What aspects should I prioritize for upgrading?
What aspects should I prioritize for upgrading?
I usually enjoy playing older titles and am used to adjusting settings. Now I’m reaching a stage where certain games are proving difficult. I’m starting to understand that upgrades will be necessary soon, but I’m unsure which parts to prioritize. It’s been a while since I’ve focused on CPUs and GPUs after building my PC, so I’m not familiar with the latest naming conventions.
I wasn’t planning to spend much money, so I was aiming for something from a few years back, which is exactly what I did for my current system, and that worked out well. For everyday tasks, everything functions properly. Some applications, like photo editing software, are slower, but I’m not doing anything too demanding. The main issues come during gaming, where lag and frame drops become noticeable.
Here’s what I have:
Ryzen 7 1700X
Radeon RX 580 8GB
Gigabyte AB350M-DS3H-CF motherboard
16 GB RAM
My case is ATX but smaller than some, so I’m uncertain if all GPUs would fit.
Thetis case
Thanks!
Got a link to the ram kit you're working with? You forgot to mention the make and model of your PSY and it's age. You also forgot to mention the make and model of your storage options. BIOS version for your motherboard at this time? How're you cooling the processor? You could look at a processor upgrade to the 3000 series or 5000 series provided you're ion the latest BIOS version and if you're not on a dual channel DDR4-3200MHz ram kit. I won't be spending a lot, so I was planning on getting something a gen or two old, which is what I did for my current setup, and I'm fine with getting used. Best that you stylize your post with info found in this post; *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel... forums.
I’d check if your board supports a 5700x or higher. Get a 32gb ram kit. Then consider upgrading the GPU and possibly the power supply. Also, do you already have an SSD installed? That would be a cost-effective improvement. After replacing the CPU, switch to Windows 11.
Aligning with others' opinions, you'll see a noticeable improvement after upgrading the CPU. The first-gen Ryzen offered limited single-thread speed. Be mindful of the motherboard; my previous model had a relatively poor VRM and might struggle with newer 12+ core chips.
The poster's argument holds. If the VRMs on your board are underpowered, a 5700x3D model likely represents the maximum suitable CPU power.
Thanks for the assistance! I initially thought 5700x was a GPU, which makes me realize I haven’t been paying close attention lately! My PSU is a Corsair 650TX. The RAM is 16.0GB Single-Channel DDR4 at 1330MHz (specs: 20-19-19-43). Regarding the VRM...I’m not sure what it means. Should I get a new motherboard with a new CPU? If there’s something straightforward I can upgrade to, that’s fine, but I don’t want to spend too much. Would upgrading both the motherboard and CPU be necessary, or would I just need new RAM? Thanks a lot!
Assuming this is the correct motherboard model, verify the CPU compatibility details here. You should also be familiar with updating the BIOS on a motherboard prior to thinking about a DIY CPU upgrade. The column on the right of the chart shows the BIOS version required for the motherboard to function properly with a specific CPU.
VRM stands for voltage regulator module, these small square parts near the CPU socket and under a heatsink manage the power supplied to the CPU. More affordable VRMs tend to be less efficient, generate more heat, and may not regulate as well at higher outputs compared to pricier options. Even though the CPU chart indicates the DS3H is compatible with "105W TDP" processors, it's better suited for "65W TDP" or lower models.
Your RAM appears to match the Ryzen 1st generation day-one specifications (likely the 2666 MT/s standard). It should work with most systems, though it performs significantly slower than modern DDR4 modules, which typically range from 3200 to 3600 MT/s.
That is the right board. Looking at the list, it seems like my 1700X is listed as 95W, and the 5700X is 65W, so that should be fine, right? And even though the specs of the two processors look similar, the 5700X is a pretty significant increase? (I know there's more to it than just the numbers listed). 5700X was saying it doesn't have a cooler, but the should the one on my 1700X be compatible?
My BIOS is F23 so would need to update it. Is that a tricky process? I built this one way back when, and I remember having some problems with it not booting, etc. So I'm happy to give it a try but I don't want to brick everything!
So maybe a CPU and RAM would be the way to go? Thanks!!
These are the starting points. Pay close attention to the bios updates. Certain changes will need you to install a specific bios version first, which might mean flashing it multiple times.
If you're considering constructing a new PC, it's wise to be aware that purchasing older components can be beneficial, though sometimes these parts are running low and commanding higher prices. Avoid investing in components that are too outdated. What would your budget look like? By reusing your RAM, case, GPU, and monitor, you could achieve a significant upgrade for around $500. Of course, you could go further if desired, but that depends on your preferences. Next year's GPUs are highly anticipated, and you might be able to find a very good one for about $250 to $300. You might also consider not playing many modern, demanding games, which would extend the lifespan of your build.