Get New PC's or Upgrade GPUs???

Kendrite13 on 03/05/2025 - 13:58

I have two PC's I'm looking at either completely replacing or upgrading the GPU's - and I'm not sure which way to go.

They're both used for gaming on 2560x1440 monitors.

I like the idea of getting new PC's but I'd be working with a tight budget of about ~$1,100.00 each.

Current stats are:

PC1:
B450M ProM2 V2
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
16Gb DDR4 @ 1061 MHz
ATI RX 580 8Gb
PSU Corsair 650W (this psu is probably old enough to drive)

PC 2:
B550MH
AMD Razen 5 3500X
16Gb DDR4 @ 1178MHz
ATI RX 5700 XT
PSU Gigabyte 650W

Are these PC's old enough that I should replace them or would updating the graphics cards give them a big enough boost that I'd get a few more years out of them?

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

Computing

Comments

  • Boop Doucha on 03/05/2025 - 14:06
    +1

    Just re-read the post. Two 9070s would probably be worth it, but you'd still lose some performance with those CPUs. I'd probably still upgrade both to 5700x3ds then use remaining budget on new 7800xt or second hand 4070ti super if available.

    On second thoughts I'd probably buy 2 9070s. You will get a big boost. Just need to crank the settings up to put as much load on the gpu as possible. Then save and upgrade to another platform 2-3 years from now and keep gpus.

    • 7ekn00 on 03/05/2025 - 17:53
      +2

      Agreed, but I would drop 5700X3Ds (~$400ea) into both as well as 7800XTs (~$750ea)!

      9070s are too new, so have a price premium :/

  • scrimshaw on 03/05/2025 - 14:18
    +3

    AMD Ryzen 5700X can be had for $80 to $90 USD (Approx $130 to $140 AUD) via Aliexpress
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/amd-ryzen-7-5700x

    16Gb DDR4 @ 1061 MHz
    16Gb DDR4 @ 1178MHz

    These RAM kits look a bit slow at just 2133mhz, are you sure they have XMP profiles enabled? The sweet spot for Ryzen 5000 series is 3600mhz RAM, with 3200mhz being the usual JDEC certification for the memory controller. To upgrade to 16GB Kit of DDR4 3600mhz would set you back $50.

    For 1440p minimum is a RX 7600 ($399) but ideally you'd want a 12GB VRAM card like a 7700XT. $629.

    The 5700XT can be sold however, most likely you'd claw back around $200. Sell off the CPU's too to fund the CPU upgrades.

    So assuming you upgraded the parts yourself, you'd pay
    $629 for a Radeon 7700XT
    $50 for Faster 16GB RAM
    $140 for Ryzen 5700X CPU
    = $819 grand total.

    At this stage it seems like everything you have is fairly old, and you might want to consider an entirely new build instead of upgrading, since you'd get a newer updated case, a new PSU, some more storage and back to base warranty / tech support. I would pay the extra for AM5 platform though, AM4 is a dead-end and there aren't that many options for processor upgrades down the track.

    • Kendrite13 on 03/05/2025 - 16:18
      +1

      Been messing around with the RAM speeds on the PC1. I couldn't get them any faster so I reset the BIOS and turned on XMP and now Speccy says it's running at 1599MHz.

      I do think I'm at the point where I'd rather just get new PC's rather than selling and buying parts and messing around. As you said - new case, PSU, warranty, etc.

      Thx for the feedback.

      • barge-in hunter on 03/05/2025 - 17:43
        +3

        It's good advice here - but it's very unlikely you'll get a 5700x and 7700xt equivalent prebuilt for close to $819

        If your budget is loose, then go ahead and get some new AM5 based machines… but if money is a thing, then I would personally do the upgrade and trade route.

        Good luck

  • AustriaBargain on 03/05/2025 - 15:19

    You can get Ryzen CPUs that are quite powerful that will still fit your current socket. Whether or not it's worth it, who is to say.

  • CrispyChrispy on 03/05/2025 - 23:31

    What games OP?

    • Kendrite13 on 04/05/2025 - 10:27

      I'd like to try the new Oblivion Remaster, Elden Ring, Dead Space Remaster, Baldurs Gate, Helldivers, Satisfactory, etc.

  • Kelvin on 04/05/2025 - 09:59
    +1

    $1100 per machine, new.. is not going to go that far…

    This is in your budget.. but the platform is identical (AM4) is what you have now..
    and 4060tis.. aren't that powerful..

    9070s start at $1049 each
    7800XTs start at $769 each
    https://www.umart.com.au/product/asus-dual-radeon-rx-7800-xt…

    7700xt aren't really worth looking at… unless they are signficantly cheaper than the 7800XTs..

    https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388-2.ht…

    I like scrimshaws thoughts as a base

    thought I would go 7800XT - $769
    2x16gb 3200 - 3600mhz ram.. $84 for corsair C16 3200mhz
    https://www.amazon.com.au/Corsair-Vengeance-PC4-25600-Deskto…

    and try to find a 5700x CPU.. as an upgrade.. as suggested previously..

    you risk.. having issues with the powersupply.. and sometimes ram compatibility issues with older motherboards.. though..AM4 has got a lot better..

    if you get a RTX4060 system.. you risk the performance, not being a significant improvement than your current 5700XT

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