Upgrade of 2013 Gaming PC

Rhaegar Storm · Sep 16, 2016

Hey everybody,
I build my first gaming PC in Oct 2013 with help from the awesome community here

I finally settled with this setup:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 4 SCMG-4000
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6
Memory: 2x G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 2.5" 120GB
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Graphics Card: MSI GTX770 Twin Frozr R
Power Supply: Corsair RM750 ATX24
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl
DVD Drive: Asus DRW 24F1ST

I added a SanDisk Extreme Pro 480GB SSD in March 2016. After getting a lot of mileage out of the system I recently began playing last years AAA titles (Witcher 3, AC Syndicate, ...). They run, but the graphic settings I have to choose, well, hurt. It's high time for an upgrade. Moreover, I play heavily modded Skyrim and the 2GB VRAM really limit my options. Since this is my first PC build and therefor my first upgrade, I have a few questions:

- Am I right that the graphics card is in most need of an upgrade?
- Am I right to assume that my CPU is still up for the task?
- What are the pitfalls for upgrading a system - stuff a newcomer like me is in danger of missing?

I read up about the new graphics cards and I really like Nvidia's new Pascal cards. I am leaning towards the GTX 1070. I guess the 1060 would do as well but I can afford the 1070, it would give me some leeway and at least another year before a upgrade is necessary again in the future. Any comments?

Thanks in advance to everybody chiming in

Jester Maroc · Sep 16, 2016

Your system is perfect for a GTX1070.

A GTX1060 is also good, but it depends on what resolution you game? If you want to do 1440p then definitely get the GTX1070.

Your current GPU is the bottleneck in your system. Your CPU is very capable of accommodating the GTX1070 as is the rest of your system. No need for any other upgrades besides GPU.

EDIT: There are not really any pitfalls to upgrading from the GTX770 to a GTX1070. The 1070 requires a lot less power. So simply disconnecting power, opening your case, and swopping the GPUs would do it. After putting everything together download the latest drivers and make sure to do a "clean install". I am sure you probably know all of this, I just listed it to make sure.

WildCard999 · Sep 16, 2016

I agree, your best upgrade for that system would be the GTX 1070. If you haven't yet I would also look into trying to OC that CPU to get a little bit more performance.

SkittishGaming · Sep 16, 2016

1. CPU is still up to task without bottleneck, no worry
2. The GPU is in most need of an upgrade, a gtx 1070 is about the best value you can get out of a GPU right now, I recommend the GamingX version from MSI, since it has a back-plate LEDs and a great look.
EDIT: To fit the theme of your mobo you may consider the armour edition from MSI
3. For you there are no pitfalls, just disconnect the GPU, take it out, replace it and reconnect the power cables. Then install the GPU and connect the power cables

Jester Maroc · Sep 16, 2016

SkittishGaming :

LOL, do you mind not posting in BOLD all the time? It hurts my eyes

SkittishGaming · Sep 16, 2016

Jester Maroc :

SkittishGaming :

LOL, do you mind not posting in BOLD all the time? It hurts my eyes

I must write in BOLD it is the meaning of my entire life

Wayfall · Sep 16, 2016

Jester Maroc :

SkittishGaming :

LOL, do you mind not posting in BOLD all the time? It hurts my eyes

I concur

Rhaegar Storm · Sep 16, 2016

@Jester Maroc: I am currently on a 1080p monitor. But I plan to buy a new one come next year and use this one as secondary monitor.

@WildCard999: I have not yet OCed the CPU. At first I didn't need the extra performance and then the graphics card running on max load got so warm I did not want to tinker with the system until I either got a better card or better cooling.

What I gather from the 1070 specs is that my PSU is sufficient, right? And the specs for the GTX770 and GTX1070 say that they have almost the same dimensions, so the 1070 should fit into my build.

Jester Maroc · Sep 16, 2016

Yes, your PSU is more than sufficient, and your case can easily accommodate any of the GTX1070s.

Wayfall · Sep 16, 2016

Guess all you need to do now is pick which brand you would like to get.

I'm a fan of MSI's OC'd editions and their unbelievably good GPU cooler they stick on the GPU's

The EVGA, Asus and Gigabyte ones are popular too.

WildCard999 · Sep 16, 2016

Rhaegar Storm :

Makes sense, stock speeds for the CPU should be fine anyways for that card. If you concerned about temps I noticed replacing the CPU & GPU thermal paste with MX4 brought down my temps for each around 4-5C.

SkittishGaming · Sep 16, 2016

Rhaegar Storm :

PSU is sufficient, the 1070 definitely fits into your case. For the brand I would go for the GamingX I previously mentioned, EVGA, ASUS and Gigabyte are also great GPU brands

Rhaegar Storm · Sep 16, 2016

I actually already considered buying the MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X 8G. I'm really satisfied with my current card from MSI and some reviews stated that MSI did a good job this time around, especially cooling. Any reason to go for the Gaming Z or Armor versions? Oh, and the looks don't really matter

Thanks for all the good advice!

WildCard999 · Sep 17, 2016

MSI makes good cards as far as cooling & overclockability.

SkittishGaming · Sep 17, 2016

Rhaegar Storm :

MSI makes great cards. The gamingX is probably the best preforming and looking gtx 1070 on the market. Armour is basically the same thing as the gamingX but it doesn't have a backplate, it has the same cooler, but no LEDs, no backplate and no GamingX app. If you can afford both get the GamingX

Rhaegar Storm · Sep 17, 2016

Just ordered my MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X! Should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks for all your help! This is such an awesome community

Rhaegar Storm · Sep 27, 2016

So, to conclude this thread: I got my MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X last Wednesday. The installation was super easy. The backplate of the Gaming X version is pretty neat - now worries of touching any contacts or putting too much pressure on certain parts. And this is an awesome graphics card! Wow! Doesn't sweat even with ultra settings on any game I have tried so far. I am a very happy gamer now ;D

Upgrade of 2013 Gaming PC

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