PC - Should I Upgrade The Whole PC, or GPU First Then The Rest Later?

GenghisGun on 17/11/2022 - 13:08
Last edited 17/11/2022 - 13:10

Hello Brains Trust,

I am currently still running a Sapphire 7970 3GB GPU with an i5-2500K, and I have started to hit the wall with what modern games I can actually play (e.g. Halo MCC crashes even on the lowest settings), I can still play BFV on mid settings fine, but would like better performance.

I am looking for advice in the current climate regarding GPU and hardware prices. I was thinking to buy a mid-range card like a 3060 Ti or 6600 XT (anything modern will enable me to play decent modern games), i'm not overly fussed about max frames at 4K, although I do have a 60Hz 4K monitor S3221QS

Would you recommend to buy a GPU like the above and use it in my current system until AM5 hardware comes down in price, then upgrade the rest (CPU, Mobo, RAM) in 1-1.5 yrs? or are there better options/deals to upgrade the lot now? I'm open to Intel as well, I just don't really know what some tried and true combos are good value right now.

Worth noting that in terms of longevity, as you can tell by my 2500K and 7970 (apparently this card is almost 10y old now!), I like to keep my hardware for as long as possible before needing to upgrade. With that in mind, are there particular variants that will favour longevity over short term incremental performance gains?

I have a great case and 80+ gold PSU, I really like and want to keep my monitor as is. I think its pretty much the brain of the computer that needs an overhaul.

Thanks in advance!

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • askbargain on 17/11/2022 - 13:17
    +1

    long way to say:

    should i spend some money now and some later or spend it all at once.

  • freefall101 on 17/11/2022 - 13:24
    +5

    I'd replace your PSU if it's also 10 years old. They generally don't last much longer than that and it becomes riskier keeping it there.

    AM4 vs AM5 won't make much of a difference with those GPUs, you'll still be GPU limited in gaming. Considering the great prices on a 5600 right now I'd just go a full upgrade. The only benefit to going with AM5 is the upgradeability, which it sounds like you won't be doing (AM5 will probably last 5 years, tops).

    I'd also think about whether you actually want to game at 4K, because those GPUs won't really do that right now, let alone for years to come.

    • GenghisGun on 17/11/2022 - 16:28

      thanks for the advice! I did not know that about the PSU age. Also learned a few other things. appreciate it.

  • garetz on 17/11/2022 - 13:25
    +5

    Considering how old your pc is, you should upgrade the whole comp.

  • Switchblade88 on 17/11/2022 - 14:02
    +2

    If you were running a 4770K or newer I'd be recommending GPU only to save cash, however given the age I'd be upgrading everything and recycling this PC into a NAS.

    Even if you like your current case, I'd still get another one and swap your old hardware into it.

    • GenghisGun on 17/11/2022 - 16:29

      the NAS is an interesting idea. I'm not sure I have the time to manage the upkeep, or the need for one, but its worth considering

      • Switchblade88 on 17/11/2022 - 16:34
        +1

        Once you find a use, they become indispensable! But you certainly don't need much to utilise one. A Windows box with Chrome Remote Desktop installed is just fine, and needs very little effort to use.

        Start with something simple like a backup solution for your critical files and photos. Then you start keeping your offline movies there via Plex or Jellyfin so they're easy to stream to your TV/Chromecast/iPad without paying for Netflix.

        Once you get hooked you're running Docker containers, Home Assistant, multi-bay RAID arrays, the list goes on!

  • scrimshaw on 17/11/2022 - 14:23
    +2

    It's time to retire that old rig, 2500k is from 2011 (which is more than ten years ago). It's very far behind even a mid-range 6-core 12 thread processor like a Ryzen 5 5600.

    End of the year is a good time to buy parts, you can get free video games with purchase of CPU's (Modern Warfare 2 for Intel, and Uncharted for AMD's) and 2 free games with selected AMD GPU's.

    • GenghisGun on 17/11/2022 - 16:30

      thanks for the advice. appreciate the heads up about sale prices, i'm not in a rush so that might work out well

  • qaz182 on 17/11/2022 - 14:56

    From what i'm hearing, if you can hold out just another month and a half (till just after xmas). You may find prices (GPU in particular) may be far more competitive.

  • FireRunner on 17/11/2022 - 15:03
    +1

    Replace the whole system.
    The old CPU with a new GPU will work but will be heavily limiting it most of the time.

    • GenghisGun on 17/11/2022 - 16:31

      ahh ok. I might look into a ryzen 5 5600 or something and do a mid-level build and then upgrade the GPU later as it ages

  • EightImmortals on 17/11/2022 - 15:16

    I built a new system except for the GPU last year, still waiting for prices to come down.

  • the Unforgiven on 17/11/2022 - 17:44

    I had that 2500K and 7970 about 3 or 4 builds ago, I have 5800X3D & 6700XT Red Devil now; I just upgraded the CPU from a 3800X & will be listed on eBay at 6pm tonight.
    I would go a top teir AM4 set-up as it will still last a few years & AM5 will cost too much.
    The AM4 CPU will be cheaper than an AM5 CPU, so go AM4 CPU & that will leave you more money for a better GPU (an AMD GPU will work out cheaper, wait till next series coming out soon, so the current series will be cheaper; or buy on Cyber Monday; that is this Monday coming, when tech prices are really cheap).
    Like someone said, how old is that gold PSU, but more important, what make is it?

  • Kraise on 18/11/2022 - 15:08

    I was in a similar situation, i went with pc upgrade first due to timing.

    had a i5 3570k with gtx970 from 2014 up till 2021. decided to upgrade when my overwatch started spiking from 180fps no activity to 50fps teamfights.

    at the time 2070Super was at the tail end and I was waiting for the 3070 range so i upgraded to the ryzen 3600 first along with the mobo, ram, psu and m.2 nvme ssd while I kept the GTX970. my frames just stabilised at that point and it was just a constant 180fps, no dips or anything which was great and eventually got a 6800xt amidst the drama.

    kinda glad i upgraded cpu first as the improvement was massive. the 6800xt was okay only in comparison, i could play games in higher settings or newer games like cp2077 which was nice but the cpu just overshadows the gpu upgrade honestly. never thought i could actually feel improvements in upgrading a cpu.

  • AlienC on 20/11/2022 - 16:25

    Buy this
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/737474

    Swap out the CPU for a 5800X3D and Noctua DH-15.

    Never look back.

    Enjoy life.

    • the Unforgiven on 21/11/2022 - 15:44

      I have to agree, but I would add a couple of WD blue 8TB HDD's to install your games on

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