What is the first thing to upgrade?
What is the first thing to upgrade?
Hey everyone,
This is my first time joining the forum. I’ve been around for a while but haven’t been active lately. My PC was built in 2018, and I’m seeking your opinions on what to focus on right now. Right now, I can run most titles smoothly unless it’s really demanding, like when rendering Warzone. However, with upcoming releases such as GTA 6, I’d like to upgrade my system to get the best performance possible and would appreciate some guidance.
Current specifications:
- CPU: Intel i7 8086k
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
- MBO: ROG Strix z370-F Gaming
- RAM: Corsair 2x16GB DDR4
- PSU: Unknown, but I upgraded it to a high-end 1000W+ unit
- Storage: SSD-970 EVO 500GB, WD Blue (1TB)
I’m planning to switch to a WD Black 2TB drive soon. Apart from that, based on what I know, my CPU should limit performance beyond the 3070. What are your overall thoughts on this setup? What improvements would you suggest?
Also, just a note—I’ve been focusing more on media and gaming lately since school, and I work in the ER, so I don’t spend much time at home. My monitor is a Samsung Odyssey G8 34-inch OLED.
It relies on the specific needs of the games you wish to play. A suitable GPU and a system upgrade will generally be similar in cost.
Fastest and biggest gain – grab a used 3070/3070ti for under $400.
Beyond that, your PC still has many bottlenecks, mainly the CPU. Besides more storage, the WD Black SSD won’t help much, only a slight speed boost in certain games.
I’d have liked better news, but if you’re looking for a real upgrade, consider selling it and building something new.
Your Odyssey G8 deserves better.
I noticed I came across as if I was suggesting the SSD would boost performance in the same way custom rims increase a car's horsepower, which is just a joke. But actually, it was more about expressing my need for better storage. The main reason I chose this setup was because I really liked my old monitor, but it stopped working about a year ago. Luckily, Samsung let me combine the nurse and first responder discounts with a sale, so I managed to get it for around $650. I also tried two others, but they didn’t quite meet my needs.
In short, I think that’s what I was hoping to hear. Looking ahead, breaking down the PC and updating its look seems like the right path. Right now I’m not ready to spend too much, but the 3070 could be a solid start for future builds. If that’s the case, I might wait for the next generation of models—like a 4070 with a 13700k CPU—to be more cost-effective and powerful in the long run. From what I understand, you can really push the 4070 to its limits with that combination, but I’m not sure yet. What do you think?
I would consider opting for a 4070 super if the budget permits, as it offers more than just extra VRAM but provides a stronger GPU core boost.
https://technical.city/en/video/GeForce-...4070-SUPER
It's also worth noting that it consumes less power.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*
Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
($168.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:
*
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler
($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
*
ASRock Z690 Steel Legend ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$338.96
Costs cover shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria
Created by
PCPartPicker
2025-02-08 03:07 EST-0500
What is your budget? A CPU upgrade might help, but it’s better to stick with AM5 since Intel is struggling. The downsides are spending a lot on a new motherboard, DDR5 RAM, CPU, and good cooling. On the other hand, a GPU like the 7800XT or 4070 with a 16GB card would be better, though your current CPU could cause bottlenecks and might save you money compared to a CPU upgrade. So a GPU upgrade seems like the smarter choice overall!