Looking to upgrade my gaming PC

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Pixeldrum

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Feb 27, 2014
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What the title said, I would like some input on what would be the weakest part of my build so far, and what I should replace it with. Note: I have already built the computer with my current build, I've had this computer for a good 2-3 years, so I am considering replacing some parts. Thanks in advance for any help!

My budget for new parts should be ~400, but I am willing to add more, and obviously if possible I would want it to be cheaper but I understand it costs quite a lot

my current build: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/moneyboy1012/saved/#view=CDfp99
 
Solution
photonboy
Benchmark estimates put the RX-480 at roughly 2X the performance of the GTX660Ti.

It will be less than that due to CPU bottleneck in some games, however in FUTURE DX12 games you'll get a big boost (if the game is optimized properly) because:

1) DX12 can use your CPU much better, and

2) The RX-480 will do better in future DX12 titles compared to DX11

The FX-6300 is often a bottleneck for gaming because most games only use a few cores (so the main game thread of code can max out one the FX processors weaker cores/threads), so when DX12 games become better threaded we'll see a big reduction or even elimination of the CPU bottleneck for those title.
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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My advice is:

1) graphics card. buy the RX-480 (8GB model such as Asus Strix) when it launches AND prices stabilize (probably will be price gouging on launch).

Probably stabilize at roughly $260USD for the 8GB model.

2) SSD?
not critical, but you can get a fairly cheap 120GB or 250GB SSD (see pcpartpicker) to install Windows on, and perhaps a few games. Mainly games like SKYRIM with lots of load points that benefit, though the SSD would make Windows usage slightly snappier

3) another 2x4GB DDR3 memory kit (identical if possible).
- not necessary yet, though keep it in mind if you keep your PC a while. When gaming I suggest not having a browser open (memory and CPU is limited)

Summary:
While you have a weaker CPU, games vary in how much a CPU would tend to bottleneck. Adding the RX-480 would help most games quite a bit. I'll add an estimate after I post this.

It doesn't make much sense to buy an FX-8350, and of course rebuilding the system isn't in the budget. Overclocking doesn't look very feasible with that motherboard (possibly a light overclock).

So really it's mainly the better graphics card that's most important (may need to wait two months or so for the product to release and prices to stabilize).
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

Pizza Monster
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Aug 27, 2013
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These 3 parts combined with the new RX480 for roughly $200 would be a GREAT upgrade for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $190.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-21 23:36 EDT-0400
 
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photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
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Benchmark estimates put the RX-480 at roughly 2X the performance of the GTX660Ti.

It will be less than that due to CPU bottleneck in some games, however in FUTURE DX12 games you'll get a big boost (if the game is optimized properly) because:

1) DX12 can use your CPU much better, and

2) The RX-480 will do better in future DX12 titles compared to DX11

The FX-6300 is often a bottleneck for gaming because most games only use a few cores (so the main game thread of code can max out one the FX processors weaker cores/threads), so when DX12 games become better threaded we'll see a big reduction or even elimination of the CPU bottleneck for those title.
 
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Solution
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
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why would you tell him to replace his power supply?
I wouldn't do that if his current one works fine.

I get that the motherboard should allow a better overclock of the CPU (though he needs a half decent cooler, and still there's no guarantee).

Keep in mind that if you manage an extra 10%, then that's the theoretical maximum FPS improvement you can get. So if you got 50FPS before, and have a CPU bottleneck, then that gets you somewhere between 50 and 55FPS now.

(if that's worth it is his decision. aside from GPU and SSD, if you have crappy desktop speakers than $80 or so can get you something fairly good for 2.0 or 2.1

Other:
not sure if he has Windows 10 or not, but either way if he gets the SSD he can either CLONE to it or do a fresh install to the SSD (to do a fresh install you'd download the MS media creation tool, create a W10 install media, then have ONLY the SSD attached, boot to the media, do NOT enter a key etc).

I strongly recommend W10 if you do not have it (needed for DX12 for one thing).

if you aren't good with computers and Windows is working fine I'd probably CLONE using something like Machrium Reflect Free. You can then test if the cloned SSD worked without messing with the install on the hard drive.

So he'd have to decide if that is worth it.
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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Aug 27, 2013
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Because his motherboard and psu are his 2 weakest components. I can maybe see holding off on the psu for now, but replacing it is inevitable.

Obviously switching over to Intel would be the best bet, but it's not reasonable with his budget. Also, switching to Intel would most definitely require getting a new copy of windows so that drives the price up even more.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Much depends on the types of games you will play.
strategy games, mmo and sims depend on the performance of the single master thread. For that FX-6300 is weak.

Fast action shooters depend on good graphics.

Here is one way to find out how YOU will do:
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------


 
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Pixeldrum

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Feb 27, 2014
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Thanks for the input! The power supply works fine, but I do admit that the motherboard and ram might need a change in the future. I'll consider getting the graphics card, and overclocking is something that would rather not do, as it wastes the lifespan of the computer.
 
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