[SOLVED] Advice on upgrading vs. rebuilding

[RobertMHoff]

Hi folks. I'm looking for advice here.
Not sure if I should replace my full system, or only upgrade some of its components. Here's the full rundown:

Back in 2013 I built myself a gaming PC with the following specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5 3570k quad-core at 3.4 Ghz.
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 (supports PCIE 3.0 16x, LGA1151 socket, DDR3 memory
16 GB of RAM (2x 8Gb DIMMs)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 4GB GDDR5
OS Boot drive is a Samsung 840 EVO-Series 120GB.
650w power supply (Corsair enthusiast series)

No overclocking done, mainly for gaming, browsing and non-demanding jobs.

I have no complains about the system, it still runs anything I throw at it at 60fps at 1080p on decent settings (stuff like Arkham Knight can slow it down if maxed up). My real worry is the age of the components. My previous two computers had crapped out in three/five years, so I am a bit surprised mine hasn't blown up yet.

So I am debating whether to build a fully new one versus just changing the components I am worried about:

-The graphics card: I am definitely changing it. I love the current one but updating it is one of my main drivers here. I want to go for full settings on any game. Targetting a 3070 or maybe 3080 (yes, I know, when pigs fly since there's no supply today but let's assume they're available for the sake of discussion).

The processor: I'm on the fence here. I'd say my current processor is very decent and I am not sure I'd gain much by going from quad-core to hexa-core. Then again, it's 8 years old.

Memory: 16 GB of DDR3 seem to be working decently, I might replace it with a fresh set of 4x8Gb but it also may be overkill. Is going to a new motherboard and DDR4 noticeable in performance assuming the same 16 Gb?

Storage: Older SSDs have a habit of dying out, so this one would definitely be replaced, no questions there.

Motherboard: How long can I trust it? So far, 8 years doubles what my previous motherboards gave me, but again, a blown capacitor and that's that. How long can you expect a good quality capacitor to last without issues?

M.2 storage: I'd love it, but it's secondary for me. My current system boots in about 10 to 15 seconds from pushing the button and it is immediately usable, so do I have anything to gain from an M.2 (which means new motherboard) versus simply replacing my current SSD with a fresh one?

Any arguments for or against just replacing components here? Any bottlenecks I may not be foreseeing?

 

[CountMike]

Hi folks. I'm looking for advice here.
Not sure if I should replace my full system, or only upgrade some of its components. Here's the full rundown:

Back in 2013 I built myself a gaming PC with the following specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5 3570k quad-core at 3.4 Ghz.
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 (supports PCIE 3.0 16x, LGA1151 socket, DDR3 memory
16 GB of RAM (2x 8Gb DIMMs)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 4GB GDDR5
OS Boot drive is a Samsung 840 EVO-Series 120GB.
650w power supply (Corsair enthusiast series)

No overclocking done, mainly for gaming, browsing and non-demanding jobs.

I have no complains about the system, it still runs anything I throw at it at 60fps at 1080p on decent settings (stuff like Arkham Knight can slow it down if maxed up). My real worry is the age of the components. My previous two computers had crapped out in three/five years, so I am a bit surprised mine hasn't blown up yet.

So I am debating whether to build a fully new one versus just changing the components I am worried about:

-The graphics card: I am definitely changing it. I love the current one but updating it is one of my main drivers here. I want to go for full settings on any game. Targetting a 3070 or maybe 3080 (yes, I know, when pigs fly since there's no supply today but let's assume they're available for the sake of discussion).

The processor: I'm on the fence here. I'd say my current processor is very decent and I am not sure I'd gain much by going from quad-core to hexa-core. Then again, it's 8 years old.

Memory: 16 GB of DDR3 seem to be working decently, I might replace it with a fresh set of 4x8Gb but it also may be overkill. Is going to a new motherboard and DDR4 noticeable in performance assuming the same 16 Gb?

Storage: Older SSDs have a habit of dying out, so this one would definitely be replaced, no questions there.

Motherboard: How long can I trust it? So far, 8 years doubles what my previous motherboards gave me, but again, a blown capacitor and that's that. How long can you expect a good quality capacitor to last without issues?

M.2 storage: I'd love it, but it's secondary for me. My current system boots in about 10 to 15 seconds from pushing the button and it is immediately usable, so do I have anything to gain from an M.2 (which means new motherboard) versus simply replacing my current SSD with a fresh one?

Any arguments for or against just replacing components here? Any bottlenecks I may not be foreseeing?

So basically it's i7 3770k vs. all new CPU+MB+RAM ? I personally wouldn't invest a red cent into that old (at least 5 generation) system.

 

[alexbirdie]

So basically it's i7 3770k vs. all new CPU+MB+RAM ? I personally wouldn't invest a red cent into that old (at least 5 generation) system.

That's true.

But 3770k is the only way you can upgrade the CPU and overclock it to about 4.3 Ghz with 1.15 core voltage ( should be possible with nearly every 3770k). My old system ( still working) does have a 37700k with 4.3 ghz, but 1.14 corevoltage.

And perhaps a used 1080-gpu as exchange for your 770.

But again, as CountMike already said:

Upgrading this old system does not make any sense, because some few hundred of $ more and you can have a new, actual system ( f.i. AMD 5600x, AM4-550-MB, 32 GB ddr4-ram and perhaps 3060, 3060ti or even a 3070.

How long do you want to use your system from now on?

 

[RobertMHoff]

So basically it's i7 3770k vs. all new CPU+MB+RAM ? I personally wouldn't invest a red cent into that old (at least 5 generation) system.

What's your take on a good Noctua air cooler?

 

[doolittle]

have to agree with the consensus, similar story with my 2500k / r9-390 rig...

Upgraded to a GTX1070ti, 1080p/144hz monitor and a Seasonic G650, was nice to max out frames on the current set of games I played however the big difference was when I dropped in a 2600x/b450 kit to match it - games were much smoother and fluent in gameplay and able to handle newer titles with ease.

I didn't mind the hassle of swapping components back and fourth, and my old 2500k is enjoying the retired life as my basement plex server. Might be less hassle to get the entire new rig setup and running and the old can be left for whatever reuse both in one shot.

 

[CountMike]

What's your take on a good Noctua air cooler?

Great coolers, several sizes depending on CPU and case, case because they are pretty big comparing to most others.