Looking to upgrade my old PC - budget around $400

geoguy

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Dec 10, 2015
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Hi,

I'd appreciate some advice on how to best upgrade my computer without spending a fortune. Basically I am trying to identify the bottleneck(s) of the current build and get rid of them.

I mainly use the PC for gaming and some rather sophisticated numerical and 3d modelling stuff, and so far it's been more than up to the task. With regards to gaming, I play new games (GTA V, Witcher 3, Elite Dangerous), so definitely the more demanding type when it comes to GPU requirements. I don't have to be able to max out all the graphics settings, which given my budget won't be possible anyway I guess, but I want to be able to play newer games with decent framerates without lowering graphics detail levels too much.

Here's my current build:
CPU: Intel Core i5-750 (2.66 GHz)
MoBo: Asus P7H55D-M EVO
RAM: 4x 2048 MB (G Skill F3-12800CL9-2GBRL, all memory slots occupied)
GPU: GeForce GTX 760 (2048 MB)
HDD: 1 x Samsung SSD 840 Pro (256 GB), 1 x Samsung SSD 840 (128 GB), 2 x Samsung HD103SJ (1000 GB)
OS: Windows 10

The whole thing was custom built a few years ago, but memory, GPU and harddrives were updated more recently. Any advice on what to upgrade would be highly appreciated! Cheers!
 
Solution
The GTX 760 isn't that bad of a GPU. I would say somewhere around GTX 950/960 level of performance. I agree with Xeon. The i5 750 simply is not going to keep up with a faster GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $326.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-10 14:07 EST-0500

sammy sung

Distinguished
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $307.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-10 12:58 EST-0500

Take the $80 or so you'll retain from this round and begin saving for a stronger GPU. Assuming of course you already have an aftermarket cooler that's compatible with 1150. You could also upgrade to an 1866mhz 2x4GB kit of memory just to consolidate, or a 2x8GB.

This is also assuming your power supply was of quality when you got it and hasn't degraded too much over the years.
 

jaytechgaming

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Feb 3, 2013
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I would recommend this Xeon since you will be doing 3D modeling work. It is essentially the devil's canyon i7 but with the price of an i5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117316

You can use it with the motherboard he recommended.

btw, I have built a computer with a 760 and it ran all those games great. Especially with this nice new cpu. Save up for a newer gpu if you are still not pleased. Wait for Pascal and blow your cash on the "80" version of nvidia's gpus.
 

Victorion

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Nov 9, 2015
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Hi geoguy.

The best performance upgrade you can get, would be to get a better videocard. The GTX 970 (around $300) is almost twice the performance. http://anandtech.com/bench/product/1355?vs=1038.

An upgrade in CPU would be meaningful too, but not on a budget. Because going for a better CPU would probably force a different socket, meaning different motherboard and quite possibly new rams too. Also your windows license would probably be bound to your motherboard.

Get the GTX 970, enjoy gaming - and if you feel you have the money upgrade the rest. (note gtx 970 is recommended with minimum 500watt PSU)

 
G

Guest

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He is doing 3d modeling, many programs do not fully take advantage of the GPU yet. His current GPU will more than suffice for his needs.
 

jaytechgaming

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Feb 3, 2013
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I would disagree due to his 3d modeling and the age of his CPU (2009). That is a first generation intel core processor that will bottleneck the 970 in nearly every new title. In 3d modeling the computer does not utilize the GPU and a better CPU would help speed up the process quite a bit.
 

Victorion

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Nov 9, 2015
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Sounds to me, that OP just needs more gaming performance. Even though 3d modelling usually means you want a fast cpu.
 

geoguy

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Dec 10, 2015
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Wow, thanks everyone! Lots of stuff to read and think about!
Just because it came up in some replies (and I had forgotten in my OP), my PSU is a BeQuiet PURE POWER L7-530W
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
The GTX 760 isn't that bad of a GPU. I would say somewhere around GTX 950/960 level of performance. I agree with Xeon. The i5 750 simply is not going to keep up with a faster GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $326.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-10 14:07 EST-0500
 
Solution

lodders

Admirable
You asked about bottlenecks... well, it depends what you are doing, and you would be the best person to judge.
So for example, if you are doing numerical modelling, and you find yourself waiting a long time for a calculation to complete, and windows resource monitor says your CPU is at 100%, get yourself a new i7.
If windows resource monitor says you are out of memory, get more memory.
If you play a game, and you want to play it on ultra graphics, but you can't, buy a gtx 970
But if none of the above is a problem, why upgrade? Actually your computer is still pretty good.