Build Advice Upgrading my rusty but trusty i5-4670k, motherboard and RAM ?

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dlads

dlads

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Sep 24, 2010
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Hi all,

Been a long time since I upgraded but due to a hefty CPU bottleneck I think it's may be time, plus my new GPU can't output hdmi audio over either, forcing me to use 3.5mm or optical.

I'm not exactly flush at the moment so have tried to be competitive yet retain some much needed performance.

Current spec:

CPU: I5 4670k 3.4Ghz @4.0Ghz
Mobo: Asrock extreme 4 z97
Ram: 16GB DDR3 Corsair vengeance
PSU: evga 850w gold

Proposed upgrade:

CPU: AMD 5700X £159.99 new
Mobo: MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS £109.99
RAM: 16GB DDR4 Corsair veng RGB 3200 £45

Total: £315

Keep the same PSU, hard drives are fine (although one does have a strong humming sound.

What do you think? I'd like to keep it as low as possible, could maybe go to 350 although I may
need a new CPU fan as I'm using a xigma stealth and I don't have the AMD connections any longer and I've read that the stock cooler isn't very good, it's there another option? Pricing has really hiked up compared to what it used to be, Intel is just ridiculous these days as are their corresponding motherboards.


Cheers 👍🏼
 
if you plan on going for AM4, get the 5800X3D. its the best CPU for the platform and will last longer than the non X3D chip.

If you feel the 5800X3D is a bit costly, look for 13400 B760 combo for about the same price:

B760: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product...o-atx-lga1700-motherboard-b760m-gaming-x-ddr4


The same goes for ram, try to get 3600mhz ones like these:


For air cooler, here are some choices:



I would also suggest a new PSU if it is more than 7 years old.

 
Last edited:
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Lucky_SLS said:
if you plan on going for AM4, get the 5800X3D. its the best CPU for the platform and will last longer than the non X3D chip.

If you feel the 5800X3D is a bit costly, look for 13400 B760 combo for about the same price:

B760: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product...o-atx-lga1700-motherboard-b760m-gaming-x-ddr4


The same goes for ram, try to get 3600mhz ones like these:


For air cooler, here are some choices:



I would also suggest a new PSU if it is more than 7 years old.

Click to expand...

As I said mate I'm trying to keep the cost down, that CPU is £120 more than the one I had my eye on its £271 on Amazon 13400 is £191.

Can agree on the ram, I'll aim for 3600 g-skill cheers.

The Friday tower is only £30 , that's a winner

Cheers👍🏼
 
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Looking at compared benchmarks between games I simply couldn't pick the 5800x3d over the 5700x, cyberpunk for example had zero difference and other games were easily over 120+ considering I mostly game at either 1080p or 2560x1080 (ultrawide) I don't think I need that extra grunt, but it does allow a little future proofing if I wanted to move up to a better CPU in the years/months to come.
 
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Lucky_SLS said:
^ the 13400 and B760 combo comes to 305

5700X and B550 comes to 270.

You can decide if new gen parts, more cpu performance is worth it or not.

B450 mobo options:


Click to expand...
As far as I can see the 13400 and b760 come to £350 on Amazon, trying to keep it down if I can..

And looking at benchmarks in games between the 13400 Vs 5700x the difference is really small anyway..

Barely a difference and outperformed in most considering I'll be using the 5700xt for gaming.
View: https://youtu.be/OsA52DkP8WU
 
So it's between these two builds.

AMD

G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin SDRAM PC4-28800 DDR4 3600 CL18-22-22-42 1.35V Dual Channel Desktop Memory Model F4-3600C18D-16GTZR https://amzn.eu/d/8WETV5a

£61.61


CPU - AMD Ryzen 7 5700X Desktop Processor (8-core/16-thread, 36 MB cache, up to 4.6 GHz max boost) https://amzn.eu/d/hkHy9I7

£159.99

Mobo - MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS Motherboard ATX - Supports AMD Ryzen 3rd Gen Processors, AM4, DDR4 Boost (4400MHz/OC), 1x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x M.2 Gen4 x4,1x M.2 Gen3 x4, Gigabit LAN, Black https://amzn.eu/d/aNaIelb

£109.99

Total: £332



Intel

Intel Core13th Gen i5-13400F Desktop Processor (10 Core (6 P-Core + 4 E-Core), 20 MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, LGA1700) https://amzn.eu/d/9kHLfy1

£191

Mobo - MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 Motherboard, ATX - Supports Intel 12th & 13th Gen Core Processors, LGA 1700 - DDR4 Memory Boost 5333+MHz/OC, PCIe 4.0 x16 Slots, M.2 Gen4 Slots, 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E https://amzn.eu/d/4nAa1cB

£137

G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin SDRAM PC4-28800 DDR4 3600 CL18-22-22-42 1.35V Dual Channel Desktop Memory Model F4-3600C18D-16GTZR https://amzn.eu/d/8WETV5a

£62

Total: £391

I am a little worried about the extra cost but then again, would I be able to use my already bought cooler on the 13400F?

If not then I'd have to add a cooler as well..

Difficult to weigh up.
 
There's no reason to spend that much on memory with those timings.

for AMD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PW3RDPN

for Intel:

Slower memory for Intel because non-K SKU have voltages locked so are limited in DDR4 compatibility.

As for which to pick while I'd generally point towards the newer platform in this case I'd say AMD is likely the better choice. If you're not going DDR5 then you're limited in upgrade path on the Intel side (13th gen K SKU CPUs can really use the extra bandwidth) whereas with AMD the 5800X3D is always going to be fantastic should you get one down the road.
 
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thestryker said:
There's no reason to spend that much on memory with those timings.

for AMD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PW3RDPN

for Intel:

Slower memory for Intel because non-K SKU have voltages locked so are limited in DDR4 compatibility.

As for which to pick while I'd generally point towards the newer platform in this case I'd say AMD is likely the better choice. If you're not going DDR5 then you're limited in upgrade path on the Intel side (13th gen K SKU CPUs can really use the extra bandwidth) whereas with AMD the 5800X3D is always going to be fantastic should you get one down the road.
Click to expand...
Yea that's where my head's at at the moment, for now at least all the games I have work really well, nothing has slowed down but the CPU is maxed out for most titles like days gone or even dirt 5..

It would mean waiting another month in order to get the CPU you suggested, I totally get the new gen of CPU plus ddr5 ram, it's just the additional cost to get there... For now it's a struggle for me..

It's going to be a struggle just to get what I've suggested, but thanks I'll look at the ram you suggested too 👍🏼

Tbh the only reason I went for that ram was because of the RGB and that it was highly rated and it was g-skill as people has advised on.. have never had RGB anything besides maybe my mouse
 
there are a lot of after market cooler support bracket in amazon, you just have to physically measure the mounting bracket distance and see if you find any that matches.

I could not find any Xigmatek "Stealth" model.
 
Lucky_SLS said:
there are a lot of after market cooler support bracket in amazon, you just have to physically measure the mounting bracket distance and see if you find any that matches.

I could not find any Xigmatek "Stealth" model.
Click to expand...
Yea I can feel an upgrade, it's just that it does such a good job and it's so silent, one of the most reliable buys I've ever made.

I was looking at the thermalright on Amazon for £33

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE White ARGB CPU Air Cooler,6 Heat Pipes Cpu cooler, Dual 120mm PWM Fan,Aluminium Heatsink Cover,AGHP Technology, for AMD AM4 AM5/Intel 1700/1150/1551/1200 https://amzn.eu/d/5nBwSu6

I've already started getting white cabling, as it looks nice In my case.. so if I could match up all my components then that'd be nice. Then a splash of RGB, not too much... The stealth did come with Intel and AMD fixtures but it seems they've moved on in order to make more money due to minor adjustments on the CPU housing..
 
Lucky_SLS said:
^ the peerless assassin is a good cooler!
Click to expand...
Mmmm In white with RGB for £33, sweet..

Think I'll definitely go for thermalright, least til I can afford some water cooling, then it'd probably be a closed loop with some extremely quiet fans, don't want to be fixing a custom water cooling solution all the time and then worrying about it.

My head's so conflicted about what CPU to buy, I can feel a horrible lesson impeding on me, something that I didn't do and have to learn the hard way.

If I can wiggle a new gen mobo / CPU / ram combo for less than £400 then I'll probably go with that, leaves or open to getting a faster CPU I suppose..will look into the gains and pricing.
 
dlads said:
Yea that's where my head's at at the moment, for now at least all the games I have work really well, nothing has slowed down but the CPU is maxed out for most titles like days gone or even dirt 5..

It would mean waiting another month in order to get the CPU you suggested, I totally get the new gen of CPU plus ddr5 ram, it's just the additional cost to get there... For now it's a struggle for me..

It's going to be a struggle just to get what I've suggested, but thanks I'll look at the ram you suggested too 👍🏼
Click to expand...
Yeah for sure that's why I think AMD is the better choice for you. You can get the setup you're looking at now and buy the faster CPU later (if you decide you want it) and still be in great shape. If you go Intel and choose to upgrade later you'll be losing performance unless you go DDR5 which costs more up front so it's harder monetarily speaking.
dlads said:
Tbh the only reason I went for that ram was because of the RGB and that it was highly rated and it was g-skill as people has advised on.. have never had RGB anything besides maybe my mouse
Click to expand...
G.Skill seems to be pretty expensive in the UK so you're overpaying compared to some of the other brands. Here's some other options with RGB that have better timings and may even be available cheaper:

PCPartPicker links for non RGB:
 
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thestryker said:
Yeah for sure that's why I think AMD is the better choice for you. You can get the setup you're looking at now and buy the faster CPU later (if you decide you want it) and still be in great shape. If you go Intel and choose to upgrade later you'll be losing performance unless you go DDR5 which costs more up front so it's harder monetarily speaking.

G.Skill seems to be pretty expensive in the UK so you're overpaying compared to some of the other brands. Here's some other options with RGB that have better timings and may even be available cheaper:

PCPartPicker links for non RGB:
Click to expand...

Cheers man,

Yea I'm swaying towards AMD myself, I mean the difference compared to what I've got at the moment will be night and day.

I like the Corsair RGB, they look pretty decent, I can live with £66... ATM my head's looking at the AMD setup, least that way I get what I want in one go...I've not seen the 5700xt as a minimum or even recommended on any specs for new games as yet so I have some time before I need to update..


Thanks again man 👍🏼
 
After a lot of googling, checking different configurations.. I've landed on this combination.

CPU


AMD Ryzen 7 5700X Desktop Processor (8-core/16-thread, 36 MB cache, up to 4.6 GHz max boost) https://amzn.eu/d/hkHy9I7


£159.99


Mobo


MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS Motherboard ATX - Supports AMD Ryzen 3rd Gen Processors, AM4, DDR4 Boost (4400MHz/OC), 1x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x M.2 Gen4 x4,1x M.2 Gen3 x4, Gigabit LAN, Black https://amzn.eu/d/aNaIelb


£109.99


RAM


G.SKILL 32GB Trident Z Neo DDR4 3600MHz PC4-28800 CL16 (16-19-19-39) RGB Dual Channel Kit (2x 16GB) https://amzn.eu/d/3E3a8V3


£103.99


Total: £373.97

Could go with 4000Mhz ram but apparently it doesn't play well with Ryzen so probably not worth it.. the difference overall between the 5700x and 5800x is small and compared to my 4670k.... Both offer massive boosts in performance.. hope this works on as it should, I'm a little worried about the motherboard but I think it's compatible and offers enough for the money.
 
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Actually scratch the MSI motherboard, I'm now looking at this one.

ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS (WI-FI), AMD B550 (Ryzen AM4) ATX motherboard (PCIe 4.0, dual M.2, 10 DrMOS, DDR4 4400, Intel® WiFi 6, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C) https://amzn.eu/d/erab0Lz

Dual m2 PCI 4.0 and 3.0... arms to be a much better board
 
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