Question Should I upgrade my 4 year old system?

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WolfTooth

Jun 24, 2024
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So I originally bought a custom build PC on iBuyPower roughly four years ago. The system has been very good for me but the storage and memory constraints are starting to really creep up and I can only imagine they will get worse in time.

My question is if I should invest in an upgrade *now* or wait until a later date? Both the RAM and Storage are starting to make playing modern games exceedingly more difficult. Loading times on games like Il-2 sturmovik and Warhammer III on my hard drive are rather lengthy and I often have to cycle play larger games simply to have enough space for them.

The RAM is a bigger issue. I admit, I play star citizen. But I also play Distant Worlds 2 and Galactic Civilizations IV both of which recommend 32gb of ram for larger maps. Newer games coming out also seem to increasingly recommend 32gb.

Finally. The CPU is over 4 years old but seems to mostly hold it's own still. Would it be worth upgrading just for future proofing? Or is it fine as is? If I do upgrade it, should I wait for the 9000 series?

TLDR; Should I upgrade my system now? Or wait for a little longer?


Current CPU: 3700x
GPU: 3060 ti
Mobo: ASRock B550 Pro4
Ram: 16 GB - 2 XPG Sticks
Storage:
250 GB SSD ADATA SU750
1 TB HDD Seagate Barracuda ST1000DMO10-2EP102
Cooler: Unknown Air Cooler
PSU: Unknown

Can no longer see the full spec parts for a 4 year old order it seems. The cooler was a replacement - the old water cooler failed.
 
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WolfTooth said:
United States.
$1500-$2000 max.
1920x1080
Click to expand...
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($104.97 @ B&H)
Video Card: *Zotac Twin Edge GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12 GB Video Card ($587.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: *SeaSonic FOCUS GX-750 ATX 3.0 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1081.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-06-24 15:47 EDT-0400
 
Last edited:
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If you're happy with the system, you should do a targeted upgrade instead of a full system rebuild. Es. since it's an easy fix!

A 2Tb NVMe: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2V...-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fpk002t0c101
1 Tb model: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2x...-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fpk001t0c101

Ditch the HDD, or use it for picture/video storage. Anything that doesn't require fast read/write times can be stored there. Even games that don't load too slowly.
Create a new Steam library on the new NVMe, and migrate games that need speed onto it.


Excellent RAM kit: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kX...16-gb-ddr4-3200-cl16-memory-f4-3200c16d-32gvk
2x16Gb for a total of 32 for a very reasonable price.

You're limited to either 32Gb or 64Gb (no 48Gb like DDR5), so if you think you'll use more than 32Gb:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kG...-2-x-32-gb-ddr4-3200-memory-f4-3200c16d-64gvk
You have the venerable G.Skill or the slightly cheaper Patriot Steel to choose from.


None of these break the bank, so that's what i'd suggest.


Also, what's with the unknown PSU? You need to know if you have a good one or a ticking time bomb.
 
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You could upgrade that system and sell off parts you replace. Use the SSD for games storage, and keep your current HDD for pictures, documents and such.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Phantom Gaming OC Radeon RX 7900 XT 20 GB Video Card ($699.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-850 ATX 3.0 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1199.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-06-24 15:45 EDT-0400
 
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PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($142.27 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Silicon Power Value Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($94.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($104.97 @ B&H)
Video Card: *Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB Video Card ($799.99 @ B&H)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.00 @ B&H)
Power Supply: *be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.90 @ Amazon)
Monitor: *Acer VG271U M3bmiipx 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz Monitor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1852.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-06-24 16:32 EDT-0400
 
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WolfTooth said:
The system has been very good for me but the storage and memory constraints are starting to really creep up and I can only imagine they will get worse in time.
My question is if I should invest in an upgrade *now* or wait until a later date? Both the RAM and Storage are starting to make playing modern games exceedingly more difficult.
Click to expand...
You're happy with performance of your system.
Then upgrade RAM and storage only.

Why are you even considering full system replacement for $2000?
 
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WolfTooth said:
So I originally bought a custom build PC on iBuyPower roughly four years ago. The system has been very good for me but the storage and memory constraints are starting to really creep up and I can only imagine they will get worse in time.

My question is if I should invest in an upgrade *now* or wait until a later date? Both the RAM and Storage are starting to make playing modern games exceedingly more difficult. Loading times on games like Il-2 sturmovik and Warhammer III on my hard drive are rather lengthy and I often have to cycle play larger games simply to have enough space for them.

The RAM is a bigger issue. I admit, I play star citizen. But I also play Distant Worlds 2 and Galactic Civilizations IV both of which recommend 32gb of ram for larger maps. Newer games coming out also seem to increasingly recommend 32gb.

Finally. The CPU is over 4 years old but seems to mostly hold it's own still. Would it be worth upgrading just for future proofing? Or is it fine as is? If I do upgrade it, should I wait for the 9000 series?

TLDR; Should I upgrade my system now? Or wait for a little longer?


Current CPU: 3700x
GPU: 3060 ti
Mobo: ASRock B550 Pro4
Ram: 16 GB - 2 XPG Sticks
Storage:
250 GB SSD ADATA SU750
1 TB HDD Seagate Barracuda ST1000DMO10-2EP102
Cooler: Unknown Air Cooler
PSU: Unknown

Can no longer see the full spec parts for a 4 year old order it seems. The cooler was a replacement - the old water cooler failed.
Click to expand...
Depends on how high up the perf ladder you want to go.

If you want to keep it simple.
Clean the crude out of the innards.
Get the proper bios and drivers.
Make sure you have a quality psu.
Replace the hdd with a ssd.
Replace the ram with a 2x16Gb kit.

Should give a nice bump.
 
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35below0 said:
If you're happy with the system, you should do a targeted upgrade instead of a full system rebuild. Es. since it's an easy fix!

A 2Tb NVMe: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2V...-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fpk002t0c101
1 Tb model: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2x...-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fpk001t0c101

Ditch the HDD, or use it for picture/video storage. Anything that doesn't require fast read/write times can be stored there. Even games that don't load too slowly.
Create a new Steam library on the new NVMe, and migrate games that need speed onto it.


Excellent RAM kit: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kX...16-gb-ddr4-3200-cl16-memory-f4-3200c16d-32gvk
2x16Gb for a total of 32 for a very reasonable price.

You're limited to either 32Gb or 64Gb (no 48Gb like DDR5), so if you think you'll use more than 32Gb:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kG...-2-x-32-gb-ddr4-3200-memory-f4-3200c16d-64gvk
You have the venerable G.Skill or the slightly cheaper Patriot Steel to choose from.


None of these break the bank, so that's what i'd suggest.


Also, what's with the unknown PSU? You need to know if you have a good one or a ticking time bomb.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!

Both the PSU and Air Cooler are unknown. I will check on what they are soon.
 
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If you want a full system build.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($33.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ATX AM5 Motherboard ($164.43 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Phantom Gaming OC Radeon RX 7900 XT 20 GB Video Card ($699.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($75.00 @ B&H)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-850 ATX 3.0 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer VG271U M3bmiipx 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz Monitor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1838.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-06-24 20:15 EDT-0400
 
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WolfTooth said:
So I originally bought a custom build PC on iBuyPower roughly four years ago. The system has been very good for me but the storage and memory constraints are starting to really creep up and I can only imagine they will get worse in time.

My question is if I should invest in an upgrade *now* or wait until a later date? Both the RAM and Storage are starting to make playing modern games exceedingly more difficult. Loading times on games like Il-2 sturmovik and Warhammer III on my hard drive are rather lengthy and I often have to cycle play larger games simply to have enough space for them.

The RAM is a bigger issue. I admit, I play star citizen. But I also play Distant Worlds 2 and Galactic Civilizations IV both of which recommend 32gb of ram for larger maps. Newer games coming out also seem to increasingly recommend 32gb.

Finally. The CPU is over 4 years old but seems to mostly hold it's own still. Would it be worth upgrading just for future proofing? Or is it fine as is? If I do upgrade it, should I wait for the 9000 series?

TLDR; Should I upgrade my system now? Or wait for a little longer?


Current CPU: 3700x
GPU: 3060 ti
Mobo: ASRock B550 Pro4
Ram: 16 GB - 2 XPG Sticks
Storage:
250 GB SSD ADATA SU750
1 TB HDD Seagate Barracuda ST1000DMO10-2EP102
Cooler: Unknown Air Cooler
PSU: Unknown

Can no longer see the full spec parts for a 4 year old order it seems. The cooler was a replacement - the old water cooler failed.
Click to expand...
honestly am4 is dirty cheap atm update either to 4 sticks of 8gb or 16gb kit

since your playing very heavy cpu games

you could slap a ( after bios update)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X that gives you 12 cores which is more then enough for games like civ 6 etc​


going to 5000 series opens you to faster storage.


3060 ti is fine for 1080p and some 1440p depending on settings but it will last longer as a 1080p card
 
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