[SOLVED] Opinions on upgrade

[Evergreen917]

Hello,

I am trying to upgrade my PC. It is a HP Pavilion 580-023w prebuilt gaming PC.

The Specs are -

Motherboard: Odense2-k , H-170 Chipset

CPU: i5-7400 3.0 GHz

GPU: GTX 1060 3gb

RAM: 8 GB DDR4

I am on a budget so unfortunately I have to tweak this PC instead of getting a new rig. I am currently debating if I should get my CPU changed into I7-7700 or 7700K vs changing my GPU to something else. Maybe 1660TI? and probably replace my 8 gb ram to 16 gb.

What would be a better option? between CPU change or GPU change for this spec? Also, in terms of changing ram, can I change into any 2 x 8gb ram as long as it is DDR4? Mine is DDR4-2400 . Lastly, do I have to purchase a new cooler if I am just purchasing a 7700 non-K?

 

[Mcleese902]

Hello,

I am trying to upgrade my PC. It is a HP Pavilion 580-023w prebuilt gaming PC.

The Specs are -

Motherboard: Odense2-k , H-170 Chipset

CPU: i5-7400 3.0 GHz

GPU: GTX 1060 3gb

RAM: 8 GB DDR4

I am on a budget so unfortunately I have to tweak this PC instead of getting a new rig. I am currently debating if I should get my CPU changed into I7-7700 or 7700K vs changing my GPU to something else. Maybe 1660TI? and probably replace my 8 gb ram to 16 gb.

What would be a better option? between CPU change or GPU change for this spec? Also, in terms of changing ram, can I change into any 2 x 8gb ram as long as it is DDR4? Mine is DDR4-2400 . Lastly, do I have to purchase a new cooler if I am just purchasing a 7700 non-K?

I'd leave you're cpu alone . Instead I'd focus on upgrading your GPU and also your power supply; since prebuilt power supplys are shady . To increase your budget I'd suggest selling you're gtx 1060 and the 8gb stick of ram and get a 16gb kit . Perhaps upgrade the 1060 to a 1660 . 1660 are between 250-350$ CAD on ebay at the moment . Best of luck to ya !

 

[Karadjgne]

It's a HP. That means proprietary bios that may or may not actually recognise any i7. You'd have to check with HP cpu support to see if the i7-7700/k is supported or not on that mobo, regardless of whether it physically fits or not.

16Gb ram, no worries, simple upgrade, no restrictions, just keep it at 2400 as that's the best speed for the 7th gen cpus.

Gpu, that can help. But will be game dependent. You'll see most improvement with fps in games like GTA:V or Witcher3 or BF5 as those are cpu limited by a quad core, good gpu will allow maximum usage of the cpu instead of restricting it by detail settings. CSGO/LoL type games will have fps far above your monitor refresh, so even with a 1060-3 you should already be at ultra. So no real gains with a better gpu, details are already maxed.

Psu. Good idea to upgrade that to higher output/quality that'll be enough to cover any intended gpu upgrade.

 

[Phaaze88]

The cost of 'tweaking' this PC would be more expensive than you think:
Used 7700(still expensive considering how old they are) off of ebay: $250+
[Your Motherboard doesn't support the K version.]
2x 8GBs DDR4 2400 ram: $60-70
[Your motherboard only supports 4 and 8GB sticks, at only 2133 and 2400mhz speeds]
1660Ti: $260+
[1660Ti($260+) is overpriced for a 1080p card, besides, the RX 580($160+) is the best at that resolution... but it's not a great step up from the card you already have.]
Corsair CXM 450w power supply: $60
[You will have to change that psu at some point, especially if you want to use stronger graphics cards.

Total: $630+

Vs:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($73.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($66.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Keep your current card and change it later.
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $343.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-01 00:40 EDT-0400

 

[Karadjgne]

You forgot a couple things.

Being an HP, there's a bunch of proprietary stuff, like connectors, front panel switches etc that don't always transfer over to a new motherboard very well. That can be some serious headaches. So might as well add in a new case.

Storage has gotten realistically priced, so a good sized upgrade on ssd is a really decent idea.

Rx480 wasn't the best power draw card amd had, often pulling 90w+ from pcie slot.

All in all I'd replace those too.

That means everything gets replaced except the software/OS.

So add another $300+ to that cost.

Grand total for new pc = $643+

Sell old pc as is, fully built, totally complete minus OS (format storage fully add unregistered copy of 10). Should get $300-$400.

Grand total for a full replacement/upgrade of everything = $343 ish.