[SOLVED] ~$500 Budget Upgrade!

[Syndragy]

Hello folks, tried r/buildapc, but got only one input, so I had to come back back here as I know numerous helpers are around and vocal.

I've had the same components for about 2-3 years as I built it during my early years of high school.

They were good enough for me as I mainly only played CS:GO, D3, Black Desert Online, and LoL but I've been playing a lot of Warzone exclusively and definitely need an upgrade.

I currently run Warzone on nearly the lowest settings possible, including render resolution (1267 x 713, 66 @ 1507/2007 MB VRAM Usage).

I get around 50 fps on the Warzone screen and 40-60 in-game(35-40 parachuting) during solos and nothing else, but Warzone open; 90% CPU utilization.


One fellow from r/buildapc recommended me a 1660 Super with a 4th gen i7 processor, but I wanted more input from others.

(Full)Specs are:
CPU - Intel Core i3-4360 3.7 GHz Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
GPU - ASUS Geforce GTX 750TI-OC-2GD5
RAM - Corsair Vengeance LP 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3-1600 CL10 Memory + Unifosa 4GB (2 x 2GB_ DDR3-1600
SSD - Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
HDD - Seagate Desktop HDD 4 TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive


Tl;dr Would like to be able to up rendering for Warzone, but be at a consistent 60+ FPS with a budget of around $500. Not opposed to going AMD if more cost efficient.

Thanks in advance, let me know if any more information is needed.

 

[boju]

I agree with most above except about dual channel and these exploits. The exploits do exist and have been corrected but are sooo exaggerated that the chances of someone like you, me or the OP sees zero chances of being impacted. Don't worry about it.

Regarding ram, if placed correctly, a pair of three will run in dual channel.

https://www.intel.com.au/content/www/au/en/support/articles/000005657/boards-and-kits.html

 

[need4speeds]

My 3rd build or option i tried.. I ditched the 2nd hdd to stay within budget.
A RTX 2060 with a 6 core should be pretty good for a while. Then sell your i3 parts and buy other items you want like a 2nd drive if needed and more games, ect.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (12nm) 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterAir MA410P 66.7 CFM CPU Cooler ($25.77 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Value 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2400 CL17 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PNY GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB XLR8 Gaming Overclocked Edition Video Card ($265.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $502.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-10 08:24 EDT-0400

 

[Syndragy]

My 3rd build or option i tried.. I ditched the 2nd hdd to stay within budget.
A RTX 2060 with a 6 core should be pretty good for a while. Then sell your i3 parts and buy other items you want like a 2nd drive if needed and more games, ect.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (12nm) 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterAir MA410P 66.7 CFM CPU Cooler ($25.77 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Value 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2400 CL17 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PNY GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB XLR8 Gaming Overclocked Edition Video Card ($265.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $502.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-10 08:24 EDT-0400

Appreciate it.
I have my full specs hyperlinked, but I do have a 4TB HDD paired with my SSD, plus I only have about 3 games installed or less as we speak, so more budget there

 

[Syndragy]

I agree with most above except about dual channel and these exploits. The exploits do exist and have been corrected but are sooo exaggerated that the chances of someone like you, me or the OP sees zero chances of being impacted. Don't worry about it.

Regarding ram, if placed correctly, a pair of three will run in dual channel.

https://www.intel.com.au/content/www/au/en/support/articles/000005657/boards-and-kits.html

The patriot sticks are actually 2x4gb instead of 1x8gb. Not sure if that makes a difference.

They are both 1600, I think 😅

 

[need4speeds]

If it's two pairs, then they will both run in dual channel.

You will have to choose between doing a GPU upgrade vs. a faster gpu and new cpu+mb+mem+cooler.
I would look locally first for a used cpu. A faster cpu would let you go to a faster gpu like the GTX 1660 super,
however i doubt a i5 can keep up with a RTX 2060. It's not worth it to spend too much on the cpu upgrade.

I think.. i3 with a GTX1050 super..
Used i5 with a GTX 1660 super.
Or RTX 2060 with a Ryzen 5 1600. With each faster option, the price of course goes up.

The prices keep changing, or things get sold out. Now the CM cpu cooler i picked out is sold out and is $55, so you will have to pick out a different cooler now.

Well good luck with what you decide to do.

 

[boju]

The patriot sticks are actually 2x4gb instead of 1x8gb. Not sure if that makes a difference.

They are both 1600, I think 😅

Might want to correct your OP 🙂

Warzone can be pretty memory intensive. 16GB ram is a good amount for this game but would be better if the whole lot was in dual channel though. See how it goes first, you might be happy with it as is.

 

[Syndragy]

If it's two pairs, then they will both run in dual channel.

You will have to choose between doing a GPU upgrade vs. a faster gpu and new cpu+mb+mem+cooler.
I would look locally first for a used cpu. A faster cpu would let you go to a faster gpu like the GTX 1660 super,
however i doubt a i5 can keep up with a RTX 2060. It's not worth it to spend too much on the cpu upgrade.

I think.. i3 with a GTX1050 super..
Used i5 with a GTX 1660 super.
Or RTX 2060 with a Ryzen 5 1600. With each faster option, the price of course goes up.

The prices keep changing, or things get sold out. Now the CM cpu cooler i picked out is sold out and is $55, so you will have to pick out a different cooler now.

Well good luck with what you decide to do.

Correct, two pairs.

I have a better understanding now, thank you for the recommendations, I'll be sure to update as time comes.

 

[Syndragy]

I've got my eyes on these, any warnings?

 

[boju]

4790 and 1070Ti or 2060, depending on price.

View: https://amp.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/akfrsd/gtx_1070_ti_vs_rtx_2060/


I would suggest 4790k for the higher base clock, 4ghz vs 3.6 and a higher boost but unlocked cpus (k), just don't know how hard it's been pushed. 4790 to be safe. Make sure to have a good cooler for it and also good air flow, intakes/exhaust case fans.

4790
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...7-4790-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-00-ghz.html

4790k
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...-4790k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-40-ghz.html

 

[Syndragy]

4790 and 1070Ti or 2060, depending on price.

View: https://amp.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/akfrsd/gtx_1070_ti_vs_rtx_2060/


I would suggest 4790k for the higher base clock, 4ghz vs 3.6 and a higher boost but unlocked cpus (k), just don't know how hard it's been pushed. 4790 to be safe. Make sure to have a good cooler for it and also good air flow, intakes/exhaust case fans.

4790
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...7-4790-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-00-ghz.html

4790k
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...-4790k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-40-ghz.html

Gotcha

Is there any GPU versions I should stay away from? such as single fan GPUs or....for an example, the mini ITX 2060 I'm looking at.
My current 750 ti is running around 89-130 degrees Fahrenheit or so while playing Warzone, for reference.

 

[boju]

Two or three fans, cooler and usually quieter as fans don't need to spin as quick. Also if a fan fails (unlikely but possible), there are others for backup.

Most brands are good, see reviews for pros and cons for the model you want.

 

[Syndragy]

Two or three fans, cooler and usually quieter as fans don't need to spin as quick. Also if a fan fails (unlikely but possible), there are others for backup.

Most brands are good, see reviews for pros and cons for the model you want.

Sounds good.

I'll probably go for the 2060, as they're going for around $50-70 more than the 1070 Ti, not too bad. Worth? (~$300)

 

[boju]

2060 is newer but it's a hard decision. 6gb vram is enough for 1080p or 1440p with mild antialiasing settings. 1070Ti if cheaper but wouldn't buy 2nd hand if 2060 is new for that price. 50~70$ saved could go toward a pair of 8GB sticks for solid 16gb dual channel. Mixing ram can be risky so that's the reason i would consider a packaged set.

 

[Syndragy]

I ended up going with a new RTX 2060 KO Ultra for $309.99 from BestBuy because I'm impatient. And yes, I installed the most recent driver.
__
Frame rates seem consistent throughout all quality settings and while playing Warzone (outside of the menu), around 45-70, but mainly it sits around the 50s.

Those results are after I bumped up the render resolution to 1980 x 1080. The frames remain the same if I lower it to the lowest settings/render resolution (60-63 FPS) and back up to normal/high quality settings/1080 render resolution.
Sometimes on high, it'll dip down into the 40s or 39 FPS for a split second, but it is still smoother than my 750 Ti, no screen tear or anything.

I have FPS limit and V-sync off in options, am I missing something, or is that normal for FPS to remain same throughout different settings; in my scenario.

My GPU is mostly at 0-3% utilization throughout game-play as well, the 27% max was during shaders install and google chrome tabs opening back up after force close(Pics provided). CPU sitting the same around 90-100% mainly 97-100% .

I am definitely happy with the upgrade, my game (and everything else) looks so much better and smoother, but I just feel like I might be missing out on some extra performance gain.

Thoughts on the performance? Thanks again for all the help so far.

 

[boju]

Cpu is being maxed out, it can't supply the graphics card properly and is why you're seeing high cpu usage and little change from graphics settings. Cpu sets the fps cap.

If you're happy though, that's good for now. If you want more from the 2060, go for a quad with HT. Don't bother with a straight quad, it'll also drown.

These days, minimum processor i would recommend is 4c/8t or 6c cpus. Dual/Quads aren't feasible.

 

[Syndragy]

Cpu is being maxed out, it can't supply the graphics card properly and is why you're seeing high cpu usage and little change from graphics settings. Cpu sets the fps cap.

If you're happy though, that's good for now. If you want more from the 2060, go for a quad with HT. Don't bother with a straight quad, it'll also drown.

These days, minimum processor i would recommend is 4c/8t or 6c cpus. Dual/Quads aren't feasible.

Yeah, for an old i3 dual, I'm impressed, it was already maxed out with the 750 Ti.

The only abbreviations you used that I know about is HT, but you gave me enough info, I'll research the other CPUs thanks.

 

[boju]

4 cores 8 threads ie i7 4790 🙂

 

[Syndragy]

4 cores 8 threads ie i7 4790 🙂

Gotttcccchaaaaa, I understand now. I may update again if I do decide to swap cpus as well, but if not, thanks for all your input.
Stay safe out there all and take care.

 

[boju]

You're welcome, and you too 🙂

 

[Syndragy]

Just received my 4790k today did one in-game test on max graphics!

Instead of 90-100% CPU utilization the whole time running Warzone, it now sits around 30-40% and jumps to around 70% or during BRs

Turns out my menu fps was set to 60, so my past tests were limited to that during menu lol, but now they're around 130 fps menu, 90 fps parachuting while looking down on the whole map, and 120-130fps on the ground.

Thanks everyone, extremely happy with the results!

Happy gaming