Gaming PC Upgrade from 2013

Selphious

Honorable
Feb 27, 2013
61
0
10,640
I built my first gaming PC back in Dec. '13 and have always had low-key issues that remained unanswered for years. My PC seems to randomly under-perform with certain games that seem like they should be on the lower-end of the usage spectrum (CS:GO for instance), but runs games like Farcry 3 on High/Ultra with no problem. My PC also has constant start-up issues. Even after reading my mobo's manual about which error beep sequence means what, it did not help as the sequence changes pretty regularly, and I have run diagnostics in accordance with each beep sequence. This is mostly a non-issue, since I just have to try a few times to reboot before it works, but it does worry me that it could be affecting my PC's performance without my knowing. My PC ostensibly works completely okay once it is on, except it does struggle with some games randomly (I can't even keep a consistent 128 FPS on any map in CS:GO, and that is my main game).

I think that since some of the parts I chose were new when I got them, there may have been some compatibility issues or something that were unknown when I bought them. Or I just overlooked something, being a complete newbie to PC building. So, I am here to upgrade. Apologies for the somewhat lengthy introduction.

Here is my current build (I hope this will suffice): PCPartPicker

Purchase Date: ASAP//This week

Budget Range: $500 - $1000 (or whatever is necessary)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Only gaming

Parts Not Required: All peripherals--only looking for PC hardware upgrades, primarily CPU & GPU

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Preferably Amazon Prime eligible, but I don't mind Newegg or whatever is available if necessary.

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Tired of AMD Processors so I feel like I should switch to Intel finally. Otherwise, open to any brand.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, if that could be a good idea with an upgraded GPU along with my current graphics card/build

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Primarily looking at upgrading the Graphics Card and Processor for the most bang for my buck, but I do want a fairly significant upgrade. My processor seems to be a ridiculous bottleneck for whatever reason, even with this lower-mid tier build. I would just like to make sure that all parts are compatible and if anything else needs upgrading (RAM, Mobo, fan, PSU), then I am more than open to it.

Again, in my mind, it seems like a GPU + CPU upgrade may just solve my issues, but I am concerned with compatibility issues with my current rig. Also, if anyone has any idea what could be causing my start-up or performance issues, I am absolutely all ears.

Thank you for your help, in advance! Please don't hesitate to let me know if I could provide any more helpful information.
 
Can switch to gtx 1060 to save $$ if your gaming on 60Hz monitor or lower requirement GPU games like CS:go.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($235.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF Z270 MARK 2 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($119.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card ($379.99 @ Jet)
Total: $874.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-03 19:03 EDT-0400

Reuse the rest from old system.
 


Thank you very much! That is the processor I was looking at & I was thinking of upgrading my memory to be better safe than sorry. Also, I am gaming on a 144 Hz monitor.

May I ask why the switch in Motherboard, though?
 
At the high end of your budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($345.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z270 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($154.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($119.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card ($334.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $955.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-04 10:34 EDT-0400
 


Ahh, that GPU is a great deal! I'm definitely going to get that. The memory as well.

I have the same question, though--Why do I need to switch out my motherboard? Is my current one lower-end than I realized or are there compatibility issues? I just would like to make sure that it's absolutely worth going through the (limited) trouble of installing a new motherboard.

Thank you!
 
Thank you both very much for all of your help! I have decided to just spring for the i7-7700k, the memory that you both linked @ 3200MHz, and the Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 mini, cause that card seems like a hell of a deal.

I am a tad concerned with both of those motherboards, only because of the limited USB slots.

Do you think that this motherboard would work out for me? I am pretty positive that it's compatible, I just want to make sure that there's not a glaring issue with it and the rest of my setup.

This would (optimistically) be the final build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/n9FvCy
 


It would work fine but as far as the memory you picked different one yes its 3200mhz vs 3000mhz but the CAS latency is different the 3000 we picked is faster at CAS 15 vs CAS 16 and is a few dollars cheaper although if you do the math it will probably be both around the same.

So something below would cost a bit more even tough is still 3200 its 14 cas

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($154.97 @ Jet)
Total: $154.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-04 14:32 EDT-0400

In the End as far as gaming goes you would really not see any difference even if its 2400 speed.
 
Ohhh wow, I didn't know about CAS latency--that's good to know! Alright, back to the 3000MHz version. I believe that completes my build then! I appreciate the help loads, you two. Thank you for saving me a little bit of $ and helping me feel confident in my build :) Time to order!