So I've had this build since like, well I'm pretty sure the GPU I got back in 2014 but not sure about the rest. I think it could definitely do with a refresher somewhere. I do use the desktop for gaming, however, I generally get most of the AAA games on my PS4, with my PC being reserved more for games from the Blizzard or Paradox games catalogue, though I have also been recently getting into playing a lot of the upcoming game Escape from Tarkov. But I think now that university is wrapping up I'll most likely be sinking equal gaming time into my PS4 and my PC.
I play with two 1080p monitors, nothing really special about them.
I guess the reason I'm asking for advice is that I have a few concerns regarding my system:
- My GPU, the 4GB XFX R9 290 (stock cooler model), regularly gets to at least 90 degrees celsius. During winter this is no problem, but as we're now getting into summer my room does start getting quite warm, and even times such as last night when at most I was watching a YouTube video and browsing Reddit it was sitting at 92 degrees. Back in 2014 I paid around $530AUD for this card and it has honestly served me very well and still continues to do so, but I know graphics tech has come a long way and has had various generations in the last 5 years and I'd really like to look for a card that still performs well while being more efficient. I have a browse and compare some cards against the 290 over at HW Compare but I've lost touch with the computer parts scene so I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. I'm impartial to brand, I just want something that's reasonable for its price and ideally, I don't really want to pay more than I did 5 years ago for my 290.
-I'm aware RAM is now out as DDR4, though I know my motherboard probably can't handle that newer RAM, and if I'm going to have to upgrade my motherboard I'll most likely need a CPU due to different socket. What is a cost-efficient remedy for this? I think I'm happy sticking with an i5 (do I really need an i7?), likewise I'm sure I'd be happy with a Ryzen 5 over a Ryzen 7. I don't need something drastically powerful, but just powerful enough. I don't do overclocking so I don't need that fancy of a motherboard (just one that competently does the job), but I think if I'm going to be picky about something I guess I've wanted to get some RGB RAM just for the hell of it and to make use of my window desktop case. Honestly budget for this I'm not really sure. I've looked at some Australian parts stores and on one website you can get a bundle including a Ryzen 5 2600, ASUS Prime B450M-K board, and 16GB Team T-Force Dark 3200MHz DDR4 RAM for $419 (non-bundle price would be $443). So I guess I wouldn't want to spend more than $500 on these 3 items? I know the bundle doesn't include RGB RAM, but if push comes to shove and I really wanted to I would stretch the budget to be able to afford it.
-Cooling. As stated above my 290 gets to around 90 degrees normally, most other parts in my case (as per speccy) stay around the high 30s, low 40s. I assume that aside from just idling this would be in part also due to the ambient heat from the GPU. Would adding more air cooling to the case help rectify this? And are AIO CPU coolers really that much more beneficial? My case is a Corsair Carbide 400c with a window so it has some decent space for fans or radiators. I'm a little uncertain if this is the build I want to water-cool, though perhaps someday in the future I'll build one.
Any purchases would most likely occur over the next few months as I'd like to also see what sales happen around Christmas. Keeping sales in mind, if you recommend something that's within budget at the time of writing, though there's something a bit better out of budget, feel free to drop that recommendation too and I'll keep my eye on the prices over the holiday season.
Build summary:
CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.2GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR3 @ 799MHz
Motherboard: MSI H97 Gaming 3
Graphics: 4GB XFX AMD Radeon R9 290
Case: Corsair Carbide 400c
Any help or tips would be appreciated
I play with two 1080p monitors, nothing really special about them.
I guess the reason I'm asking for advice is that I have a few concerns regarding my system:
- My GPU, the 4GB XFX R9 290 (stock cooler model), regularly gets to at least 90 degrees celsius. During winter this is no problem, but as we're now getting into summer my room does start getting quite warm, and even times such as last night when at most I was watching a YouTube video and browsing Reddit it was sitting at 92 degrees. Back in 2014 I paid around $530AUD for this card and it has honestly served me very well and still continues to do so, but I know graphics tech has come a long way and has had various generations in the last 5 years and I'd really like to look for a card that still performs well while being more efficient. I have a browse and compare some cards against the 290 over at HW Compare but I've lost touch with the computer parts scene so I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. I'm impartial to brand, I just want something that's reasonable for its price and ideally, I don't really want to pay more than I did 5 years ago for my 290.
-I'm aware RAM is now out as DDR4, though I know my motherboard probably can't handle that newer RAM, and if I'm going to have to upgrade my motherboard I'll most likely need a CPU due to different socket. What is a cost-efficient remedy for this? I think I'm happy sticking with an i5 (do I really need an i7?), likewise I'm sure I'd be happy with a Ryzen 5 over a Ryzen 7. I don't need something drastically powerful, but just powerful enough. I don't do overclocking so I don't need that fancy of a motherboard (just one that competently does the job), but I think if I'm going to be picky about something I guess I've wanted to get some RGB RAM just for the hell of it and to make use of my window desktop case. Honestly budget for this I'm not really sure. I've looked at some Australian parts stores and on one website you can get a bundle including a Ryzen 5 2600, ASUS Prime B450M-K board, and 16GB Team T-Force Dark 3200MHz DDR4 RAM for $419 (non-bundle price would be $443). So I guess I wouldn't want to spend more than $500 on these 3 items? I know the bundle doesn't include RGB RAM, but if push comes to shove and I really wanted to I would stretch the budget to be able to afford it.
-Cooling. As stated above my 290 gets to around 90 degrees normally, most other parts in my case (as per speccy) stay around the high 30s, low 40s. I assume that aside from just idling this would be in part also due to the ambient heat from the GPU. Would adding more air cooling to the case help rectify this? And are AIO CPU coolers really that much more beneficial? My case is a Corsair Carbide 400c with a window so it has some decent space for fans or radiators. I'm a little uncertain if this is the build I want to water-cool, though perhaps someday in the future I'll build one.
Any purchases would most likely occur over the next few months as I'd like to also see what sales happen around Christmas. Keeping sales in mind, if you recommend something that's within budget at the time of writing, though there's something a bit better out of budget, feel free to drop that recommendation too and I'll keep my eye on the prices over the holiday season.
Build summary:
CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.2GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR3 @ 799MHz
Motherboard: MSI H97 Gaming 3
Graphics: 4GB XFX AMD Radeon R9 290
Case: Corsair Carbide 400c
Any help or tips would be appreciated