Build Advice It's time for another PC upgrade!

[baltais99]

Hello everyone!

It's time for another PC upgrade, and I'd like to ask for some help and recommendations from you. A few years ago, you already assisted me with advice, and I built a pretty decent rig that has held up well until now. Even BG3 runs smoothly!

The goal is not too ambitious: achieve stable gaming at 1080p@60. Newer games are starting to struggle (Starfield, doesn't quite meet the minimum requirements for Cyberpunk PL).

I'd like to keep as many components as possible: PSU, GPU, RAM, and SSD.

As far as I understand, the biggest bottleneck is my CPU (judging by Starfield and Cyberpunk requirements). So, I probably need a new motherboard (possibly with DDR5 support?).

Here are my current specs:
GPU: Zotac RTX 2060 6GB,
CPU: Intel i5 7500 3.4GHz,
RAM: 4x Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 8GB 2400MHz DDR4 (32GB total),
PSU: VS550,
Motherboard: MSI MS-7A70,
Storage: 1TB SSD,
Case: Deepcool GamerStorm Matrexx 55 V3 ADD-RGB E-ATX Mid-Tower White

I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

Approximate Purchase Date: This month/next month
Budget Range: up to 1k euro
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming
Are you buying a monitor: No
Parts to Upgrade: I'd like to keep as many components as possible: PSU, GPU, RAM, and SSD.
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: any will do, will buy them local
Location: Europe
Parts Preferences: Intel
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: What?
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: CPU bottleneck

 

[Lafong]

Maximum you will spend?

Location?

Preferred vendors?

 

[Lutfij]

I would replace the PSU, get a more concurrent platform, meaning ram, CPU and motherboard + GPU. FYHI, you should stylize your post akin to this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

and the community can move forward from there.

Edit:
scratch the case recycling part, the front is blocked off with that tampered glass front panel.

 

[baltais99]

Maximum you will spend?

Location?

Preferred vendors?

Updated origin post with this info

 

[baltais99]

I would replace the PSU, get a more concurrent platform, meaning ram, CPU and motherboard + GPU. FYHI, you should stylize your post akin to this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

and the community can move forward from there.

Edit:
scratch the case recycling part, the front is blocked off with that tampered glass front panel.

Thanks for the suggestion! Updated my post!

@Lutfij basically everything? For now, GPU works well, the plan is to get a good base platform from which to upgrade it further later. (MOBO + CPU) and upgrade GPU, RAM, PSU, later on.

 

[Lafong]

What is your current CPU cooler?

Are you either attracted to or repelled by liquid cooling?

At your budget, I'd think you can afford DDR 5. Price differential for a 2 x 16 kit is probably under 50 euros compared to DDR 4.

Probably will be a few new 14000 series Intel CPUs within the next 3 months; don't know if you can wait. Performance advantage likely minimal versus 13000 series.

 

[Why_Me]

Location: Europe

Which one of these countries do you reside in?

 

[baltais99]

What is your current CPU cooler?

Are you either attracted to or repelled by liquid cooling?

At your budget, I'd think you can afford DDR 5. Price differential for a 2 x 16 kit is probably under 50 euros compared to DDR 4.

Probably will be a few new 14000 series Intel CPUs within the next 3 months; don't know if you can wait. Performance advantage likely minimal versus 13000 series.

My current cooler is: Deepcool Gammaxx 400 Universal CPU Cooler XDC-GAMMAXX400
I don't really like liquid, prefer the old way, too easy to mess something up.

I have no problem with 13000s if it will be enough for a few years of gaming. Like the old setup, wasn't the best, but could game 1080@60 at high settings in every game.

So do you have any suggestions for mobo if I take 13000 one?
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but will DDR5 really make such a difference for my req?

Which one of these countries do you reside in?

Latvia

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/korpusi/153150-fractaldesign-focus-g-gunmetal-grey-window
Fractal Design Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case €68.11

Rear exhaust fan for that case.
https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/ventilatori/600631-arctic-p12-pwm-pst-co
Arctic P12 PWM PST 120mm 4-Pin Case Fan €16.39

Deepcool PM750D, 750W, 80PLUS Gold

Deepcool PM750D, 750W, 80PLUS Gold - Price 109.50 €, Can be ordered 15 units Availability: 14 days after order approval Buy and get free shipping!

www.dateks.lv

Deepcool PM750D 750W 80+ Gold Modular Power Supply €109.50

Asus TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS

Asus TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS - cena 139,48 €, Noliktavā 11 gab. Pērc pie mums un saņem bezmaksas piegādi!

www.dateks.lv

Asus TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS €139,48

https://www.dateks.lv/cenas/procesori-amd/825558-amd-ryzen-5-5600-6c-12t-3-50-ghz-32mb-cache-65w-
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 €153,86

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/atmi...pjaws-v-black-ddr4-32gb-3200mhz-cl16-kit-of-2
G.SKILL Ripjaws V DDR4 3200MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL16 €76.81

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/cietie-diski-ssd/871820-crucial-p3-1tb-m-2-gen3-x4
Crucial P3 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD €57.45

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/vide...r-radeon-rx-7600-8gb-gddr6-mech-2x-classic-oc
MSI Radeon RX 7600 MECH 2X OC 8GB €317.88

Total: €939.48

 

[Why_Me]

Intel version of that build. Swap out the motherboard and cpu with these.

Gigabyte B760M GAMING X DDR4

Gigabyte B760M GAMING X DDR4 - Price 147.82 €, In stock 45 units Buy and get free shipping!

www.dateks.lv

Gigabyte B760M GAMING X DDR4 €149.67

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/proc...2400f-6c-12t-2-50-ghz-18mb-cache-lga1700-65w-
Intel Core i5-12400F €169.79

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/procesoru-gaisa-dzesetaji/891578-deepcool-ag400-black
Deepcool AG400 €35.81

 

[baltais99]

Intel version of that build. Swap out the motherboard and cpu with these.

Gigabyte B760M GAMING X DDR4

Gigabyte B760M GAMING X DDR4 - Price 147.82 €, In stock 45 units Buy and get free shipping!

www.dateks.lv

Gigabyte B760M GAMING X DDR4 €149.67

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/proc...2400f-6c-12t-2-50-ghz-18mb-cache-lga1700-65w-
Intel Core i5-12400F €169.79

https://www.dateks.lv/en/cenas/procesoru-gaisa-dzesetaji/891578-deepcool-ag400-black
Deepcool AG400 €35.81

Thanks for the replies!

What about using Intel-Core i5-12600KF

Intel Core i5-12600KF (6P+4E/16T, 3.70 GHz, 20MB Cache, LGA1700, 125W)

Intel Core i5-12600KF (6P+4E/16T, 3.70 GHz, 20MB Cache, LGA1700, 125W) - Price 193.00 €, Can be ordered 231 units Availability: 14 days after order approval Buy and get free shipping!

www.dateks.lv

Any advantages to upping to a better CPU in this case?

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the replies!

What about using Intel-Core i5-12600KF

Intel Core i5-12600KF (6P+4E/16T, 3.70 GHz, 20MB Cache, LGA1700, 125W)

Intel Core i5-12600KF (6P+4E/16T, 3.70 GHz, 20MB Cache, LGA1700, 125W) - Price 193.00 €, Can be ordered 231 units Availability: 14 days after order approval Buy and get free shipping!

www.dateks.lv

Any advantages to upping to a better CPU in this case?

That's a good cpu ... not sure though if it's worth the extra cost.

 

[baltais99]

That's a good cpu ... not sure though if it's worth the extra cost.

What do you think about me going with Intel Core i5-12400F + Asus TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS first + ssd + reusing other components, and then upgrading the rest of them?

I think it would still be a good boost, as i was mainly CPU limited

 

[Lucky_SLS]

refer this list and try to get a tier A psu:

PSU Tier List rev. 17.0g - Cultists Network

PSU Tier List will help you to choose the best PSU out of hundreds of models on the market. From budget to the highest end Power Supplies.

cultists.network

 

[Lucky_SLS]

the B660 and 12400 is a good starting point. you can later upgrade to 14700.

look for a good VRM design with atleast 70A caps. a 12+ stage power phase should run the 14700 without any problems.

 

[Why_Me]

What do you think about me going with Intel Core i5-12400F + Asus TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS first + ssd + reusing other components, and then upgrading the rest of them?

I think it would still be a good boost, as i was mainly CPU limited

B550 boards are meant for AMD cpu's.

 

[baltais99]

B550 boards are meant for AMD cpu's.

Yup, sorry i meant B760M + 12400F.

 

[Why_Me]

Yup, sorry i meant B760M + 12400F.

That's a good combo ^^

 

[baltais99]

Received already 12400F and waiting on nvme SDD and B760M.

That's a good combo ^^

Btw, do I need a custom cooler from the get-go? As the 12400f came with the stock one.

As i understand 12400f has a turbo boost, which should be enabled in the bios by default right?

 

[Why_Me]

Received already 12400F and waiting on nvme SDD and B760M.


Btw, do I need a custom cooler from the get-go? As the 12400f came with the stock one.

As i understand 12400f has a turbo boost, which should be enabled in the bios by default right?

The stock cooler should work fine.

 

[baltais99]

I put together today all the new parts, everything seems to work fine except for one ram stick. If I use it, the new mobo won't boot ...

It's really strange. If I put that one RAM stick in by itself, everything boots up, but If i try to combine it with the rest of the three, it won't

 

[Lucky_SLS]

^ is that the case even with reduced timing/speed?

 

[baltais99]

^ is that the case even with reduced timing/speed?

I don't really feel comfortable changing any of those things.
So all the RAMs I have

2 sticks - Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 8GB 2400MHz CL16 DDR4 DIMM BLS8G4D240FSC
1 stick - Crucial CT8G4DFS824A, DDR4, 8 GB, 2400 MHz
1 stick - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) this one is causing all the problems

Any thoughts on this? Why on the old mobo they work fine, but no I can't use them all together

 

[Lucky_SLS]

if you have 4 sticks, and of which 2 sets unmatched, that will definitely cause instability. You need to set all 4 sticks to the same speed and timings.