[SOLVED] Two very different upgrade options. Which makes more sense right now?

[leejunfan]

Hey Guys,

My work on PC is mainly for video editing. I used to game heavily on it, AAA titles, but not so much anymore. However I do from time to time.

I am considering two different upgrades:

Option 1)

Upgrade my CPU from i5 -4460 to i7-4790.
Upgrade my GPU from GTX970 to RTX3060 or 3070 when it is out.
Upgrade my DD3 ram from 16GB to 32GM ram (if it is worth it)

Option 2)

Change the entire build to something better and not too expensive,
Maybe get the 3060 or 3070 GPU as well.


My Current build:

CPU: Intel i5-4460 @ 3.2 GHZ 6mb cache
MB: ASUS H97- PRO GAMER
RAM: DD3 Corsair (2X8gb) 1600MHZ CL9
GPU: MSI GTX970
PSU: Thermal take 775W
HD: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB
WD VelociRaptor 150GB - 10,000 RPM
WD 750GB - 7200RPM
WD My book 8TB (external) [ used only as back up]
CASE: Thermal Take element v blackedition
PSU: Thermal Take 775W Bronze.

 

[Barty1884]

My work on PC is mainly for video editing.

CPU: Intel i5-4460 @ 3.2 GHZ 6mb cache

You're likely going to benefit much more from a platform upgrade moreso than anything else.
If this is hobby-level, then maybe a Ryzen5 3600 (or older 1600 / AF or 2600 if you want to keep cost down)

If pro/prosume level, then a Ryzen7..... If your livelihood depends on it (and you can justify the expense), then perhaps either Threadripper or Intel-X chips?

Given an i5-4460 is still getting the job done (or barely), I assume? I'd probably lean towards a Ryzen5 personally.

Perhaps something like this:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($174.99 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B550M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($94.00 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($59.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $328.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-09-08 16:13 EDT-0400

Given what you're coming from, even the 2600 would be a solid option:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B450M Pro4-F Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($71.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $261.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-09-08 16:14 EDT-0400

I used to game heavily on it, AAA titles, but not so much anymore.
GPU: MSI GTX970

A GTX 970 is still a solid enough 1080p card. Probably more 'medium' territory for >60FPS these days, but ti's not like it's obsolete or anything.

Sure, you could upgrade the GPU, but of the options given what you do, the CPU/MB/RAM makes the most sense (to me at least).

 

[mdd1963]

It'd be hard to justify spending $170 on an i7-4790, although the 8 threads would help...

I'd go new, jumping to a DDR4-based platform around perhaps an X570 board and at least an R7-3700, possibly even a 3900X since you like to play with editing videos..(if semi-content to wait a few months, there are rumors of AMD releasing their next gen desktop CPUs in OCt or Nov...

 

[Prad_Bitt]

Hey Guys,

My work on PC is mainly for video editing. I used to game heavily on it, AAA titles, but not so much anymore. However I do from time to time.

I am considering two different upgrades:

Option 1)

Upgrade my CPU from i5 -4460 to i7-4790.
Upgrade my GPU from GTX970 to RTX3060 or 3070 when it is out.
Upgrade my DD3 ram from 16GB to 32GM ram (if it is worth it)

Option 2)

Change the entire build to something better and not too expensive,
Maybe get the 3060 or 3070 GPU as well.


My Current build:

CPU: Intel i5-4460 @ 3.2 GHZ 6mb cache
MB: ASUS H97- PRO GAMER
RAM: DD3 Corsair (2X8gb) 1600MHZ CL9
GPU: MSI GTX970
PSU: Thermal take 775W
HD: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB
WD VelociRaptor 150GB - 10,000 RPM
WD 750GB - 7200RPM
WD My book 8TB (external) [ used only as back up]
CASE: Thermal Take element v blackedition
PSU: Thermal Take 775W Bronze.

Platform upgrade definitely, keep the GPU or get a 2060/3060 (don't go for 20 super and make sure you get a good deal on the 2060, and only buy after the 3060 is out).
G.skill ripjaws v DDR4 3600 mhz 8×2/4
B550 chipset or B450 that is Ryzen 3000 ready (will be written on product page and box). Msi B450 Tomahawk Max is a good one
Ryzen 5 3600 with an aftermarket cooler preferably something like a Hyper 212 RGB Black at least or if you wanna go cheaper, Deepcool Gammaxx GTE V2 or Arctic 34 esports duo. Stock cooler is trash, don't believe reviewers, I have it, tried, it was trash.
That said, I don't know about the 3700X stock cooler, if you decide to go higher on the cpu since you have editing work.
GPU: like I said, wait for 3060, then get a 2060 or jump straight to 3060, don't get Super.
And if your PSU is aged, then at least a 550W Gold, preferably a 650W gold (check out Corsair TXM and RM/RMx), 750 is way too much