Upgrade or a complete rebuild?

gammazeta430 · Mar 28, 2017

Hi all,

I've been a PC gamer ever since I purchased a custom PC in 2012, but quite timid to actually touch anything inside the tower (until i successfully installed a 1tb HDD and gained confidence)

Since that confidence boost I've been doing some research on what to upgrade. Since it has been 5 years I've definitely noticed how I've been slowly running games on lower settings every year to get top performance. Although I've been content with playing games like Total War series on medium settings for 30-40 FPS, Squad on low settings for 25-55 FPS and BF1 on medium settings for 30-50 FPS, it's definitely time for a change.

My current goal is to run 2017 games on high/ultra settings

My main question is whether or not I should invest in upgrading a few parts or completely rebuild my PC? I'll list my specs below first before I pose my thinking:

Intel i5-4570
2 1 TB HDD
8 GB DDR3 memory
ASETEK 120MM watercooler
600 W PS
Radeon 7950 IceQ
Gigabyte Crossfire Sata 3 usb 3 LGA 1155

If I'm missing any other specs please let me know.

My non-experienced thoughts:
1) Purchase 8-16 GB ram and replace (though check to see if there are enough slots... (dont know what they look like so i'll youtube it)

2) Purchase an SSD for specific games with longer loading times

3) Is it time to upgrade my GPU, Motherboard and or processor?

I'm not too familiar with bottle necking either, but I have a vague idea of what it means between the GPU and Processor, so i'm unsure if I upgrade one will it bottleneck the other?

Thanks for the help everyone.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 28, 2017

all you need to do is:
1. increase memory to 8-16GB
2. upgrade your GPU depending on your monitor. for 1080p - RX 480 4GB, for 1440p GTX 1070, for higher res - GTX 1080/GTX 1080Ti
Please note, if you have 144Hz, it's a bit different selection of GPU and you'd be better with i7 CPU.
SSD is optional - it's a convenience accessory that does not really affect performance.

guanyu210379 · Mar 28, 2017

My ideas are basically relative the same as above:
1. More RAM to 16GB
2. Upgrade the GPU to RX480 or GTX1070. Budget and need dependent.
3. Add an SSD. Not a must but highly recommended. This does not contribute to a single fps, but a faster loading, booting, etc.
4. Upgrading the monitor to 1440p or 1080p 144hz is also nice.

Do not worry with the CPU bottleneck for now, your processor is still ok, unless you wanna do serious investment.

gammazeta430 · Mar 28, 2017

Thanks for the help. Definitely going with the RX480 since i am at 1080p.

Question about the memory, since I have 2 sticks of 4GB DDR3/1600 MHZ memory, would a Kingston Value RAM 4GB 1600MHz PC3-12800 DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 DIMM SR x8 Desktop Memory be compatible?

Thanks.

burdenbound · Mar 28, 2017

gammazeta430 :

Your best bet is to buy new RAM. The odds of RAM being compatible, even when it's the exact same type, when bought separately is pretty slim.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 28, 2017

If you already have an 8GB of RAM -you don't need to upgrade. you might want to, than just get the same model as you already have.
As for the GPU - do not waste your money on 8GB model, RX 480 4GB performs exactly the same.

gammazeta430 · Mar 28, 2017

Thanks. Found out what compatibility I have for current RAM.

Since the RAM is 5 years old is it at a high risk of failing?, should I purchase 4 new sticks to get to 16gb, or 2 8gb sticks? or just 2 new 4gbcompatible (according to Crucial.com scan) memory sticks?

EDIT: Thanks for the heads up on the Rx480 4gb / 8gb models!

DSzymborski · Mar 28, 2017

I second the others, though I'd check to see if there's a quality PSU in there first. Seeing just "600W PSU" is an inauspicious sign.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 28, 2017

the memory age is not important. 5 years is nothing if not pushed to the limits with crazy overclocks.
If budget allows it, just get a 2x8GB and ADD it to existing memory. But honestly, you will want/need to upgrade the CPU/MB in not so distant future. Couple of years if nothing breaks. So I'd just add 2x4GB as you are not going to NEED over 16GB for the next few years for gaming and regular home usage.

gammazeta430 · Mar 28, 2017

DSzymborski :

Thanks. it's a CORSAIR 600 CX V2 Power supply if that helps. Unsure if it's quality or not

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 28, 2017

it's very basic PSU, but given that the total system power draw under gaming (after upgrade) would be around 250w - it's kinda fine.

gammazeta430 · Mar 29, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Thanks.

I have another question. So I purchased the additional RAM and Rx480.

Upon installing the actual gpu I receive a no input detected error on my monitor upon booting up.

I thought it was my BIOS so i did a BIOS flash and still no luck.
I have tried isolating the potential issue and I thought it was the power supply because when i unplug the 6/8 pins to the gpu the startup is fine.

However, I don't think its the PCU because even though I get a no input detected, I can hear the sound still load up the windows loading screen along with my HDDs spinning.

I'm at a complete loss.

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 30, 2017

Since your previous GPU is working fine and even has higher TDP than RX 480, I'd suspect the GPU as faulty.
Any chance you can test it in anther computer ?

gammazeta430 · Mar 30, 2017

Thanks for the update, unfortunately I don't have access to another computer to test out the GPU.

Should I try to put back the old 7950 in the socket to see if its the PCI slot?

I think I also have another PCI slot as I can see there's another 16 pin one row down toward the lower end of the mobo (is that the gpu pci slot or will I just end up doing more damage trying that one out?)

Thank you for all your help so far, It's helping me get through this stressful situation!

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 30, 2017

the GPU "feels" best in the PCIe closest to CPU.
Sure, try out the old GPU. make sure you properly connect 8+6 pin to the RX 480

gammazeta430 · Mar 30, 2017

Thanks, i'll give it a try when i get back from work alittle later and post the results! (hopefully it helps narrow down the issue even more)

gammazeta430 · Mar 31, 2017

Thanks for your help, I found the solution, it was the 6+2 pins this whole time. I was using the same cable of 6+2 instead of using the +2 from another outlet!

My next issue is the RAM. When i put both new pieces and turn on the PC the mobo makes 3 continuous beeps, shuts off then restarts in a cycle until I turn off the PC. Is this because the RAM is incompatible? I figured it would be based on crucial.com's analysis.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 31, 2017

well, you actually should use the 6+2 from the same set.
As for the ram, can you post what modules you have ?

gammazeta430 · Apr 1, 2017

Thanks! The only issue is that the 6+2 from the same cable leads to the no input situation :-/, is having the +2 from another cable something I should be concerned about?

My current System RAM is 1600 Mhz DDR3 (DIMM form factor?)

I currently purchased two 4gb DDR3L 1600 UDIMM 1.35V. (I purchased it due to a scan from crucial.com claiming it was compatible)

Joshua French · Apr 1, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

A rx480 can handle 1440P gaming, just maybe not at ultra. You can still game of 8GB ram, but 16gb ram is safer. The CPU is still good, so just upgrade the gpu to something like a 480 or 1060 or something. ALso, a ssd may help.

n0ns3ns3 · Apr 2, 2017

gammazeta430 :

Can you post exact model of the existing ram and new ram ?

gammazeta430 · Apr 2, 2017

Sure, I'm a little unsure how to find the exact model, here's what I can find using CPUZ for my current RAM

SPD: 4096 Mbytes
PC3-12800(800mhz)
Manufact: A-Data Technology
Ranks: Single
Week/Year: 34/12

As for the new RAM all I can find via packaging/ on module is:

4gb DDR3L 1600 UDIMM 1.35V CL 11
Manufact: Crucial

n0ns3ns3 · Apr 2, 2017

the thing is, that the new RAM is operating at different voltage (1.35v as opposed to the 1.5v on old one).
they might also have different timings.
So what you can do, is put any of the RAM sticks to computer and go to BIOS , set RAM voltage manually to 1.5v
Try to boot with one, then add another one, then another one and finally with all of them. Pay attention that you put modules from the same kit into the slots with the same color. (for example old sticks to slots 1 and 3, new sticks into slots 2 and 4).
If that does not work, boot with single module and set the timings manually to the highest among those kits. important timings are the 4 numbers (CL 11 is one of them) that either printed on the module. If you can't find the timings, take a pic of the modules label and post it here.

gammazeta430 · Apr 5, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Thanks! Seems alittle daunting, should I just return the current RAM and purchase another type or just it give it a try?

n0ns3ns3 · Apr 6, 2017

Since you already opened it, just give it a try - you can't easily ruin the RAM. Worst case you will need to reset BIOS (clear CMOS).
so just give it a try instead of waiting few days for the new ram.

Upgrade or a complete rebuild?

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