Question CPU & GPU upgrade for existing PC ?

May 15, 2021
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0
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Hey guys!
I'm thinking of upgrading my computer because it's been a while since i bought it and it's starting to struggle running newer games. I'm not an expert of components, so I'm here asking for your help!
My setup is:
CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.2 GHz Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM: 24,0 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665 MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. H97-HD3 (SOCKET 0)
Graphics: 4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (Gigabyte)

For now I'd like to upgrade at least the CPU (from what i see running "can you run it" using newer game as benchmark it's the main issue right now, is it correct?), and maybe upgrade my GPU as well.
Can you suggest me an "upgrade plan" considering my specs? My budget for now is more or less €1000-1500, but i can go higher if a good GPU is available.
Thank you very much

Drought_95
 

The Idiot

Distinguished
Apr 4, 2013
106
12
18,595
Hey guys!
I'm thinking of upgrading my computer because it's been a while since i bought it and it's starting to struggle running newer games. I'm not an expert of components, so I'm here asking for your help!
My setup is:
CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.2 GHz Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM: 24,0 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665 MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. H97-HD3 (SOCKET 0)
Graphics: 4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (Gigabyte)

For now I'd like to upgrade at least the CPU (from what i see running "can you run it" using newer game as benchmark it's the main issue right now, is it correct?), and maybe upgrade my GPU as well.
Can you suggest me an "upgrade plan" considering my specs? My budget for now is more or less €1000-1500, but i can go higher if a good GPU is available.
Thank you very much

Drought_95
Hey guys!
I'm thinking of upgrading my computer because it's been a while since i bought it and it's starting to struggle running newer games. I'm not an expert of components, so I'm here asking for your help!
My setup is:
CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.2 GHz Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM: 24,0 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665 MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. H97-HD3 (SOCKET 0)
Graphics: 4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (Gigabyte)

For now I'd like to upgrade at least the CPU (from what i see running "can you run it" using newer game as benchmark it's the main issue right now, is it correct?), and maybe upgrade my GPU as well.
Can you suggest me an "upgrade plan" considering my specs? My budget for now is more or less €1000-1500, but i can go higher if a good GPU is available.
Thank you very much

Drought_95
Take your pick. Me personally I would go for the i7-4790K which can be overclocked in the future if you want to change to a different motherboard. A new board might even support ddr4, but that isn't something I have looked into.
 

PC Tailor

Illustrious
Ambassador
Take your pick. Me personally I would go for the i7-4790K which can be overclocked in the future if you want to change to a different motherboard. A new board might even support ddr4, but that isn't something I have looked into.
Problem is if you then want to change a MB to be able to overclock a 4790K, you may as well upgrade to the newer platform. These platforms can't support DDR4.

It costs the same money to get much better performance in newer platforms nowadays.
 

The Idiot

Distinguished
Apr 4, 2013
106
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Problem is if you then want to change a MB to be able to overclock a 4790K, you may as well upgrade to the newer platform. These platforms can't support DDR4.

It costs the same money to get much better performance in newer platforms nowadays.
Makes sense. Guess we won't really have a good idea about what would be best until they answer your questions.
 
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Buying gpu’s at the moment is very difficult and very expensive due to lack of supply and very high demand. It’s at the point of if you want a gpu at a reasonable price a good option is buying from a system builder. With your budget you should be able to find a good system.

For gaming when the cpu is lacking there is little you can do to make performance better and a weaker 4 core/thread cpu is very limiting in modern games. My old 4670k @ 4.3GHz was really suffering 2 years ago before I upgraded. When the gpu is lacking you can reduce game settings and/or resolution to reduce the load on the gpu and get better performance. So an option is buying a modern cpu/motherboard/RAM now and then a gpu in 1+ years (could be longer) time when hopefully prices and availability are getting back to normal. This will depend on your appetite to compromise on game settings and resolution. A modern entry level cpu can outperform a 4790k or similar and the 4790k is usually very overpriced for its level of performance.
 
No idea what country you're in nor your monitor resolution so I'll use Germany as an example while assuming your resolution is 1080P.

https://geizhals.de/asus-prime-b560-plus-a2472678.html
ASUS Prime B560-Plus 114.48€

https://www.caseking.de/en/intel-co...rocket-lake-s-sockel-1200-boxed-hpit-706.html
Intel Core i5-11400F 175.36€

https://geizhals.de/cooler-master-hyper-212-black-edition-rr-212s-20pk-r1-a1906260.html
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition 34.90€

https://geizhals.de/crucial-ballistix-schwarz-dimm-kit-16gb-bl2k8g32c16u4b-a2222471.html
Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200, CL16 - 16GB Kit 79.90€

Total: 405€

If you plan on running that cpu with the power limits turned off in order to gain more FPS then I suggest this board and cpu cooler.

https://geizhals.de/asus-tuf-gaming-b560m-plus-a2471824.html
ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus 136.70€

https://geizhals.de/scythe-fuma-2-scfm-2000-a2059379.html
Scythe Fuma 2 52.40€

https://geizhals.de/seasonic-focus-gx-550w-atx-2-4-focus-gx-550-a2119946.html
Seasonic Focus GX 80 Plus Gold, Modular - 550w PSU 74.50€

https://geizhals.de/asus-tuf-gaming-geforce-gtx-1660-super-90yv0dt3-m0na00-a2194816.html
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER, 6GB GDDR6 349.00€

https://geizhals.de/gigabyte-geforce-rtx-2060-oc-6g-rev-2-0-gv-n2060oc-6gd-a2008741.html
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2060 OC 6G (Rev. 2.0), 6GB GDDR6 499.00€

https://geizhals.de/evga-geforce-rtx-3060-xc-gaming-12g-p5-3657-kr-a2482442.html
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC Gaming, 12GB GDDR6 919.99€

https://overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/intel_core_i5_11400f_and_asus_b560_plus_prime_review/1
Intel Core i5 11400F and ASUS B560 Plus Prime Review

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-core-i5-11400-review
Intel Core i5-11400 Review

https://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/intel_core_i5_11400f_processor_review,1.html
Intel Core i5-11400F Review

https://www.techspot.com/review/2232-intel-core-i5-11400f/
Intel Core i5-11400F Review

https://www.profesionalreview.com/2021/04/26/intel-core-i5-11400f-review/
Intel Core i5-11400F Review



 
Last edited:
May 15, 2021
2
0
10
What location more specifically? Prices and availability across Europe can differ :)

Also what is your PSU make and model?

What kind of games are you looking to play to what standard (very high quality?)?
What resolution monitor?

First of all, thank you so much everyone for all the answer and sorry for the late reply.
I'll check all the link you sent me asap.
Returning to the question, I'm from Italy and my PSU is Thermaltake Berlin 650 W - Model TR2-630AH2NCB.
I play mostly action/adventure and shooter games (eg. sekiro, cod warzone), and for the latter I must put it on minimum settings to play "smoothly". My monitor is S24D300 (1920x1080@60Hz).
Thank you again for your help, if you need any more info just ask!

Edit because i forgot to answer a question: I'd like to play at least at high quality (not necessary very high, but if the difference in price is not too much I'll think about it)