New PC or Upgrade

[w1ck3d_]

Current system specs:

4590 i5
8gb ddr 3 1600 (I have an additional 8 to throw in but never cap the current)
xfx 7850 radeon (2gb ddr5)
OCZ 650w psu
Cheap msi mobo (only bought this to be able to throw the 4590 in to replace my old fx cpu)
ocz agility 4 120gb ssd for OS
500gb WD blue caviar for storage.
Hyper 212 Cooler

Now, here is my question. I am wondering if it would make more sense to build new or just upgrade this pc? I play on a 27" monitor. I have two but typically disable the other when gaming. I enjoy 1080p and am in no hurry to get to 4k (these monitors were purchased together less than a year ago). Any suggesstions? Keep in mind I do recording as well. The system runs ok right now, but I obviously have to tone down some settings in some games (likely due to the 7850).

I was looking at a fresh build with a 6700k (I don't overclock but appreciate the stock speed), gpu I'm kind of undecided on (rx 480, 1070, 1080). 16gb of ddr4 3000, and bumping up to a full atx case vs the mid I use now. I know I'd need a new mobo for the 1151 socket, but is it worth it? On the other hand should I just update this and keep the 4950?

 

[sadams04]

Your i5 has plenty of life left in it and unless your 120GB SSD is filling up, you are still in fine shape. Upgrade the GPU (and maybe memory) and call that done until you build a new PC down the road. The GPU can be used in a future build so this won't limit your budget spend to the "old computer". At 1440 / 1200 resolution, the GTX 1070 is a good fit. For 4k gaming, the GTX 1080 is your target...

 

[Kurz]

GPU upgrade is needed for newer games.
Another 8 GB of Ram would be great.
Only if you want upgrade the SSD to a higher capacity, (Big fan of 850 EVOS)

I am still using a 2600K clocked at 4.5Ghz, I still don't feel the need to upgrade it.

 

[w1ck3d_]

Your i5 has plenty of life left in it and unless your 120GB SSD is filling up, you are still in fine shape. Upgrade the GPU (and maybe memory) and call that done until you build a new PC down the road. The GPU can be used in a future build so this won't limit your budget spend to the "old computer". At 1440 / 1200 resolution, the GTX 1070 is a good fit. For 4k gaming, the GTX 1080 is your target...

Thanks for the input Sadams04. If I don't upgrade it now I likely won't for a few years. You think it would have that left in it?

 

[w1ck3d_]

GPU upgrade is needed for newer games.
Another 8 GB of Ram would be great.
Only if you want upgrade the SSD to a higher capacity, (Big fan of 850 EVOS)

I am still using a 2600K clocked at 4.5Ghz, I still don't feel the need to upgrade it.

I guess that answers my question, but honestly I don't OC stuff (barely ever). I'm a big fan of the EVOs as well. Have a 750 in my gaming laptop and a brand new 850 in my desk right now lol.

 

[WildCard999]

I would put in the extra 8gb you have then upgrade the GPU depending on budget. Since your at 1080P a GTX 1060 or even 1070 (or AMD equivalent) would be a excellent improvement over that current 7850. If you do need the performance bump for the CPU I would consider the Xeon E3 1231 V3 since the performance is close to a i7 but much cheaper and that way you won't need to replace your MB or buy another OS, just drop in and play but the 4590 is still a good CPU for just gaming. For a case I would recommend the NZXT H440 or Phanteks EVOLV ATX.

 

[w1ck3d_]

I would put in the extra 8gb you have then upgrade the GPU depending on budget. Since your at 1080P a GTX 1060 or even 1070 (or AMD equivalent) would be a excellent improvement over that current 7850. If you do need the performance bump for the CPU I would consider the Xeon E3 1231 V3 since the performance is close to a i7 but much cheaper and that way you won't need to replace your MB or buy another OS, just drop in and play but the 4590 is still a good CPU for just gaming. For a case I would recommend the NZXT H440 or Phanteks EVOLV ATX.

Thanks WildCard999. This is the current motherboard I have:
https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/H81M-E33.html#hero-specification

I only purchased it to get rid of my very old FX cpu and get the boost from the 4590 i5. I see though that the pcie is only gen 2. Would that really damper the gpu much? This motherboard was only like 50 bucks when I bought it so it's definitely not high end.

 

[WildCard999]

Not really, the difference is very small and only in a couple of games that were tested.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/pci-express-3-0-vs-2-0-gaming-performance-gain/4/

 

[bignastyid]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from w1ck3d_ : "New PC or Upgrade"

Current system specs:

4590 i5
8gb ddr 3 1600
xfx 7850 radeon (2gb ddr5)
OCZ 650w psu
Cheap msi mobo (only bought this to be able to throw the 4590 in to replace my old fx cpu)
ocz agility 4 120gb ssd for OS
500gb WD blue caviar for storage.

Now, here is my question. I am wondering if it would make more sense to build new or just upgrade this pc? I play on a 27" monitor. I have two but typically disable the other when gaming. I enjoy 1080p and am in no hurry to get to 4k (these monitors were purchased together less than a year ago). Any suggesstions? Keep in mind I do recording as well. The system runs ok right now, but I obviously have to tone down some settings in some games (likely due to the 7850).

I was looking at a fresh build with a 6700k (I don't overclock but appreciate the stock speed), gpu I'm kind of undecided on (rx 480, 1070, 1080). 16gb of ddr4 3000, and bumping up to a full atx case vs the mid I use now. I know I'd need a new mobo for the 1151 socket, but is it worth it?

If you are content with gaming in 1080p, and don't see yourself going higher than that in the near future, I would just get 16 gigs of ram, and a 1070. That's a good CPU, and you wouldn't see a big difference in 1080p gaming by going up to a new i7.

If you wanted, tbh, you could really just get a 1060. The 1070 would be overkill for 1080p gaming, but if you wanted something a little more future proof, the 1070 would be the way to go.

If you have the money though, and feel like getting the most future proof system possible, then the Skylake i7 with a GTX 1080 would be the best combo you could go with here. Whether or not this is worth it is really up to you. If your sole purpose for this rig is 1080p gaming, and you aren't ever planning on going up to 2k or 4k, then I would say a new build isn't worth the extra money. If you want an upgrade-able system that will also be relevant in a few years, then I would say go for a new rig.

 

[w1ck3d_]

Not really, the difference is very small and only in a couple of games that were tested.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/pci-express-3-0-vs-2-0-gaming-performance-gain/4/

Thanks again WildCard999. So I might look at 1070s, as it sounds like you are saying the 1080 would be overkill until I decide to go to 1440p. Looking around the general consensus is that the new Nvidia gpus are overpriced so it's made me a little hesitant to upgrade since their release.

 

[WildCard999]

Price to performance the 1060/1070 are a better choice over the 1080, especially at 1080P and will still perform well at 1440P when you want to upgrade.

AMD cards are good and are usually recommended as a "budget" upgrade although they do perform well in DX12 games. Unless you can find a Fury X for a good price as of now I would go Nvidia.