Build upgrade ideas?

Hey there,

I’m looking for some advice on a new build, or maybe just a solid upgrade path. Mostly just gaming, playing on my PlayStation, and a little bit of video editing here and there. I’ve got about $600 set aside to spend on this.

Here’s what I’m running right now:

MoBo: Gigabyte 990XA-UD3
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K
GPU: R9270x
Ram: Kingston HypX Fury 8GB DDR3
PSU: CoolerMaster 600W Bronze 80+ RS ACAA

I already have the case, monitor, and peripherals, plus an SSD and an HDD ready to go.

I guess I'm wondering if I can stick with my current power supply, or if I really need something beefier? Also, would it be okay to just grab another 8GB stick of my current RAM to add to it?

Honestly, you can't reuse that DDR3 RAM; everything worth looking at now uses DDR4. You might be able to hang onto the power supply, though. Might as well sell the motherboard and RAM for whatever pocket change you can get. Maybe grab a GPU for around 500-$200
(just eyeballing it here).
What kind of games are we talking about? What resolution and refresh rate are you aiming for?
The GPU isn't total junk if you're just playing low-spec titles.
Otherwise, an Intel Core i5-7600K for $300 would be a solid upgrade (if you build around that).

Would you consider a used graphics card?

wiredotter14 said:Honestly, you can't really reuse that DDR3 RAM; everything worth looking at now uses DDR4. You could probably hang onto your power supply, though. Maybe sell the old motherboard and RAM for a few bucks?

What kind of games are you planning to play, and what resolution or refresh rate are we talking about?
That GPU isn't totally useless if you're just sticking to lighter titles.
Anyway, an Intel Core i5-7600K for $300 would be a solid upgrade (if you build around that).

Would you ever consider a used graphics card?

Okay, let's throw some RAM on the list too.

Basically, I want to play Blade Runner, so I'm using that as my benchmark. I'll probably grab a new GPU along with everything else.

Targeting 1920*1080 at 60Hz, but I'll likely upgrade the monitor later on.

I definitely want a brand new GPU.

You talking about Blade Runner?
The specs on this look pretty demanding, especially for the GPU.
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/cy...ecommendations

Here’s a suggestion for the platform, leaving you some room for the graphics card. You don't have to grab the GPU right away.
Since you clearly need more power there, I’d snatch up an Intel Core i5-9400F AF right now. It's a $300 killer deal. Save the rest of the cash for the GPU.

Just a heads up, stock is thin. If it disappears here, check sites like Amazon or Newegg to see if anyone has it. It might show up in one shop for a few days and then vanish (like seeing it at Best Buy or Micro Center...).

Best Buy

Better option from Best Buy, but it'll push your budget:
https://www.nabava.net/search.php?q=b450+steel+legend

For RAM, try to find 2x8GB CL16 3200MHz under $167, maybe something like

Total comes out to roughly $650

For the GPU, you could go with an Nvidia GTX 1660 Super or, if you can stretch the budget, an Nvidia RTX 2060.
https://www.nabava.net/search.php?q=1660+super

A 1660 Ti sits somewhere in the middle price-wise, but honestly, probably not worth it.
The 1660 Super is definitely a step up from the recommended GTX 1060 6GB, and since the game seems to demand beefier hardware, it should be just right. You could also wait a bit; prices might drop now that new Nvidia cards are out and new AMD ones are coming. An Nvidia RTX 3060 should drive down the prices of everything weaker than it—cards that are currently overpriced, like the Nvidia RTX 2070.

Cyberpunk 2077.

So, I could probably bump my budget up to $5k, though I’ll be holding out hope that GPU prices finally take a dip. I really want to stick to big brand names this time around, mostly because my current setup lasted forever and I was super happy with my motherboard.

What's the deal with ASRock components? Weren't they considered a bit hit-or-miss on quality back in the day? Also, I'm not too familiar with this RAM brand from the link provided.

You can pull together a build with a 1660 Super right at $1333.

Intel Core i5-7600K BOX, LGA 1151,
091.500.004 - $333

ASUS Prime B450M-A, AM4, 90MB0YR0-M0EAY0
094.500.075 - $212

DDR4 16GB (2x8) Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz, PVS416G320C6K
096.100.679 - $191

MSI GTX1660 SUPER Ventus XS OC 6G GDDR6, V375-279R
097.100.553 - $692

Total $1427 - doesn't include any cash discounts or one-time payment deals (usually like 10%?)...

Budget looks pretty well spent to me.

EDIT: You mentioned you could bump the budget up. If so, there's always the 2060 option. Sadly not the 2060 Super though, which actually has an extra 2GB of VRAM.
Just looking back, I grabbed a 2060 Super last Christmas for $1222... prices haven't budged an inch.

Bryan Scott4 said:Yeah, Cyberpunk 2077.

Look, I can bump the budget to $5k, but I'll probably just wait for GPU prices to tank first. I want big brand names though. My current rig lasted forever and I was extremely happy with my motherboard.

What's the deal with ASRock components? Weren't they considered low-tier quality once? Also, I don't recognize the brand for this RAM in the link.

Don't get hung up on brands. It's all model by model. For example, Asus and MSI are known for great motherboards and cards, then they turn around and release the absolute worst junk of the generation. The ASRock B450 Steel Legend is a solid board. That cheaper Gigabyte DS3H is fine too. If you want the deep dive, go watch Linus Tech Tips VRM testing for all the B450 boards on YouTube.

Regarding the RAM, there are only three actual chip makers in the world (Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix). Everyone else just picks chips and sticks them on a PCB.
Just make sure it's 3000+MHz and doesn't have crazy high latency. Patriot is a major player in RAM, but honestly, it doesn't matter much. It comes with a 5-year warranty, and RAM rarely fails anyway.

IMO, grab the platform now with your current GPU, then save up for a better card later. If the Nvidia RTX 3060 ends up being around $400, it might hit our local stores for about $300-$1333. Either that fits your budget, or the Nvidia RTX 2070 (Super) gets significantly cheaper. Plus, we'll see what AMD drops this year—announcements are coming next month.

Just hang onto your old GPU until the prices on the new stuff finally drop...

Man, wiredotter14 beat me to it 🙂

Thanks for all the tips and clearing things up for me. I think I'll go ahead and grab the CPU, the Micro Center gift card, and the RAM right now, then maybe pick up a GPU down the road.

Btw, does anyone have a recommendation for a cooler? The main thing for me is that it's as quiet as possible.

If you grab that combo from ADM—you know, the one with the Intel Core i5-7600K, an MSI B450 motherboard, and 16GB of 3200MHz RAM—it'll set you back $933, which leaves you with exactly $733 left over to hunt down a decent GPU

Jonathan Barrett said:you can grab a combo from Micro Center—Ryzen 1600 + Tomahawk B450 Max + 16GB 3200MHz—for $933 and you'll still have $733 left over for a GPU.

Quote: said:Also, looking at this Asrock board... does it have any of that RGB gimmickry on it? I'd rather pay more for one without it.

You can just turn the RGB off.

Otherwise, the Tomahawk is easily one of the best B450 boards out there. This combo is a decent deal ($2879, not
) if you're willing to drop that much, but honestly, you don't strictly need it. It won't change your actual performance. $933 The only thing is, if you're planning an upgrade to a much beefier CPU down the road, then yeah, go for it.

As for coolers, the Freezer 34 is perfectly fine; those CPUs pull a bit of power.
The LC-CC-120 is similar.
I’ve got the LC-CC-95 (95mm instead of 120mm) at my cousin's place, and it keeps an i7 3770 quiet—and that thing draws more juice than a Ryzen 1600 or 3600.