend to overheat easily.
You seem to have a confusing mix of parts that don’t quite fit together. Investing more in your PC won't guarantee better results. You should always justify each part with a clear purpose. Unless you're really focused on high-end graphics, I'm not sure about a SLI setup. Most people jump in without thinking too much.
I built my system two years ago for indie development; my main role is software work for a big company, so I didn’t need a GPU. I chose a small case (BitFenix Prodigy) but recently bought a GPU and it’s a bit of an odd choice.
My CPU temperature hits 85–90°C under load when I push it to 4.2 or higher, let alone 4.6. Plus, the case cooling isn’t ideal for a gaming rig.
I didn’t plan to buy another GPU for a while—it was mainly for future-proofing. But if I keep most of my gear, costs will stay low.
The i7 doesn’t offer much extra gaming performance, but it helps with SLI setups?
So here’s what I’d suggest:
Corsair 780T PC Case
ASRock Z97X Killer
Corsair H110i GTX Hydro Cooler
And keep the rest of your components?
Red0s:
J-Roc and The Rockpile :
Sorry for misunderstanding your CPU there... But honestly, the difference between the 70k and 90k is minimal. You should be able to push it up to around 4.4 to 4.5 ghz if you have a solid chip, proper cooling, good airflow in the case, and a motherboard that supports it. Probably the board won’t handle it well since it’s a miniITX and likely overheats. Many people face this when trying to build a PC on a budget and overclock with a microATX board. Most of those boards only allow minor overclocking at best.
My top suggestion would be to upgrade to a better ATX motherboard, a case with strong airflow, and plenty of fan mounts.
Buying another 980Ti is a waste of money because you won’t get the full performance from your current unit.
Two 980Ts are even less useful unless you plan to run 4K on a very large monitor. You’re not reaching the maximum potential of your first one, so why buy another? I’ve got a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming and I pushed it hard. No overheating issues there. Just need an aftermarket cooler (like Asus Strix, Gigabyte Windforce, or EVGA...) though I’m not very familiar with them.
You should be able to run almost any game smoothly with a single 980Ti out of the box. Reference design cooling is often terrible—extremely bad in this case.
You’ll need a better motherboard (and probably a better case with improved airflow and more fan mounts) to allow more overclocking and dual-channel RAM. Running SLI 980Ti chips is essentially a waste unless you’re very experienced and know what you’re doing. Most people jump on the SLI trend thinking more is better, but it’s not always true. Unless you’re doing highly graphical tasks, your GPU should be fine.
You’ve got a mix of parts that don’t really make much sense to me. Spending more money on your PC won’t automatically improve performance. You should always choose components with good reasons for their selection and why they fit together well. Unless you’re trying to save space, I’m not convinced about going with a miniITX.
I don’t think you should completely ditch your current setup just yet. The setup isn’t working well enough, so it’s understandable you’re facing these issues. I haven’t seen anyone with a miniITX and a 980Ti before unless they really prioritize saving space. Those small boards usually struggle with overclocking and overheat easily.
You seem to be mixing things up quite a bit. Putting more money into your PC doesn’t guarantee better results. You should always justify each part with a clear reason, especially if you’re looking to save space. Unless you’re really focused on maximizing performance, I’m not sure the minITX is the best choice for you.
By the way, that Bitfenix Prodigy is a really cool looking case. Props on that little thing.
The Corsair 780T is an awesome full tower case...if you want a bit more "flashy" one the Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 ($115 right now I believe) is another good one. Another good full tower option that's a little more conservative but still has a nice look to it is the Thermaltake Core V71 E-ATX ($120 right now). Obviously, make sure whatever case you end up with has a 280 mm mount for the H110i you plan on getting.
This is where your opinion matters the most, because the last thing you want is a giant, obnoxious looking full tower that you get to stare at everyday. I usually prefer the windowless models, as I don't really care about my GPU "windforce" logo in blue LED. Plus metal sides typically have more fan mounts which I'd take any day over a window. But to each his own!
Also, I'm not sure where you are buying your parts from, but Amazon has the MSI Z97 Gaming motherboard for $146. That MOBO got nothing but great reviews. The Asus Z97 is also around the same price (I think $155) and IMO Asus makes the most reliable motherboards in the industry.
J-Roc and The Rockpile :
Red0y0s :
J-Roc and The Rockpile :
My bad, misread your CPU there....That being said, there is very little difference between the two CPUs, the 70k and the 90k. You should be able to get an overclock of at leas t4.4 to 4.5 ghz if you got a decent chip and are properly cooling it, along with decent airflow through the case, and a motherboard that will actually allow it. More than likely the motherboard cant handle that kind of overclock because it's an miniITX and is probably overheating. A lot of guys run into this issue when they try to budget build a PC and try to OC using a microATX board. A majority of those boards can only handle slight overclocking most of the time.
Number one my list would be to get a better ATX sized motherboard and a decent case with good airflow and plenty of fan mounts.
Buying another 980Ti is a waste of money considering you aren't getting the full performance out of your current one.
Two 980Ti's is even more pointless unless you are planning on running 4K on some ridiculous sized monitor. You aren't unlocking the full potential of your first one, so why get a second? I have a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming and I agressively overclocked it. No heating issues there. You just need an aftermarket brand that has a good cooling system (Asus Strix, Gigabyte Windforce, or EVGA...but I'm less familiar with those)
You should be able to max out pretty much any game out there with a single 980 Ti out of the box. Reference design cooling is often awful and by awful I mean extremely sh*tty, hence why your GPU is so loud and throttling back.
You need a better motherboard (and likely a better case to fit that motherboard and one with better airflow and lots of fan mounts) which will allow you to OC much more, and dual channel RAM. Running 980ti's SLI is just a complete waste of money IMO, unless you know exactly what you're doing and why you're doing it. Everyone jumps on the SLI bandwagon because they think more is better. Not always the case. Unless you are doing something much more graphically intensive other than gaming, your GPU is perfectly fine.
You've kinda got a mish-mash of parts that don't make a whole lot of sense to me. Throwing more money at you PC isn't going to necessarily translate into better performance. You should always be buying parts with reasonable justification as to why you are buying them and why that combination makes sense. Unless you are trying to save as much physical space as possible, I am lost with the choice of a minITX.
I don't think you should completely abandon your current system, just the current hardware set-up doesn't make a ton of sense, hence why you are running into performance issues. I can't say I've seen someone with a miniITX and a 980Ti before, unless space saving is really that much of a priority. Those small motherboards usually cant handle OCing and overheat very, very easily.
I'm truly not trying to be a d*ickhead or hate on you...it just kills me when guys spend all their hard earned money on stuff and put it together and it doesn't work out like they had envisioned it to...but that's why you are here, and there's never a stupid question to ask on this forum...so please don't feel offended or judged in any way, that is not my intention with this whatsoever.
I built my PC 2 years ago just for indie development (my main job is software development for a large company) so I didn't want a GPU cos I know what I'm like and I would just play games instead of work. That's why I opted for a small case (bitfenix prodigy) but a few months ago I got the itch and bought a GPU that's why it's a bit weird
I'm sure my H60 isn't performing right cos my CPU temp is about 85 - 90 at load when I overclock it to 4.2, let alone 4.6. Plus as you said, the cooling of this case isn't great for a gaming rig.
I wasn't planning to get another GPU for a while, the i7 was mainly for future proofing when I do get one. But I suppose if I keep most of my stuff it will keep the cost right down for now.
I know the i7 doesn't give you much more for gaming but it helps for SLI right?
So maybe these components then?
Corsair 780T PC Case
ASRock Z97X Killer
Corsair H110i GTX Hydro Cooler
And keep the rest of my components?
Future proofing is never worth it IMO. It's just money thrown out the window...money that could be spent towards meaningful components that will actually have an impact on your performance NOW. In the future "if", and I mean IF, you ever run into the situation where you'd need that component, then buy it then. It'll likely be cheaper too.
Those components are perfectly fine, and quite nice actually. I'd consider buying another stick of 8 GB RAM to
exactly
match your your single stick, or just start over and buy a 16 GB kit (2x8) so you'll have dual channel memory. If you buy an additional stick instead of a whole new kit, make sure it is the EXACT same model. Otherwise, good RAM dual 16 GB kit's are only going for $70ish these days, so get that and call it a day. I really wouldn't waste money on higher frequency RAM, as again, it doesn't jack squat for gaming, unless you are running an AMD APU. So find a reasonable 16 GB (2x8 GB) 1600 mhz kit and you are good to go.
All of the experts I've learned from still tell me i7's aren't useful over i5's, even in SLI. There's a few posts about it on here somewhere in the forum, I'll try to find the links.
I'd still stick with you have, and in the future when you absolutely need to spend more money on your rig (I know how it goes!
😉
It get's real addicting real fast)...then you can upgrade, and the components will be a lot cheaper. I'm glad I waited for the price drop on the i5 4690k. Used to be $330, picked one up for $209 not too long ago. I had been running off of an FX-6300 OC'ed at 5.0 ghz and it was still bottlenecking (hate using that term because it gets thrown around far too often without anyone really understanding it) the performance of my GTX 970. Once installed the i5 on a proper Z97 motherboard, the thing was like night and day just STOCK. Then you get into the OCing, and holy crap, you start seeing stars.
What kind of power supply do you have? I'm assuming a fairly beefy one due to the GTX 980Ti?
I should correct myself...the things worth future proofing are: a good case that's the right size to meet your current needs and future desires, and then a good power supply! The worst is having to buy ANOTHER power supply because you skimped out on getting a good one in the first place.
EDIT:
i7's have advantage over i5's in video or graphics rendering...unless you plan to a lot of that, stick with your current CPU.
I have the Seasonic P-760 SS-760XP2 PSU. It's a great PSU.
So with that cooling I'm getting and overclocking it to 4.5, what temps should I be looking at while gaming?