Source
r/buildapc•
VRFour

Upgrade RAM/GPU in my 5 year old rig or build a new one?

I don't play a ton of games and the ones I do play aren't the most demanding - Overwatch, LoL, WoW, etc. That being said, I'd like to be able to run them at higher settings.

My current rig is: PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

TypeItemPrice
CPUIntel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor$214.99 @ SuperBiiz
MotherboardAsus Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard-
MemoryCorsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory$38.99 @ Amazon
Video CardMSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 1.25GB Video Card$320.95 @ Amazon
Power SupplySeaSonic X Series 760W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply-
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total$574.93
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-25 15:18 EDT-0400

Would it be worth upgrading the RAM / GPU in this rig? If so, should I just buy two more 4gb RAM sticks for a total of 16gb RAM? Should I try to buy another 560Ti and SLI it or just get a single, more powerful, GPU? Will the power supply be a concern in SLI?

Budget isn't much of a concern but if it would cost more than $200 for a significant improvement (or if you guys don't think it's worth upgrading), I'll probably just wait and build a new rig later.

Posted Jun 25, 2016, 7:25 PM UTC

4546
MrKazador•

A new gpu will make a huge difference, the 560ti is an old card. The 2500k is a good cpu especially when overclocked. Building a new PC would be a waste of money IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frNjT5R5XI4

46
VRFourOP•

Sweet, I'll look into overclocking!

3
Never_wrong_•

Real quick, make sure if you overclock to get an aftermarket cooler. The one supplied by Intel isnt really up to keep the CPU cool when overclocking, and make sure the one you pick says its compatible with LGA1155

10
DatDinkleberg•

Actually, a cooler that is compatible with LGA 1150 is compatible with all LGA 115x sockets.

6
Never_wrong_•

Thanks man, learning everyday :)

7
Stormfrost13•

Yep, because the socket is basically the same size, just different pin layouts inside the socket.

3
HypocriteOpportunist•

I have the same CPU and I am interested in overclocking after the messages on this post. What do you mean when you say pick one compatible with LGA1155? What does that mean? Thanks for your help!

1
Never_wrong_•

Basically each generation of CPU socket. It's like choosing the right shoe size for your foot. If your foot (or CPU) is a 1155 (or size 10) you obviously dont want a size 11, or 9. Do you know which CPU you have? I can help you figure it out.

Im dumb, you said you have the same CPU as OP. Honestly you could probably pick any top selling CPU cooler and be okay. Most of them have a few generaions that they will fit, LGA 1150, 1155

, the hyper 212 is kind of the go to around these parts, but Noctua is a great brand. I really love my cryorig h7. Just check the specs of any cooler you like and verify it fits LGA1155

3
felixenfeu•

8gb should be enough honestly, CPU is still good. Get a better GPU, like the new RX 480 coming out next week, or a used, cheap GTX 970/980. Should be around 200$-ish for the RX 480.

Don't go SLI. PSU will be powerful enough for the new cards.

19
VRFourOP•

Is there going to be a new NVIDIA card competing with the RX480? I haven't had a ton of luck with Radeon in the past.

2
felixenfeu•

They didn't say anything yet. Closest so far would be a cheap GTX 970/980 like I said. I mean there might be a 1060 at some point, nobody knows where it'll sit exactly.

Never had problem with AMD honestly. They are more and more stable, RX 480 is on a new architecture with lower TDP.

4
VRFourOP•

Thanks, I'll check out the RX480! I just had a bad experience with my last Radeon card but it was made by Sapphire so that was more likely the problem

1
HubbaMaBubba•

A lot has changed since you had your ATI/AMD card.

10
CuddlesMcHuggy•

Sapphire is the best amd card maker. Your problem was probably driver related? Nvidia and amd are about even when it comes to driver issues now.

6
devoidz•

If you can't find a cheap card, consider the 1070. I have similar system to you, and I am thinking about it. I tend to stick to Nvidia, but that is just me. I am sure amd makes decent cards, but I have almost always been disappointed with them.

0
archaway•

Nvidias competitor to the RX 480 would the the GTX 1060.

As of now it APPEARS that the RX 480 is best bang for buck and leagues above a 560 Ti

1
Wooshio•

GTX 1060 is coming in the fall, so if you can wait about 3-4 months it will be an option.

1
Redditenmo•

The 1060 should may be the card that competes with the RX480. I'm waiting to see how they're specced / priced before I buy a new card.

I personally wouldn't go AMD either, but only because I really enjoy game streaming to my raspberry pi in the lounge.

0
VRFourOP•

Thanks! I'll do some research on the 1060 before I make any purchases.

1
exytshdw•

You can't do research on the GTX 1060 as it has not been announced as is still a while away. Just get the RX 480, even though I don't like Radeon software.

3
Redditenmo•

Nvidea Gamestreaming

What I use for the pi: LibreElec Os

Once installed use the moonlight plugin.

Alternately: HowtoGeekGuide or Moonlight

0
Talpss•

Definitely get a better GPU. When it comes to games, the GPU is always the most important part.

8
Vinnycabrini•

Here's an interesting video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frNjT5R5XI4

3
VRFourOP•

Very interesting indeed! It's crazy that a 5 year old CPU has had such longevity.

1
dizzydizzy•

wish my 2.6 Ghz Q9450 did :)

I'm waiting on zen (and benchmarks) before I upgrade.

1
Anarch33•

You only need a new gpu

3
Havok1327•

I had the almost exact same setup as you do. I ended up just overclocking my Cpu and buying a 980ti, then a new 27" gaming monitor. I'm very happy with the results.

3
NostalgicRogue•

Uhh, this kinda changes everything with my plans for a new build. I appreciate you asking these questions. I have an i7 2600k along with similar RAM. Maybe I shouldn't sell the PC and try to get more use out of it with overclocking...

3
Nightwyre•

For 560ti SLI you'd probably want a bit of a stronger PSU but I would very much suggest picking up a single stronger GPU instead. You're probably fine with 8gb RAM if you're only playing games, but if you plan on doing any video/music/model production it would be good to add more.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
VRFourOP•

I have not. I sorta figured if the CPU was fine the motherboard would be good to go as well. What kind of stuff should I check for on the motherboard?

5
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
Derpface123•

New GPU and some more RAM. Nothing wrong with that i5-2500K if you just crank it up to 4ish GHz or so.

1
islero555•

Another helpful video https://youtu.be/K9EJNa0y524

1
DatDinkleberg•

Get an RX 480 (get the 8GB version though) when it launches and you're gold. You might want to throw an SSD in too. Otherwise your build is solid.

1
slouch31•

You could probably benefit a lot from a faster SSD. Check out the Samsung Pro 950 or upcoming SM961. They're probably 6-7x faster than your current drive. If your motherboard doesn't have a M.2 slot you can buy a PCIe adapter for $20.

1
AGuyWithABrokenPC•

everything except the GPU is still good, perhaps add a SSD to the mix if you really want to speed things up.

1
OniDooM•

I had almost exact same setup as you. I upgraded the 2500k to a 2600k (£60) because I needed the extra threads, OCd it to 4.5GHz and upgraded GPU to 980ti with the money I saved by not buying a full system.

1
[deleted]•

I have a 750 ti and it's a great card that has absolutely no chance of overheating if you're concerned about thermals.

Or, you could go for the newer 950. Either way it's a big deal.

If you're willing to spend more, go for a 970 or 1070.

Your ram is fine, no need to upgrade for now.

0
VRFourOP•

Should I look into overclocking the RAM I have now? I believe it's a pretty simple procedure in my motherboard settings.

2
[deleted]•

Sure, as long as you know what you're doing. I've personally never done any ram overclocking so I can't say much for it.

2
unknownchild•

meh i've heard if you have a 2500 its worth it to upgrade but my laptop is okish, so i imagine you're fine and don't need to full on up grade, a new GPU and an ssd will be really big like seriously have an ssd 500 gigs is really really nice

more ram is also not a bad thing either and will help multitask better

0