PC Upgrades for me and the wife

[HighClassHobo]

Hey All,

I am getting back into pc gaming a bit more after being AFK for some time, and I feel my pc's age when I started playing Helldivers. So I have come to find some purchasing and build guidance in this sea of overwhelming options. I have one budget, but two PC's to upgrade since my Wife's PC is also a bit old. Find below the details:

My Current Rig:
GPU: RTX 3070 Ti 8gb
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO
16gb RAM
PSU: I think its a 750W
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p

Use Case: Gaming
My desired upgrades: I think the GPU should be fine, so just looking for some quality advice on the rest. Unless there is a more than significant price to value increase in upgrading the GPU.


My Wifes current Rig:
GPU: GTX 1070ti
CPU: Ryzen 5 3400 (3.6ghz)
Mobo: Asus Prime A320M-K
RAM: 32 GB
PSU: 600 or 750W
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p

Use Case: Gaming, Rendering/Blender etc
We think probably a GPU upgrade should be enough, but not sure how big of a bottleneck the CPU is, it would just be a bit costly to do an AM5 upgrade for both of us.

We both really want to get into ARK: Survival Ascended, and she plays a lot of Minecraft. I'd really like to play something like Cyberpunk or Dragons dogma and Helldivers and enjoy myself doing so.

Budget wise, we're probably looking at around 12k - 20k for both of us combined. Would be awesome to get some informed suggestions.

Thanks in advance for those who can make the time for a reply

 

[goldfritter]

1 word: 5800X3D.

 

[HighClassHobo]

1 word: 5800X3D.

Its a really competitive price point, and would not need me upgrading the entire mobo + ram kit, but Is buying into the older socket still a good idea?

 

[Stingrat]

Hey All,

I am getting back into pc gaming a bit more after being AFK for some time, and I feel my pc's age when I started playing Helldivers. So I have come to find some purchasing and build guidance in this sea of overwhelming options. I have one budget, but two PC's to upgrade since my Wife's PC is also a bit old. Find below the details:

My Current Rig:
GPU: RTX 3070 Ti 8gb
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO
16gb RAM
PSU: I think its a 750W
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p

Use Case: Gaming
My desired upgrades: I think the GPU should be fine, so just looking for some quality advice on the rest. Unless there is a more than significant price to value increase in upgrading the GPU.


My Wifes current Rig:
GPU: GTX 1070ti
CPU: Ryzen 5 3400 (3.6ghz)
Mobo: Asus Prime A320M-K
RAM: 32 GB
PSU: 600 or 750W
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p

Use Case: Gaming, Rendering/Blender etc
We think probably a GPU upgrade should be enough, but not sure how big of a bottleneck the CPU is, it would just be a bit costly to do an AM5 upgrade for both of us.

We both really want to get into ARK: Survival Ascended, and she plays a lot of Minecraft. I'd really like to play something like Cyberpunk or Dragons dogma and Helldivers and enjoy myself doing so.

Budget wise, we're probably looking at around 12k - 20k for both of us combined. Would be awesome to get some informed suggestions.

Thanks in advance for those who can make the time for a reply

3060ti for the wife

 

[Switch]

My Current Rig:
GPU: RTX 3070 Ti 8gb
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO
16gb RAM
PSU: I think its a 750W

This is more than fine, as goldfritter said just drop a 5800x3d in this.

My Wifes current Rig:
GPU: GTX 1070ti
CPU: Ryzen 5 3400 (3.6ghz)
Mobo: Asus Prime A320M-K
RAM: 32 GB
PSU: 600 or 750W

This needs some working on. With the a320 mobo you could just drop in a 5600(x) and it will work "ok", but if you want something more like a 5800x3d then the mobo needs to change for better vrm. Replace the 1070ti with say a 3060ti/6700xt or better

 

[Oj0]

I say 5700X3D rather. It's R 2.5k cheaper, but not R 2.5k slower. The new price point for the 5800X3D is just stupid - we're back to launch pricing.

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 8-Core CPU, No Cooler, Socket AM4, 3.0GHz (4.1GHz Boost) — Best Deals at Progenix — South Africa

8 cores optimized for high-FPS gaming rigs. Get the high-speed gaming performance of the world’s best desktop processor.

progenix.co.za

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D Octa Core CPU with SMT, No Cooler, Socket AM4, 3.4GHz (4.5GHz Boost) — Best Deals at Progenix — South Africa

8 cores optimized for high-FPS gaming rigs. Get the high-speed gaming performance of the world’s best desktop processor.

progenix.co.za

 

[HighClassHobo]

This is more than fine, as goldfritter said just drop a 5800x3d in this.



This needs some working on. With the a320 mobo you could just drop in a 5600(x) and it will work "ok", but if you want something more like a 5800x3d then the mobo needs to change for better vrm. Replace the 1070ti with say a 3060ti/6700xt or better

Would it make sense to do something like this:

Buy the 5800x3d for my RIG, and then take my wifes 32gb RAM.

And then doing a full AM5 DDR5 upgrade kit for my wife to future proof the setup and not buying a new mobo in a deprecated range?

Then again I am a bit out of touch, so if we do stick with the AM4 range and buy her a new mobo, is there a general consensus about how long we could comfortably use the AM4 setup before we'd need to look at upgrading to AM5?

 

[BlueCrayon]

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Hex Core CPU with SMT, No Cooler, Unlocked Multiplier, Integrated Radeon Graphics, Socket AM5, 4.7GHz (5.3GHz Boost) — Best Deals at Progenix — South Africa

6 incredible cores for those who just want to game. Get the high-speed gaming performance of the world’s best desktop processor.

progenix.co.za

 

[Yasin]

Both rigs already look decent to me for gaming

 

[Switch]

Would it make sense to do something like this:

Buy the 5800x3d for my RIG, and then take my wifes 32gb RAM.

And then doing a full AM5 DDR5 upgrade kit for my wife to future proof the setup and not buying a new mobo in a deprecated range?

Then again I am a bit out of touch, so if we do stick with the AM4 range and buy her a new mobo, is there a general consensus about how long we could comfortably use the AM4 setup before we'd need to look at upgrading to AM5?

Yes that's also viable, purely depends on how much budget you have. If you have the budget then it would better to sell your wifes rig and buy am5, but if you are counting pennies cents then buying second hand am4 is cheaper since the difference you only need is the cpu (and maybe mobo) upgrade, in both cases you are still looking at the same gpu upgrade being involved.

 

[Areola Grande]

I second the 5700X3D, it's there or thereabouts with the 5800X3D at a much better price.

 

[moedeez]

Would it make sense to do something like this:

Buy the 5800x3d for my RIG, and then take my wifes 32gb RAM.

And then doing a full AM5 DDR5 upgrade kit for my wife to future proof the setup and not buying a new mobo in a deprecated range?

Then again I am a bit out of touch, so if we do stick with the AM4 range and buy her a new mobo, is there a general consensus about how long we could comfortably use the AM4 setup before we'd need to look at upgrading to AM5?

What speed is her ram?

 

[goldfritter]

Would it make sense to do something like this:

Buy the 5800x3d for my RIG, and then take my wifes 32gb RAM.

And then doing a full AM5 DDR5 upgrade kit for my wife to future proof the setup and not buying a new mobo in a deprecated range?

Then again I am a bit out of touch, so if we do stick with the AM4 range and buy her a new mobo, is there a general consensus about how long we could comfortably use the AM4 setup before we'd need to look at upgrading to AM5?

Unpopular opinion - don't tell anyone I said this.

But the Prime A320M-K supports both the 58- and 5700X3D. You just need to update the BIOS.

PRIME A320M-K｜Motherboards｜ASUS South Africa

I reckon it would run either CPU just fine. The problem comes in with the VRMs being of a lower spec, which means they could overheat and throttle the CPU. So you'd lose a few Hz of CPU speed under heavy loads. A good air cooler would help with that, it would be less of an issue with gaming, the 5700X3D runs at a lower frequency than the 5800X3D so it'll be cooler, and you can set a voltage offset to decrease temps without a big performance hit.

I'd say it's worth a try.

But keep that just between you and me.

 

[AdriDa]

Trust in @Oj0

 

[Oj0]

Unpopular opinion - don't tell anyone I said this.

But the Prime A320M-K supports both the 58- and 5700X3D. You just need to update the BIOS.

PRIME A320M-K｜Motherboards｜ASUS South Africa

Extremely unpopular opinion indeed. For one, it's end of life and has been for ages. The bigger downsides are just how basic the board is. Two DIMM slots up to DDR4-2400, minimal USB-A ports, no option of USB-C, etc. I'd have no problem pairing it with a higher end CPU for an office machine, but home users generally want a LITTLE something more than that.

 

[goldfritter]

Extremely unpopular opinion indeed. For one, it's end of life and has been for ages. The bigger downsides are just how basic the board is. Two DIMM slots up to DDR4-2400, minimal USB-A ports, no option of USB-C, etc. I'd have no problem pairing it with a higher end CPU for an office machine, but home users generally want a LITTLE something more than that.

They have the board already, they're not buying new.

 

[Oj0]

They have the board already, they're not buying new.

This is why coffee should be a LEGAL REQUIREMENT for the mornings. BRB, making another cup.

 

[Oj0]

Right, quad espresso turned into coffee is down the hatch. I now feel ready to hit Mike Tyson so hard that even Google can't even find him.

Any questions related to the thread I should answer properly?

 

[thecurto]

I would use a combination of all of the info in this thread and do the following:

Your Current Rig:
GPU: RTX 3070 Ti 8gb - Keep (still a good GPU at 1080p)
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x - Replace with 5700X3D
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO - Keep (do a BIOS update to support new CPU)
16gb RAM - Move to other rig and add the 32GB RAM here (depending on RAM speed)
PSU: I think its a 750W - Keep (if decent quality and if there is warranty left)
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p - Keep (but maybe look into a 1440p upgrade down the line)

Your Wifes current Rig:
GPU: GTX 1070ti - Sell
CPU: Ryzen 5 3400 (3.6ghz) - Sell (along with the 2600)
Mobo: Asus Prime A320M-K - Sell
RAM: 32 GB - Swap with 16GB and sell
PSU: 600 or 750W - Keep (if decent quality and if there is warranty left)
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p - Keep but look into upgrading to 1440p down the line.

New Rig (based on budget and money accrued from sale above)
GPU: whatever fits in a R6000-R8000 budget
CPU: Ryzen 5 7500F/7600 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)
Mobo: B650 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles or get the Gigabyte Gaming X which is the GOAT of B650 right now)
32GB DDR5 RAM (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)

Total estimated costs (if buying new)
5700X3D: R5500 est.
AM5 upgrade bundle: R12000 est.
Subtract the sale of existing parts/rig: -R5000 est.
which leaves R6000-R8000 for a new or used GPU (a used RX 6800 XT falls in this range and should be the best value)

Your wife should take the 5700X3D rig with the 3070 Ti. The multicore CPU render speeds will be similar between the 5700X3D and the 7500F/7600 but creative work tenders to run better on Nvidia GPUs.

This way you're keeping the best existing parts and getting the most out of them with the 5700X3D CPU, and setting up a nice foundation for drop in CPU upgrades on the AM5 platform down the line.

Sorry for the essay!

 

[Oj0]

CPU: Ryzen 5 7500F/7600 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)

7500F can go with any board and RAM provided it's on the same invoice

 

[goldfritter]

I would use a combination of all of the info in this thread and do the following:

Your Current Rig:
GPU: RTX 3070 Ti 8gb - Keep (still a good GPU at 1080p)
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x - Replace with 5700X3D
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO - Keep (do a BIOS update to support new CPU)
16gb RAM - Move to other rig and add the 32GB RAM here (depending on RAM speed)
PSU: I think its a 750W - Keep (if decent quality and if there is warranty left)
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p - Keep (but maybe look into a 1440p upgrade down the line)

Your Wifes current Rig:
GPU: GTX 1070ti - Sell
CPU: Ryzen 5 3400 (3.6ghz) - Sell (along with the 2600)
Mobo: Asus Prime A320M-K - Sell
RAM: 32 GB - Swap with 16GB and sell
PSU: 600 or 750W - Keep (if decent quality and if there is warranty left)
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p - Keep but look into upgrading to 1440p down the line.

New Rig (based on budget and money accrued from sale above)
GPU: whatever fits in a R6000-R8000 budget
CPU: Ryzen 5 7500F/7600 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)
Mobo: B650 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles or get the Gigabyte Gaming X which is the GOAT of B650 right now)
32GB DDR5 RAM (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)

Total estimated costs (if buying new)
5700X3D: R5500 est.
AM5 upgrade bundle: R12000 est.
Subtract the sale of existing parts/rig: -R5000 est.
which leaves R6000-R8000 for a new or used GPU (a used RX 6800 XT falls in this range and should be the best value)

Your wife should take the 5700X3D rig with the 3070 Ti. The multicore CPU render speeds will be similar between the 5700X3D and the 7500F/7600 but creative work tenders to run better on Nvidia GPUs.

This way you're keeping the best existing parts and getting the most out of them with the 5700X3D CPU, and setting up a nice foundation for drop in CPU upgrades on the AM5 platform down the line.

Sorry for the essay!

OR. Hear me out.

Keep the A320 mobo.

Buy new 5700X3D x 2 = 11000
Sell the two existing CPUs at idk, 1000ish each?

Which leaves more like 11000 for a snazzy new GPU



(Disclaimer, this is a bad idea, @thecurto's plan is much more civilised, you should definitely do that instead).

 

[HighClassHobo]

Excellent feedback from everyone, its been helping a lot. I'll post our tentative decision for scrutiny shortly

 

[Areola Grande]

Please keep in mind, this is the internet so whichever option you decide to go with will be the wrong one.

 

[Switch]

 

[HighClassHobo]

I would use a combination of all of the info in this thread and do the following:

Your Current Rig:
GPU: RTX 3070 Ti 8gb - Keep (still a good GPU at 1080p)
CPU: Ryzen 5 2600x - Replace with 5700X3D
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO - Keep (do a BIOS update to support new CPU)
16gb RAM - Move to other rig and add the 32GB RAM here (depending on RAM speed)
PSU: I think its a 750W - Keep (if decent quality and if there is warranty left)
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p - Keep (but maybe look into a 1440p upgrade down the line)

Your Wifes current Rig:
GPU: GTX 1070ti - Sell
CPU: Ryzen 5 3400 (3.6ghz) - Sell (along with the 2600)
Mobo: Asus Prime A320M-K - Sell
RAM: 32 GB - Swap with 16GB and sell
PSU: 600 or 750W - Keep (if decent quality and if there is warranty left)
Resolution: Twin screen 1080p - Keep but look into upgrading to 1440p down the line.

New Rig (based on budget and money accrued from sale above)
GPU: whatever fits in a R6000-R8000 budget
CPU: Ryzen 5 7500F/7600 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)
Mobo: B650 (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles or get the Gigabyte Gaming X which is the GOAT of B650 right now)
32GB DDR5 RAM (Look at Progenix upgrade bundles)

Total estimated costs (if buying new)
5700X3D: R5500 est.
AM5 upgrade bundle: R12000 est.
Subtract the sale of existing parts/rig: -R5000 est.
which leaves R6000-R8000 for a new or used GPU (a used RX 6800 XT falls in this range and should be the best value)

Your wife should take the 5700X3D rig with the 3070 Ti. The multicore CPU render speeds will be similar between the 5700X3D and the 7500F/7600 but creative work tenders to run better on Nvidia GPUs.

This way you're keeping the best existing parts and getting the most out of them with the 5700X3D CPU, and setting up a nice foundation for drop in CPU upgrades on the AM5 platform down the line.

Sorry for the essay!

Thanks for this input - we were discussing it over lunch and came to a similar conclusion, when I logged on and saw this feedback it solidified it as a good approach. Using your suggestions it would look something like this:

For now, this is what we are thinking of doing
My RIG:
GPU: TBD(will expand below)
CPU: Ryzen 5 7600
Mobo: B650
RAM: 16Gb DDR5
PSU: Keep and pray

My wifes RIG:
GPU: 3070 Ti
CPU: Ryzen 7 5700x3d
Mobo: Asus PRIME X470-PRO
RAM: 32GB
PSU: Keep and pray


I think it came down to deciding how much we want to spend now vs how much we want to spend later down the line.

If we stick with AM4 for both -> We could upgrade our systems and they would be more than enough to do what we wanted to now -> but would need to upgrade to AM5 for both systems down the line -> so we would just be postponing an expensive upgrade anyway.

If we upgrade the one RIG to AM5, we lift one pc into a new range and go with a modest CPU for now, but can rest assured we don't need to upgrade everything down the line but just the CPU.

One RIG will still need to get a full upgrade later on, but at least that would then just be 1 kit instead of 2.
GPUs will probably both be 30 series, since they seem to do what we need right now, and then upgrading to something better later when the 50 series comes out. But open to hearing suggestions here on how to minmax it financially.

 

[HighClassHobo]

OR. Hear me out.

Keep the A320 mobo.

Buy new 5700X3D x 2 = 11000
Sell the two existing CPUs at idk, 1000ish each?

Which leaves more like 11000 for a snazzy new GPU



(Disclaimer, this is a bad idea, @thecurto's plan is much more civilised, you should definitely do that instead).

We did consider this, but ultimately decided that it would be shifting the massive upgrade burden to a later stage, while the approach I mentioned in reply to thecurto feels like it already starts us in a good direction, and puts is in a sort of incremental upgrade cycle that we can maintain going forward.