Build Advice Looking to upgrade current system $500 or less

[gruntpie224]

Hey! My current system's CPU is running up on 7 years old and I'm looking to upgrade. Here's my current build:

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel - Core i5-3550 3.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI - Z77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill - Value Series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 8 GB SC2 Gaming iCX Video Card
Case: NZXT - S340 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair - Builder 600 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit

So I'd definitely need to upgrade the CPU, MOBO, and RAM all at once which I'm hoping would result in a decent boost. I'm also looking to spend no more than $500 roughly.

My main focus would be 1080p 144hz gaming. I've been looking at the i5-9600k but I'm not quite sure.

Any help or somewhere to start would be great! Thanks!

 

[Hellfire13]

You can go both AMD or Intel...

AMD...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $174.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte - B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $67.89 @ OutletPC
Memory | G.Skill - Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $72.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $330.77
| Mail-in rebates | -$15.00
| Total | $315.77
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-18 00:14 EDT-0400 |


Intel...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor | $299.99 @ Newegg
Motherboard | Gigabyte - B360M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $69.99 @ Newegg
Memory | GeIL - EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory | $67.98 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $437.96
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-18 00:17 EDT-0400 |

 

[gruntpie224]

Are there any cons for using Micro-ATX vs ATX other than losing a few USBs and PCI slots?

 

[Hellfire13]

There is that slight space constraint. But its not too much of an issue unless you are in a particularly humid region.

 

[Bearmann]

Is it primarily for gaming? How do you feel about overclocking? Are you in the US? Do you live near a Micro Center?

 

[WildCard999]

You could save some cash on the Intel build by going i5-9400F & B365 MB but the 8700 is a solid CPU.

 

[Bearmann]

Are there any cons for using Micro-ATX vs ATX other than losing a few USBs and PCI slots?

...and it may look a little puny through your ATX case window.

 

[gruntpie224]

Is it primarily for gaming? How do you feel about overclocking? Are you in the US? Do you live near a Micro Center?

Primarily work / gaming. When I work I end up with a ton of programs open, definitely lots of chrome tabs. I am located in the US but no Micro Center sadly.

...and it may look a little puny through your ATX case window.

Lol yeah that's something to consider as well.

 

[Bearmann]

You may want to wait until Computex on the 28th to see what AMD announces fo Ryzen 3000. I don't see any current promotions for you today, but this would be nice:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Scythe - Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.89)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z390 AORUS PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - S340 ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $557.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-18 08:44 EDT-0400

 

[Hellfire13]

Primarily work / gaming. When I work I end up with a ton of programs open, definitely lots of chrome tabs.

The more threads you can get, the better it will be for your kind of workload. So, go with chips having SMT like i7/i9/r5/r7.