[SOLVED] Question about my current PC setup

[Ardbeat]

Dear readers,

I have a question about my current PC system.
Current PC specs:

• Monitor: BenQ 24 inch XL2411Z (144Hz)
• Windows 10, 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i7 4790 (non-K)
• Mobo: Asus Z97-K
• Ram: 2x 4GB DDR3-1600
• GPU: Sapphire R9 280X 3GB GDDR5 TRI-X OC
• PSU: Cooler Master B600
• SSD: SanDisk 128GB
• Harddrive: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003, 1 TB
• Case: Cooler Master N300

I know this is a fairly old and outdated gaming rig but my question is, if I were to improve something, which part needs the biggest improvement?

The PC will be used for playing any games that are out now or will come out for the upcoming 2 years or so. I don't care about playing every game in ultra settings. Medium settings are also fine, as long as the game will be playable with a decent FPS rate.
This rig can handle BF4 and BF1 easily, it gets some troubles with the new COD warzone.

Chears,

 

[geofelt]

What kinds of games do you play?
Do you have a budget in mind?

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one or more cores/threads. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of threads to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.



It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system,
and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Looking at your specs, I might guess that a graphics card upgrade would be in order.
That would be a simple upgrade that can be carried forward to anything you might want to do.
Perhaps a GTX1660ti class card.

From the cpu side, you now have 8 threads which should be fine for all but perhaps multiplayer games.
If you swap the cpu for a i7-4790K you will get better per core performance, more if you will overclock.
Anything stronger and you are looking at not only a cpu change, but motherboard and ddr4 ram also.

Lastly, you never want to be short of ram 8gb is a bit short.
16gb is about right.

A 120gb ssd is going to start to slow down and lose endurance once it nears 90% full.
I would plan on something larger.

 

[Ardbeat]

What kinds of games do you play?
Do you have a budget in mind?

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one or more cores/threads. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of threads to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.



It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system,
and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Looking at your specs, I might guess that a graphics card upgrade would be in order.
That would be a simple upgrade that can be carried forward to anything you might want to do.
Perhaps a GTX1660ti class card.

From the cpu side, you now have 8 threads which should be fine for all but perhaps multiplayer games.
If you swap the cpu for a i7-4790K you will get better per core performance, more if you will overclock.
Anything stronger and you are looking at not only a cpu change, but motherboard and ddr4 ram also.

Lastly, you never want to be short of ram 8gb is a bit short.
16gb is about right.

A 120gb ssd is going to start to slow down and lose endurance once it nears 90% full.
I would plan on something larger.

Thanks for your reply!
The types of games that I play may vary a lot, ranging from games like the Witcher 3, RDR2, COD, BF to games like CSGO. It can be anything that attracts me haha.
As for the budget I don't really have a budget, I just don't want to spend too much on it, more likely just a subtle improvement for example by switching the graphics card for around 250/300 euro.
Also I am not really planning on switching the CPU and therefore my MOBO and RAM. I am able to get 8GB ram more into this system because I have an old pc system that I dont use anymore somewhere, so I can get this 8GB of ram and put it into this rig.

So what do you think will be the best graphics card for a i7 4790, z97-k and DDR3 ram that will probably perform well in games in the near future (2-4 years)?

 

[geofelt]

Who knows what 6 months will bring, let alone 2-3 years.
With your budget, buy the strongest gpu your budget will allow.
I might imagine that might be a RX5700 or GTX1660ti class card.