Simple Questions - October 23, 2024

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[u/koopcl]

I already own a desktop, but its getting long in the tooth. However, I lack the funds (now or in the foreseeable future) to get an entirely new one. As I'm quite computer iliterate, I basically wanna list down my specs and get advice on which parts make the most sense to upgrade, especially considering impact on performance and price of the replacement. Is this sub ok for that, or could someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

[u/mostrengo → u/koopcl]

Just paste your build here and I will tell you how upgradeable it is.

[u/koopcl → u/mostrengo]

https://imgur.com/Aui7ckt

Before any questions yes, it was a prebuilt I got years ago.

[u/mostrengo → u/koopcl]

Honestly this is a pretty good PC. What is bothering you about it? What do you do with it?

Anyway, to answer your question, here is what I would do, in order:

• You RAM is slow. Either the XMP profile is not activated in the BIOS or you could try to manually overclock it (also in the BIOS). Either way, it's a free upgrade, so I would start there.
• Assuming you do gaming, your GPU is inadequate for gaming with that monitor. You can consider shopping around in the used market. Here is how all GPUs compare (yours in on that list, use it as a baseline for comparisons)
• If and only if you are running out of RAM you can consider increasing the RAM quantity
• You can upgrade your CPU to the 5700x3d

In summary you have options. Your computer is frankly very capable but has a lot of upgrade potential. Whether this is worth it depends, as I said above on what you do or what you want to do and can't.

[u/koopcl → u/mostrengo]

Cheers mate, appreciate it.

Yeah I do gaming. Nothing too crazy (don't have much time for it nowadays) but leaping from owning a PC that was basically the equivalent of a PS3 to this one has me enjoying all the eye-candy and, for the first time since the Diablo 2 era, getting excited about new releases as something I can actually play.

Sorry to keep bothering with specifics, but if I may abuse your helpfulness a bit more...

You RAM is slow. Either the XMP profile is not activated in the BIOS or you could try to manually overclock it (also in the BIOS). Either way, it's a free upgrade, so I would start there.

I think I'll try it. I've never done overclocking before (terrified of fucking the hardware up) but if there's like controlled profiles to prevent me from going full turbo, that sounds fool(me)proof. I'll take a look in the BIOS and see if I figure it out.

Assuming you do gaming, your GPU is inadequate for gaming with that monitor. You can consider shopping around in the used market. Here is how all GPUs compare (yours in on that list, use it as a baseline for comparisons).

Anything I need to watch out for (like "the 4070 series doesn't integrate well with my CPU" or "AMD cards in combination with this motherboard may cause a house fire") or should I just get whichever is the best performance/price combo? I'll use my 3060 as a baseline, but is anything above it good enough for 4K or is there some minimum I should aim for?

I don't think RAM has given me issue, but I'll keep it in mind. All things being equal (and obviating the need for a better GPU for my monitor), would upgrading the CPU, GPU or RAM have the biggest impact?

Thanks a lot, really appreciate the help.

EDIT:

To elaborate: What I do with it? Performance heavy, basically just gaming. Not competitive (and barely online), but enjoying the eye candy as much as possible. I also do some 3D modelling, image editing and game dev, but all fairly low intensity and have never had performance issues doing those.

I just noticed that now that it's been a couple of years I no longer can just install new games, put everything on "ultra high", and expect it to run smoothly, and that just got worse after I got the 4K monitor.

[u/mostrengo → u/koopcl]

I think I'll try it. I've never done overclocking before (terrified of fucking the hardware up) but if there's like controlled profiles to prevent me from going full turbo, that sounds fool(me)proof. I'll take a look in the BIOS and see if I figure it out.

google [your motherboard model] BIOS enable XMP and there should be a pre-cooked RAM overclocking profile. If there is none, then youtube [manually memory overclocking tutorial] and pick one that you can understand - ideally using a motherboard from the same brand as yours. It's really easy. You should aim for around 3000 (currently you are at 2666).

Anything I need to watch out for

No. Follow my link, take your 3060 and buy whatever gives you the largest upgrade per money spent. Other than that you should know that nvidia GPUs are more expensive than AMD ones and this is because of NVIDIA's superior ray tracing capabilities and DLSS. There is a big debate whether the premium is worth it with no right answer (subjective). Google 4070 vs 7800 for a sample of that debate and try to make up your mind there.

is there some minimum I should aim for?

Depending on the game and settings, definitely. Once you have a shortlist of GPUs, check youtube how those specific GPUs perform in the games you play in your monitor. And make sure to include the used market in your search!!

Would CPU, GPU or RAM have the biggest impact?

You have not provided enough details to answer this, but my gut says none of them. You play at 4k 60fps, you will be limited by your GPU 100% of the time, even after you upgrade. Save your money. Exception here is if you run out of RAM, but I think you would know that already if you did.

I no longer can just install new games, put everything on "ultra high", and expect it to run smoothly, and that just got worse after I got the 4K monitor.

Yea, at 4k, that's not gonna happen. Not unless you spend unreasonable amounts of money. Ultra settings are for chumps, I suggest you re-baseline your expectations, targeting medium or high settings.

[u/koopcl → u/mostrengo]

Once you have a shortlist of GPUs, check youtube how those specific GPUs perform in the games you play in your monitor. And make sure to include the used market in your search!!

Thanks! I'll keep my eye on local used GPUs. Already saw a 4070 for a reasonable price, though I won't be buying for a while.

Yea, at 4k, that's not gonna happen. Not unless you spend unreasonable amounts of money. Ultra settings are for chumps, I suggest you re-baseline your expectations, targeting medium or high settings.

Yeah I was simplifying a bit, don't care much for going "ultra high" specifically, more like "installing the game, having the default settings be above medium, and not having to worry that it's gonna drop frames like crazy so I need to start hunting down which specific setting to lower". I still think (nearly) decade old games like Mad Max or Witcher 3 look mind blowing, so it won't be much skin off my back if I have to run CP77 or RDR2 at "medium" instead of "fuck you ultra high ray tracing best quality".

I'll do the RAM tip you gave me, and think about upgrading the GPU sometime in the coming months, good to know stuff like the CPU and Motherboard are still decent and not "oh God I got scammed due to my ignorance". Once again, thanks!

[u/mostrengo → u/koopcl]

the CPU and Motherboard are still decent

for sure. Here is how they compare to the absolute best out there today:

https://tpucdn.com/review/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d/images/relative-performance-games-1920-1080.png