[SOLVED] Can I use this gpu and ssd with my current parts?

[lithuanianslugger]

I built my own pc 8 years ago for $600. I want to upgrade it. According to userbenchmark, the hdd and graphics card are my main slow points. Here is the link to my test run. https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/33005292. It also seems like I need to upgrade my ram though. I was think about buying the xfx radeon rx570 xxx 8gb edition for 159.99 (seems cheap...), and the crucial mx500 250 gb 2.5 in ssd for $48: both from amazon. Based on what I have read online and in the manual for my motherboard, the card and drive should fit my pc. Can you please help me understand if these will work, and if I need new ram or anything else for that matter. I was trying not to spend more than $200 over all, but am will to spend up to $250 if I must. I appreciate the help.

 

[tennis2]

Your whole system is a bottleneck. But your budget obviously doesn't allow for replacing the whole thing.

First things first, are you shopping in the USA? If not, what country?

 

[lithuanianslugger]

I appreciate that assessment. I guess that means I did a good job of putting it together in the beginning. No one piece better than the other. I am in the USA. Originally, I was looking for the cheapest thing I could put in it to boost its performance. I had read that the motherboard wouldn't bottleneck, but I am limited in my technical knowledge. I thought the processor was still viable based on the userbenchmark test. I guess I thought I had a couple pieces of equipment that would be acceptable to keep, but it sounds like I need to just save up for a full new build.

 

[tennis2]

Is this to be used primarily for gaming?

To be fair, the upgrades you're talking about (SSD & GPU) can be carried over to a new CPU/mobo/RAM upgrade at a later date. So your plan is still viable, just know that the current CPU will limit performance (to varying degrees depending on the game, online/offline, resolution, and settings).

With this forward-thinking upgrade path approach, I think it's best to look at a ~500GB SSD which will provide more space for todays large game sizes. Such as the Crucial MX500 500GB = $60

That leaves $140-$190 left for a GPU.

I think the usefulness of a 8GB RX570 is questionable (as has been discussed and examined by many sources), since, at that performance tier, the typical resolution of 1080p and in-game settings is unlikely to exceed the needs of the cheaper 4GB variants (which generally run closer to $115-$130 (depending on the current sale, and, in 2020 stock availability). I think the key here is what pricing are we talking about for each respective GPU at time of purchase:

RX570 8GB = $145 + tax = $154
RX580 8GB = $165 + tax = $175 (+15% performance compared to RX570)
GTX 1650 Super 4GB = $170 + tax = $180 (similar performance to RX580
RX5500XT 8GB = $200 + tax - $20 MIR = $192 (another ~10-15% performance compared to RX580/1650 Super

 

[lithuanianslugger]

Again, I appreciate the analysis and advice. I do see myself buying the other parts as time goes by. I probably will get the 500gb ssd instead. I found the same card I was originally looking at in the 4gb version. It's $20 less. Which is about 15% less in cost. https://www.newegg.com/xfx-radeon-rx-570-rx-570p427d6/p/N82E16814150795 Is the performance increase really not worth the extra $20? This is where my understanding is really limited. I understand that it wouldn't double the performance, but I figured it would still be significant. I am trying to stay in the lower cost spectrum, but I felt it was a great deal that I should take advantage of. Thank you.

 

[tennis2]

The price of your XFX RX570 4GB ($140 + $5 shipping + tax) is the same as the MSI RX570 8GB ($145 + free shipping + tax) I linked. I see no reason to choose the 4GB card in this situation. Both coolers are equally low-end, so a comparable quality in this instance.

 

[lithuanianslugger]

Ok. Also, I meant to say that it is primarily for gaming. Do you get any kickback for my purchases? If you think the ssd and gpu are the parts to start with, then I'll buy them. Any last thoughts before I buy?

 

[tennis2]

Ha, no, I don't get kickbacks, hence the straight-up newegg/amazon links with no affiliate tags at the end. I would recommend you taking advantage of affiliate links (for whatever your favorite site is) if you end up buying. Doesn't cost you anything extra, but it gives them a cut (albeit small).

 

[lithuanianslugger]

Ok. I appreciate the help. I do plan on buying the ones you recommended. I'll let you know how it ends up working out. Might ask for more help before it's over though.