Advice on pc upgrade

[Keez]

Hi guys i want to start gradually upgrading my pc to a 3070 build.
Need advice on where i can start with the upgrades. Im basically gonna keep the case and the psu.
Any advice and if you have upgrade recommendations because i dont know if i should switch cpu from intel to amd.
Current build is:
17-8700 @4.6Ghz
Cooler Master CPU Cooler
MSI Z370 gaming Plus Motherboard
32GB Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz Ram
Gigabyte Aorus GTX 1080T| 11GB OC
256GB nVME * Cooler
1 TB HHD
Corsair 650W PSU 80 Gold

 

[Tapsumbong]

Sell 1080Ti for R3500 buy 3070 for 5.5-6k, play games, happiness 😊

 

[TheJudge]

I used a bottleneck calculator for 1440p gaming and the 8700 (stock) would bottleneck to the tune of around 15%. But then I don't really trust calculators (too many factors).

As @Tapsumbong mentions you can get a second hand 3070 for R5500 to R6000.

To get less bottleneck you'd probably need a Ryzen 5600 or similar. But at what cost? You could keep the RAM and ditch the CPU, mobo combo to try and recoup some cash but I doubt it would be worth it if you then have to get a B550 board and 5600 which would probably set you back around R4k second hand.

I mean if you find a good deal then maybe consider it to later get one of the X3D CPUs.

 

[goldfritter]

If you're playing mainly fast-spaced competitive games at 1080p and you want more FPS, a CPU (and motherboard) upgrade is probably a better start.

If you're playing more single player games where you want to turn the graphics settings up, go for GPU first. And if you're at 1440p (or 4k) definitely start with the GPU.

650W PSU might be marginal for a 3070. Check the PSU requirement for the GPU you're eyeing to be sure.

Getting a decent AM4 motherboard (B450, B550, maybe X570 if you get a good deal) and a 5600(X) is probably the minimum target for a CPU upgrade. If you stick with AM4 you don't need new RAM. The next step up is a 5700X3D but that's a chunk more expensive. The best gaming CPU right now is the 7800X3D but that is even more expensive and requires a new motherboard and RAM.

 

[Keez]

I used a bottleneck calculator for 1440p gaming and the 8700 (stock) would bottleneck to the tune of around 15%. But then I don't really trust calculators (too many factors).

As @Tapsumbong mentions you can get a second hand 3070 for R5500 to R6000.

To get less bottleneck you'd probably need a Ryzen 5600 or similar. But at what cost? You could keep the RAM and ditch the CPU, mobo combo to try and recoup some cash but I doubt it would be worth it if you then have to get a B550 board and 5600 which would probably set you back around R4k second hand.

I mean if you find a good deal then maybe consider it to later get one of the X3D CPUs.

Yeah will try that was looking at getting maybe a 5800 cpu. Want to completely upgrade the pc so that i dont bottleneck the gpu

 

[Keez]

If you're playing mainly fast-spaced competitive games at 1080p and you want more FPS, a CPU (and motherboard) upgrade is probably a better start.

If you're playing more single player games where you want to turn the graphics settings up, go for GPU first. And if you're at 1440p (or 4k) definitely start with the GPU.

650W PSU might be marginal for a 3070. Check the PSU requirement for the GPU you're eyeing to be sure.

Getting a decent AM4 motherboard (B450, B550, maybe X570 if you get a good deal) and a 5600(X) is probably the minimum target for a CPU upgrade. If you stick with AM4 you don't need new RAM. The next step up is a 5700X3D but that's a chunk more expensive. The best gaming CPU right now is the 7800X3D but that is even more expensive and requires a new motherboard and RAM.

Thanks will look into it. Will probably go the route you’re suggesting as its not to expensive of an upgrade

 

[Areola Grande]

650W PSU is totally adequate for a 3079, if it’s a decent one. I ran a 3070 and now my 4070TI on a 650W for about 4 years now, no issues.

 

[heinreich]

Just buy a 4090 and 4k 144hz no cap.

 

[TheJudge]

Yeah will try that was looking at getting maybe a 5800 cpu. Want to completely upgrade the pc so that i dont bottleneck the gpu

Games are strange, some want GHz, others want cores so see what your favourites thrive on.

With the 5700X3D and 5600X3D coming out it's interesting to see how the 5600X3D is faster in some games.

Same applies with the non X3D CPUs. That's why in the past some budget CPUs could keep up with higher end ones simply because of single core performance.

But yeah, lower resolution means the CPU etc limits FPS whereas in higher resolutions/detail settings the GPU is the deciding factor.

 

[goldfritter]

Games are strange, some want GHz, others want cores so see what your favourites thrive on.

With the 5700X3D and 5600X3D coming out it's interesting to see how the 5600X3D is faster in some games.

Same applies with the non X3D CPUs. That's why in the past some budget CPUs could keep up with higher end ones simply because of single core performance.

But yeah, lower resolution means the CPU etc limits FPS whereas in higher resolutions/detail settings the GPU is the deciding factor.

Small point, the 5600X3D was exclusive to Microcenter stores in the US. They were never released here.

 

[JollyJamma]

Hi guys i want to start gradually upgrading my pc to a 3070 build.
Need advice on where i can start with the upgrades. Im basically gonna keep the case and the psu.
Any advice and if you have upgrade recommendations because i dont know if i should switch cpu from intel to amd.
Current build is:
17-8700 @4.6Ghz
Cooler Master CPU Cooler
MSI Z370 gaming Plus Motherboard
32GB Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz Ram
Gigabyte Aorus GTX 1080T| 11GB OC
256GB nVME * Cooler
1 TB HHD
Corsair 650W PSU 80 Gold

If you wanted to get a 3080, I’d suggest a better PSU is all. 650 watts is cutting it very close.

If you wanted to get a 3080, I’d suggest a better PSU is all. 6500 watts is cutting it very close.

CPU is fine, not great but fine.

One thing you can do to alleviate a CPU bottleneck is move to higher res gaming.

1440P gaming puts more pressure on the GPU so the CPU is under less stress, 4K even more so.

For example, an I3 13100 in a 4K gaming rig is often not far off an i5 13600 - it’s not great but it’s not far off.

You could get an AMD AM4/LGA1700 rig as an upgrade down the line as the others have said but I’d focus on the GPU for now.

Something like an i5 13400 or 13600 or 5700X or 5700X3D with your current RAM would be a very good upgrade.

 

[Keez]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have a good idea what i’m gonna do, and i have a better understanding on how some stuff mash together 😄