Questions about upgrading some hardware.

[brinale853]

I recently (about 5 months ago) upgraded from an AMD GPU to a GTX 1050 Ti, and it runs really well, i don’t play a ton of games that need insane graphics, i play fortnite very well on max settings, but when i was looking into my PC lately i noticed i have some things i want to upgrade(i have an i3) I want to upgrade my MOBO and CPU. For gaming (i intend on getting into more higher graphics games soon) what would be my best bet? I don’t want to spend an INSANE amount but I’m willing to spend, from the last two hours of research I’m thinking maybe AMD RYZEN 5 2600X(219.99) with Gigabyte AB350-Gaming 3(84.99) this 1050 Ti isn’t going to be around for much longer. I have a separate case, and my buddy is selling me his 1060 6GB in the very near future, i plan on putting my 1050, old MOBO, and i3 all into the new shell, and just slowly build that up into a PC for my brother so when i visit home I can give it to him. Would the Ryzen with the Gigabyte be my best bet? That’s about $300 right there.


I just bought a DX-Racer like chair(not paying a crazy price for the brand name) Friday I’m building a new desk with my friend, that’s the perfect size for what i want, Bought a new Keyboard, and mouse. All will be here Tuesday and desk will be done by the end of the weekend. Just going kinda hard and rigging myself up completely

 

[Darkbreeze]

What are your CURRENT full system specs, including power supply model number?

What is your maximum budget allowance for the upgrade, not including the graphics card. Just for the motherboard, CPU and possibly memory depending on what you have now?

If your current memory is DDR3, you're going to have to upgrade that as well as it's not going to be compatible with any recent platform from the last three years or so.

 

[brinale853]

380W power supply EA-380D, i have an ASRock Mobo, don’t remember which one. I’m 99% sure i have DDR3, though the inside of my tower definitely needs some cable management I looked on my Ram and did not see any DDRs, though i didn’t look super hard. Would it be on the actual RAM? I might be able to find my receipt deep in the depths of amazon history

 

[Darkbreeze]

CPU model? (i3 isn't a model. It's a designation. There are like forty different versions of i3 from 9 different generations of Intel Core-i processors)

Motherboard model? (Printed on motherboard, either across the middle or along one of the edges. Usually, near where the 8 pin CPU power connector plugs into the motherboard in the upper left corner)

 

[brinale853]

MOBO is H97M-ITX ac and i3 is 4170 @3.7 GHz(4cpus)

 

[Darkbreeze]

Ok, so that's a DDR3 system. If you want to upgrade you are going to HAVE to upgrade CPU, motherboard AND memory. At minimum.

I would definitely not recommend using a B350 board with that 2nd Gen Ryzen CPU. If you're unlucky it won't work at all without an older CPU to update the bios with. Even if it comes with a recent enough bios to support that CPU, the B350 boards are not nearly as good as the more recent B450 and X470 boards. They lack many features and have far worse memory compatibility than the newer boards do and they definitely have worse power delivery.

Since your current board is a an ITX motherboard, your case might be a concern as well unless you intend to build another small form factor ITX build. Also, that power supply is extremely borderline capacity for the build and if you ever upgrade it's likely not going to be sufficient. I'm surprised it's not causing issues with your current graphics card and build. Not a terrible quality unit, not great either, but definitely on the smallish side.

 

[brinale853]

I plan on getting a new PSU, CPU, MOBO, and RAM. I don’t mind. All these things I’m replacing are going to be re-used by my little brother. I run PUBG decent settings, Fortnite MAX. CSGO 300+ FPS, so he’ll be able to play a lot of games with it. I’m all for basically cutting my PC. I just wanted to know what RAM, to go with what Mobo etc when i get my Ryzen.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Do you have a budget in mind?

What country are you in AND do you plan to purchase online or from local retailers?

 

[brinale853]

I don’t really have an EXACT budget. But i don’t want the extremely expensive high end, i want something that will run extremely well for a decent price. The Mobo+CPU+Ram+PSU i was looking at all together was 500-600~. I live in the US and my local Best Buy price matches with New egg, and they’re also hiring part time, i might go work there for a week or two to get their discount(cost +5%) I’m friends with the manager and he asked me to spread the word. But i might take him up on that just for the discount.

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you take that job up just for the discount, you might not be friends for long after your friend sticks his neck out to get you hired. Plus, if you're not already working, it's a job, until you find one you like better.

Ok, enough with the parental disgruntlement advice. LOL.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($209.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING ATX AM4 Motherboard ($123.91 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $518.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-18 18:13 EDT-0400

 

[brinale853]

Thank you for the citing! Also, he is a friend, but i work full time, and he told me if i don’t wanna work there for extra money he said at least help out for seasonal just for the discount. If i worked there through the end of the year i know he wouldn’t complain. Especially if i worked both jobs on Black Friday for 18+ hours. Done a lot of talking with my girlfriend and I’m going to take it. It’s 15-30 a week and i already work 45 so it’ll be a lot, but just temporarily, get an insane discount, and pay for all my parts with just the money i make from there.

 

[Darkbreeze]

That's cool. I was just giving you hell.

That's a damn good idea. Nothing wrong with that. If you can factor in working some extra hours or a second job, to get something you can't otherwise afford, I don't see how anybody can fault you for that.