Question Need help with upgrades

[Dreamsfar]

I mainly use my PC for gaming and media, I feel like my rig needs a new part or two, probably CPU or GPU.
My problem is I have a limited budget and don't know enough to know what parts would be a cheap upgrade.

Currently I have:
Motherboard Asus P8Z77-V LX
CPU Intel i5-2500k 3.3ghz
Ram 16gb of DDR 3 Corsair
Nvidia GTX 680 with 4gb of ddr 5 ram

My budget is roughly 400$ which I assume would only get me one, maybe two parts.
What would help more new CPU or GPU?

 

[R_1]

I would replace them all.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450M PRO-M2 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($72.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - Radeon RX 580 8 GB AREZ Dual OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Business)
Total: $382.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-15 06:20 EDT-0400

rx 580 is a great card for 1080p, 16GB DDR4 at a speed ryzen loves, and a motherboard to plug them into, CPU speeds are a wash. A new platform with faster RAM and GPU can be had for the 400

 

[Shektron]

I would recommend waiting for Ryzen 3000 if you can, if it offers 6-cores at Ryzen 3 prices then it'd be a very good upgrade from your current build, probably within your budget(don't quote me on that, of course).

 

[SkyNetRising]

I'd have to say - upgrade from Intel i5-2500k to AMD Ryzen 3 2200G doesn't really seem to be worth it. Not much of improvement there.

Upgrade at least to AMD Ryzen 5 2400G.

 

[hftvhftv]

I'd agree with the above, leaves you room to upgrade to a much more powerful cpu later if you like.

 

[SgtScream]

R1 has sound advice. Stretch your budget to get a 6 core 12 thread chip. You can even pick one up possibly the 2600 dirt cheap on eBay:

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B450M PRO-M2 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($72.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - Radeon RX 580 8 GB AREZ Dual OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Business)
Total: $422.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-15 09:36 EDT-0400

 

[Finstar]

The i5 would beat the Ryzen 3 if overclocked... that's most definitely not worth upgrading to.
My suggestion would be to get a RTX 2060 and an aftermarket cooler for the i5 to overclock it.

 

[SgtScream]

The i5 would beat the Ryzen 3 if overclocked... that's most definitely not worth upgrading to.
My suggestion would be to get a RTX 2060 and an aftermarket cooler for the i5 to overclock it.

I have an i5 2500k overclocked to 4.9 ghz and it holds back my gtx 1070. We need to get this guy upgraded to a R5 platform.

 

[Finstar]

I have an i5 2500k overclocked to 4.9 ghz and it holds back my gtx 1070. We need to get this guy upgraded to a R5 platform.

That would depend on the game, resolution and settings.

I agree that a R5 would be an upgrade, but is it worth getting a poverty spec motherboard, much slower gpu (compared to a 2060) and still going over budget?
The 3000 series is coming in few months anyway and with it he can upgrade his cpu when he can afford it and get a much faster gpu now.

 

[SgtScream]

That would depend on the game, resolution and settings.

I agree that a R5 would be an upgrade, but is it worth getting a poverty spec motherboard, much slower gpu (compared to a 2060) and still going over budget?
The 3000 series is coming in few months anyway and with it he can upgrade his cpu when he can afford it and get a much faster gpu now.

Correct and I agree about third gen Ryzen. However that processor doesn't meet minimum system requirements for all modern day triple A titles so there wouldn't be any game dependencies at that point.

 

[Dreamsfar]

I see conflicting advice on replacing the CPU, one thing I have to consider is that after this upgrade I wont be able to purchase any more parts until december, or around this time next year. If I upped my budget to 500 do you guys think I could get a system with parts around what you are recommending?
I do have an aftermarket cooler on my CPU but Im honestly not sure it still works properly, so my CPU isn't overclocked right now.
Is the difference between high end ddr3 and ddr4 really that noticable?
If I only get a video card, is the RTX 2060 really good performance to $$ upgrade right now?
Also, thanks for the input so far guys

 

[SgtScream]

I see conflicting advice on replacing the CPU, one thing I have to consider is that after this upgrade I wont be able to purchase any more parts until december, or around this time next year. If I upped my budget to 500 do you guys think I could get a system with parts around what you are recommending?
I do have an aftermarket cooler on my CPU but Im honestly not sure it still works properly, so my CPU isn't overclocked right now.
Is the difference between high end ddr3 and ddr4 really that noticable?
If I only get a video card, is the RTX 2060 really good performance to $$ upgrade right now?
Also, thanks for the input so far guys

Since you cannot purchase parts until December, that's all the more reason to go with the above cpu/motherboard/memory/GPU/PSU parts list.
You will not need an aftermarket cooler with the above parts list otherwise we would have included it in the list.
Choosing a graphics card should be solely dependent on the resolution and refresh rate of your monitor. What is the make and model?

Upping your budget to $500 will allow you to get a newer Ryzen R5 2600 and an appropriately sized motherboard of the same ATX form factor of your previous one:

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($161.38 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($87.82 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($72.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - Radeon RX 580 8 GB AREZ Dual OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Business)
Total: $492.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-15 16:30 EDT-0400

 

[Dreamsfar]

I use this monitor
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KO4518I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If I'm going to replace basically all the core parts I need to consider a prebuilt one, as I'm not super confident at a total tear down and rebuild with new motherboard.
When I mention upping my budget, I meant, mainly for getting a premade, otherwise I very much need to try and stay at or under my 400$ budget.

 

[SgtScream]

What case?

 

[Dreamsfar]

I'm not sure what kind of case I have, my current case, motherboard, cpu, I got from a friend after his upgrade some years ago, not sure if the case has any kind of indicator I could use to look it up.

 

[R_1]

if you can turn a screwdriver, you can build a system. as you can see the community is more than willing to help you out should the need arise. I would avoid a prebuilt.
the system I posted above was built with the 400 being the hard budget. I assumed a 1080p screen and the 580/1060/1660 is ideal for that. the CPU was kept on the low end so replacement would be easy and the CPU in the build will offer a slight boost to what you are already accustomed to.
if the budget goes to 500 you can get the 2600x like so:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B450M PRO-M2 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($72.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - Radeon RX 580 8 GB AREZ Dual OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Business)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $514.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-15 16:44 EDT-0400

the case is important so we can get the right sized motherboard, nothing worse than a big ol' mobo in a tiny little case, it just don't work.
power supply is also an important piece of information. with new parts I would suggest a new one of those as well.
a touch over 500 but you will have a new system.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($161.38 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450M PRO-M2 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($72.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - Radeon RX 580 8 GB AREZ Dual OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Business)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $501.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-15 16:48 EDT-0400

the 2600 with power supply.

 

[Dreamsfar]

My case is Full size if that helps, and my power supply is already a 750.

 

[R_1]

My case is Full size if that helps, and my power supply is already a 750.

make model and age of the power supply please. it may be out of warranty, or may still have 7 years left.

 

[Dreamsfar]

Its one of these, but its at least 5 years old I think.
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categ...-Units/txm-series-2017-config/p/CP-9020131-NA
I am pretty sure this is the case I have
https://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r4-black-pearl-window

Is the Ryzen 5 1600x about as good as the 2600? How much actual difference is there, especially if I end up upgrading to the 3000 at some point?

 

[R_1]

the TX series has a 7 year warranty and is a heckuva PSU. the case will hold anything you want to put in there.
you can keep the PSU you have if you want, that would allow more funds to the CPU or GPU.

these results area generalization only, not cement, for the general idea.
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-Ryzen-5-2600-vs-AMD-Ryzen-5-1600X/3955vs3920

UserBenchmark: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs 2600X

 

[Shektron]

I think waiting for Ryzen 3000 is still the best option here, I don't see why you'd want to buy a 2600 now if you're going to buy a 3000 series processor when it launches anyway. I'm sure the i5 can hold on for a few more months until Ryzen 3000. A $500 budget is enough for a CPU+motherboard+RAM upgrade.

 

[Dreamsfar]

If I upgrade my motherboard I have to upgrade my CPU too right? And I won't be upgrading to a 3000 as soon as it comes out, in december if I'm lucky, or more likely next year.
Based on bench mark, the 2600 is only 1% better than 1600x, and 2600x is only 7% faster. $27 worth 7%? I can't imagine I would notice it?
For PSU, they work find until they don't work at all right?
I currently have this cooler for my CPU (I'm 90% sure good thing they all look slightly different) https://pcpartpicker.com/product/V2JwrH/corsair-cpu-cooler-h100i
I'm not sure if I need to replace my cpu cooler and I guess my psu is ok, so my part list looks like this right now: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/66WnxG

You guys have been super helpful so far. 🆒

 

[R_1]

like I said the benchmark results are for the general idea, but yeah real world you are hard pressed to notice.

you MAY need to order an AM4 mounting adapter for that cooler for it to be used on the new system, cooler pre-dates the AM4 socket
"If I upgrade my motherboard I have to upgrade my CPU too right?"
depends on the motherboard and CPU if the sockets match...
the 1600x should be able to upgrade to the 3000 series as they will share the same socket.
I do not trust a power supply out of warranty, if the maker only stands behind if for that long, so will I.
is the RBG lights on the PSU important? There are better more efficient units at that price point. referring to the thermaltake.
example:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dD...d-semi-modular-atx-power-supply-cp-9020133-na

 

[Dreamsfar]

The RGB is not that important, but I was looking at PSU that would be around 50$ on amazon, I was also thinking of this one:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7k4gXL/raidmax-power-supply-rx700acb
Also the newer corsair txm costs 89$ before mail in rebate, which is kinda pricey.
If I keep using my cpu cooler (which I just realized I could download fancy monitoring software for) is this the proper bracket? I couldn't find it for sale anywhere else so I guess that would be the only option for that?

 

[R_1]

raidmax have a reputation as system killers around the forums, they are worse than the thermaltakes to be honest.
Amazon and 50 bucks
https://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-S12III-SSR-500GB3-Control-Warranty/dp/B07MWG3911/ref=sr_1_3?fst=asff&keywords=500W+PSU&qid=1558000811&refinements=p_89:Corsair|EVGA|Seasonic&rnid=2528832011&s=pc&sr=1-3
Not the newest design but tried and true from one of the BEST makers of PSU's. same unit I suggested earlier without the modular cables, inside the PSU's are the same, the modular 12ii and the standard 12ii
you may need to contact corsair, the cooler maker for the proper backplate/mounting hardware for the new socket