CPU/GPU/RAM/Mobo Upgrade Advice (~$700)

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Cougar7

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Apr 5, 2014
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Hi all,

About 4 1/2 years ago this forum helped me decide on a build for a PC. I felt after about 5 years it was time to look at upgrading options to modernize it and want some advice. I also have questions about whether it's worth waiting for the GTX 2060 (I know that since it hasn't been announced yet, there's very limited help with this question, but you guys may know something that can help).

Here are my responses to the format:
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Approximate Purchase Date: I was originally thinking next Spring or so (heavily depends on whether the GTX 2060 is considered to be worth the wait), but figured this time of year with Black Friday/Cyber Monday would be a great time, plus the computer is showing signs of age.

Budget Range: $600 - $1000 max, but looking closer to about $700 (willing to consider more expensive options if there's enough value to justify it).

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing the internet, maybe occasional movie streaming.

Are you buying a monitor: No.

Parts to Upgrade: CPU, Mobo, RAM, GPU
My power supply is XFX 650W TS SERIES FULL WIRED 80+ BRONZE PSU

Do you need to buy OS: No (I purchased using a student discount, which I believe is a retail version)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: As long as it's trustworthy it doesn't matter, but I'm more familiar with Amazon and NewEgg and have used TigerDirect and NCIX before.

Location: Utah County, Utah

Parts Preferences: I like Intel for CPU and Nvidia for graphics cards.

Overclocking: Maybe. I haven't done it and don't plan to, but if there's enough value I'll consider it.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe; same as above, but with my specs would most likely be a no.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I often have lots of Google Chrome tabs open. I mainly play Heroes of the Storm, but will also be playing Starcraft II (the latest), Civilization VI, and most likely Madden 19 and possibly Star Wars Battlefront II (the latest), as well as old games that are more likely to have Windows compatibility issues than hardware issues.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: It's showing its age, and new games are starting to lag. Not to mention that 8 GB RAM was enough back in spring 2014, but much less so now.

Here's what I have now:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-4430 3 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty H87 Performance ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill - Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial - M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.74 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 760 2 GB TWIN FROZR Video Card
Case: Corsair - 400R ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: XFX - 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($83.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On - iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($29.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($124.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus - VS238H-P 23.0" 1920x1080 Monitor ($167.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Speakers: Logitech - Z313 25 W 2.1ch Speakers ($36.04 @ Walmart)
Total: $547.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-07 17:03 EST-0500

Here's what I've looked at right now (could use advice on CPU and mobo in particular):
Note: Case and PSU included for compatibility check, not because I'm purchasing them
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($220.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B360 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SC GAMING Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair - 400R ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: XFX - 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($83.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $749.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-07 17:22 EST-0500

So, some final questions. Based on my games, current build, and resolution, it looks like the GTX 1060 should be fine. I know this is mainly speculation, but is there enough reason to believe that the 2060 (if it comes out) will be worth waiting for? I'm inclined to believe it will either be underwhelming, overkill, or too expensive (I'd rather not spend more unless it looks like I'd need more). I guess one option is to buy the CPU/RAM/mobo now and keep my 760 until next spring (even if the 2060 underwhelms it might drop the 10xx series, couldn't it?) and just the increased RAM alone may help a lot in the meantime. Also, should I consider the i5-8600 or better instead of the 8400? Also, I know very little about quality mobos. Is a better mobo that big of a difference maker, or not so much with my specs?

Thanks in advance.
 
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That build looks nice, one thing I would consiser is maybe save on a 2600 and instead get a better gpu. Based on Intel's track record you will need a new motherboard with the next cpu. Ryzen will support thru 2020 so you could just replace the cpu in about 3 years with the next best available.

I think you might want higher than a 1060 6gb if you plan to play some of these upcoming AAA games at 60fps 1080p. It's good for current titles, but I can see it struggling some in the next 1 or 2 years with some games unless you turn some settings down a bit.

If a 2060 sells for under 300 and performs about equal to a 1070 it could be the perfect card for 1080p over the next few years.

The RAM on your build shows 109$ but it's 139$ when you...
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Actually, seeing more about RAM that does lead me to ask about the different speeds of DDR4 RAM as well. I'm seeing lots of options and kind of thinking that it doesn't really matter, but am I wrong?

I also noticed there is a 9th generation of CPUs, which I didn't originally notice. Does that change anything?
 
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That build looks nice, one thing I would consiser is maybe save on a 2600 and instead get a better gpu. Based on Intel's track record you will need a new motherboard with the next cpu. Ryzen will support thru 2020 so you could just replace the cpu in about 3 years with the next best available.

I think you might want higher than a 1060 6gb if you plan to play some of these upcoming AAA games at 60fps 1080p. It's good for current titles, but I can see it struggling some in the next 1 or 2 years with some games unless you turn some settings down a bit.

If a 2060 sells for under 300 and performs about equal to a 1070 it could be the perfect card for 1080p over the next few years.

The RAM on your build shows 109$ but it's 139$ when you view it. I took your build, swapped a couple things and moved way up on the gpu while using a cpu which is going to perform just as good and saves enough to make up most of the more expensive gpu cost. Take off 60$ if you keep your gpu. Maybe add 30$ for better cpu cooler.


https://pcpartpicker.com/list/sXhmBb

50$ more for a 1070ti build, this will definitely perform better overall for gaming and last longer. Just on the cpu/mobo is 100$ savings which lets us move to a 1070ti. Might be overkill if you play the same games for 4 years at 1080p 60fps. You would be able to game at 1440p 60fps easy and also 4k to some degree if you replaced the display at some point.

I know you said you like Intel and I'm just presenting an option worth considering. If you look up comparisons the 2 cpu are basically the same at 1080p and above with the 8400 taking a small lead at 720p. If you overclock the 2600 will win on most games, but just barely, it's really close all around.

If both cpu were the same or closer in price then there is nothing to consider, go with Intel if you prefer, but it's tough to not consider other options when you pay 60$+ more for identical performance. You gain more by going to a higher gpu than a cpu at this point.

One last thing to consider is that you bought a 760 around the time it came out and it worked good for 4 years. A 1060 is already 2.5 years old. Yeah it is more efficient and more like having a 980, but it's still pretty old.

If you don't want to wait or buy a higher gpu now then it might be worth grabbing a rx 570 (poor man's 1060 6gb) for under 150$ and just replace it in a year or whenever you need. It would be better imo to either wait or get a higher model now unless you are certain a 200$+ 1060 will hold you over for a couple years

People haven't been that impressed with the 9th gen outside of a 9700k. Maybe prices will drop on the 8th gen which were great cpu' s. The boost clock isn't that high on an 8400, but I think for what you are doing it's fine. It can easily push a 1070ti and it's a great cpu for gaming, it's just not a great price at 230$ when a 8600k is not much more, but do you even need that extra power?

Just because a cpu has more power or higher clocks doesn't automatically mean it will last longer. Unless your goal is very very high frames at 1080p and lower then you probably don't need higher than 8400, but who knows what sales might show up.

The RAM matters more for ryzen than Intel. The difference between 2133 vs 3000mhz can be significant when it comes to gaming with ryzen, but the same gap on Intel is minimal.
 
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Solution
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($269.99 @ Walmart)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Ultimate 76 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - MAG Z390 TOMAHAWK ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($155.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB SC2 Gaming iCX Video Card ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $965.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-08 18:10 EST-0500
 
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I would go AMD Ryzen, top end 8 core with the new nvidia 2070's.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qsjRRJ
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qsjRRJ/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Ultimate 76 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($74.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($498.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $953.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-09 02:49 EST-0500
 
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Thanks for the suggestions so far. It looks like Black Friday ads are starting to come out and I will be able to better make an educated decision.

Right now I'm leaning towards buying the CPU/RAM/mobo with Black Friday sales and keeping the 760 for another few months while the 2060 is announced and released.

The 1070Ti option does look tempting, but the 2070 RTX just looks way too expensive for my liking (like I said, I can go up to $1000, but I don't want to do it simply because I can). I'm also still leaning toward Intel, although AMD does present a viable alternative. A good point was brought up about the 1060 being 2+ years old (but so is the 1070....).

So judging by the various assortments of motherboards, that means that motherboards have little significance as long as it has all the slots/sockets you need? And RAM speed makes more of a difference for AMD CPUs?

Thanks.
 
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Right about the ram speeds and the motherboard depends on the cpu. With an 8400 that doesn't have as high of a boost speed you should be able to get by with a cheaper option. If it's ryzen, k series or a model with a higher boost you may want a nicer one with better cooling.

Have you seen the battlefield V demo Ray tracing? It's pretty amazing. I'm actually considering going with a 2070 after seeing it, but I want to see how it performs because it uses a lot of gpu power. It cuts the frames down a ton and want to make sure a 2070 could run 1440p 60fps AAA games with Ray tracing on or else it seems kind of pointless.
 
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So it looks like the Ryzen 5 2600X is going to be $179 next week (Black Friday), which actually looks tempting. I'm looking at 2 main considerations: an Intel i5-9600k (I figured if I'm going Intel, I might as well get the 9th gen) and the AMD.

Here's what I'm looking at:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($218.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450-A PRO ATX AM4 Motherboard ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8 GB DUKE Video Card ($354.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair - 400R ATX Mid Tower Case
Total: $782.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-15 19:00 EST-0500

OR

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($248.99 @ Walmart)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8 GB DUKE Video Card ($354.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair - 400R ATX Mid Tower Case
Total: $816.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-15 19:01 EST-0500

Keep in mind the Ryzen should be $179 next week.

The Intel is quite a bit more expensive, but it is true that gaming is a big part of the system.

Thoughts?

Also, should I jump on this 1070Ti now, or is the 2060 likely to be a better grab? Because I can wait to upgrade the GPU.
 
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I ended up going with the Ryzen 5 2600X (taking advantage of Black Friday sales), as well as the 1070 Ti.

The build I got are those listed in my last post, except slightly faster and more expensive RAM.
 
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