Tips on an Upgrade

[luke.wightman1]

Hello,

I am looking to upgrade my PC. I was wondering if I could get some advice and tips. I will be using the PC for flight simulation (CPU intensive) and streaming (also CPU intensive). I use two monitors: one at 4K, the other at 1920x1080.

Current:
Motherboard: Intel DB75EN
CPU: i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
GPU: GTX 1060 6GB
RAM: 8 GB DDR3 (Two Sticks)
SSD: 250 GB Samsung 840 Series
HDD: 2 TB Seagate Barracuda
PSU: 600W Thermaltake TR2

Proposed Upgrade:
Motherboard: ASUS Z370-A
CPU: i7 8700K @ 3.7GHz (Hopefully OC'ed)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H115i Liquid Cooler
GPU: GTX 1060 6GB (Remains the Same)
RAM: 16 GB Micron 2133 GHz DDR4 (Two Sticks)
SSD: 250 GB Samsung 840 Series (Remains the Same)
HDD: 2 TB Seagate Barracuda (Remains the Same)
PSU: 600W Thermaltake TR2 (Remains the Same)


My main concern is whether my GPU is too weak for the 8700K.

Thanks for any help!

 

[norcalsc]

it will be fine for the time being.

 

[luke.wightman1]

it will be fine for the time being.

Alright, would it be a good idea to eventually upgrade to a GTX 1070 Ti?

 

[zoltan.boese]

I would recommend you to read this test https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/Ryzen_7_2700X/9.html
A system built around an 2700x with high frequency RAM could be better. Do you have the AMD mounting kit to your H115i?

 

[Darkbreeze]

What is the EXACT model number and revision of that TR2 power supply? The reason I ask is because most of them are total garbage. Extremely terrible quality. Known for wrecking systems.

This was my very first post on Tom's hardware, four years ago.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2194316/likelihood-psu-failure.html

I know a thing or two about those units and they are nothing but trouble. You will want a higher quality power supply if you don't want to see your hardware take a dirt nap at some point.

That being said and out of the way, a GTX 1060 is not "too weak" for an 8700k. The 8700k is more CPU than what is strictly needed for the GTX 1060, for gaming, but flight sims can be very CPU intensive and there are a generally a lot of other things going on in the background that sometimes make having a little extra muscle not a bad thing. Plus, if you buy a CPU that is ONLY good enough for your current GPU card, and then upgrade to a higher tiered card or newer architecture later on, you might find that you are kicking yourself for not spending a little extra now on a CPU that might be more than you need now, but ends up being exactly what you need later.

If you can afford it, reasonably, it would be better than the lower tiered options.

Also, it's definitely worth considering a Ryzen build. The 2700x has nearly as good single core gaming performance as the 8700k and on highly threaded games it beats it pretty handily, and is a lot cheaper.

 

[luke.wightman1]

What is the EXACT model number and revision of that TR2 power supply? The reason I ask is because most of them are total garbage. Extremely terrible quality. Known for wrecking systems.

This was my very first post on Tom's hardware, four years ago.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2194316/likelihood-psu-failure.html

I know a thing or two about those units and they are nothing but trouble. You will want a higher quality power supply if you don't want to see your hardware take a dirt nap at some point.

That being said and out of the way, a GTX 1060 is not "too weak" for an 8700k. The 8700k is more CPU than what is strictly needed for the GTX 1060, for gaming, but flight sims can be very CPU intensive and there are a generally a lot of other things going on in the background that sometimes make having a little extra muscle not a bad thing. Plus, if you buy a CPU that is ONLY good enough for your current GPU card, and then upgrade to a higher tiered card or newer architecture later on, you might find that you are kicking yourself for not spending a little extra now on a CPU that might be more than you need now, but ends up being exactly what you need later.

If you can afford it, reasonably, it would be better than the lower tiered options.

Also, it's definitely worth considering a Ryzen build. The 2700x has nearly as good single core gaming performance as the 8700k and on highly threaded games it beats it pretty handily, and is a lot cheaper.

Thanks for the great answer. How can I find the exact model number? I don't have the box for it. Which PSU would you recommend instead of it?

 

[luke.wightman1]

I would recommend you to read this test https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/Ryzen_7_2700X/9.html
A system built around an 2700x with high frequency RAM could be better. Do you have the AMD mounting kit to your H115i?

Not sure if I have the mounting kit, I haven't purchased anything yet. I read somewhere that the i7 8700K was better for flight sim but maybe I was wrong. I'll keep it in mind!

 

[Darkbreeze]

The exact model number will be listed on the specifications decal ON the power supply itself. Usually this can be seen with the unit installed but on some models you might have to remove the four screws that hold it to the case (With the power unplugged of course) and turn the unit to see the other two sides.

There will be a decal or printed directly on the power supply.

 

[luke.wightman1]

The exact model number will be listed on the specifications decal ON the power supply itself. Usually this can be seen with the unit installed but on some models you might have to remove the four screws that hold it to the case (With the power unplugged of course) and turn the unit to see the other two sides.

There will be a decal or printed directly on the power supply.

I'm a bit busy this weekend, not able to find the model number yet. Will get it soon. Which PSU would you recommend instead?

 

[Darkbreeze]

That depends on what you feel you can actually budget for a PSU, AND, what country you are in?

Also, whether you are ok with buying from online retailers or need to buy from local shops?

 

[luke.wightman1]

That depends on what you feel you can actually budget for a PSU, AND, what country you are in?

Also, whether you are ok with buying from online retailers or need to buy from local shops?

I'm in Canada, don't care whether it's online or local, and no more than around $200 but I'm not sure how expensive PSU's are.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Any of these would be excellent choices.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-21 12:45 EDT-0400


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: Antec - Earthwatts Gold Pro 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $64.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-21 12:46 EDT-0400


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($72.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $72.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-21 12:47 EDT-0400

 

[luke.wightman1]

Any of these would be excellent choices.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-21 12:45 EDT-0400


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: Antec - Earthwatts Gold Pro 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $64.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-21 12:46 EDT-0400


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($72.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $72.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-21 12:47 EDT-0400

Awesome, I'm looking at the Corsair one but 750W. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Darkbreeze]

Anytime.