Need an advice about upgrading PC

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orikadi

orikadi

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Oct 27, 2014
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Hey!

I hope im posting this in the right place.

So I'm contemplating whether to upgrade individual parts or just buy everything new alltogether.
My current build is:

Windows 10 x64
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87-HD3
CPU: Intel i5 4670K [not oc]
GPU: AMD MSI R9 290 4G Gaming
RAM: G.Skill Sniper 16GB [8x2] DDR3
Cooler: Arctic Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2
Case: fractal design core 3000
I've got one inward fan in the front, and two outward - one on top and one in the back.

My computer is mainly for gaming. The temps that my GPU reach are quite high while gaming, normally 93c~ish. I replaced the thermal paste on it yesterday and now its at around 84-86.
But from what I read those are just the normal temps for the 290s.
My reason to upgrade is that I want to play the newer games on the higher settings while maintaining solid 60+ fps. Also I'd like to play the 3ds and WiiU emulators Citra and Cemu, which are known to be quite CPU-heavy.
I thought I might be able to achieve all that if I overclock my CPU and GPU, but because my GPU gets so hot, I cant really overclock my system without it BSODing on me pretty quickly.

What should I replace in order to get things going? Im thinking that if theres alot of room for improvement and I'll need to replace alot of expensive parts, I might as well buy a new system.
My PC is currently more than 3 years old.

I'd love to hear all advices :)
 
Solution
raisonjohn
For the GPU, I would filter the selection by choosing dual fan (or triple fan) models, and eliminate those with single fans. The more fans the GPU has, the lesser (and quieter) it has to work in producing the same amount of airflow to dissipate heat compared to the single fan (which has to work harder/faster and noisier). Comparing different GTX 1080s, you'll have the more-or-less same performance range as they all are GTX 1080s. It's up to you which features you want (such as colors, RGB lighting, backplate, etc.) and the actual specs you need (such as length clearance in your case, overclocking potential, number of required PCIe power connectors, etc.). On a tight budget, I would select the cheapest dual-fan GTX 1080.

The intake...
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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I'd upgrade individual parts first and maximize your current platform's potential, instead of a complete overhaul.

From your current parts list and your goals, I would consider the following:

GPU: Replace your current R9 290 (275W TDP) with a beefier but less heat-generating and less power-consuming Nvidia GPU such as: 1) GTX 1060-6GB (~10% increase in performance from an R9 290, only 120W TDP), 2) GTX 1070 (~50% increase, only 150W TDP, but prices as of today is close to a GTX 1080), or 3) GTX 1080 (~100% increase, only 180W TDP, more value than the GTX 1070 as of current prices).

CPU: Since you mentioned you will be using applications that are CPU-heavy, you can still maximize the Z87 platform by getting an i7-4790K (after a BIOS update on your motherboard). You may also defer the CPU replacement and just OC your current i5-4670K now that your GPU will not generate a lot of heat anymore, and so not to hinder GPU max. possible performance (esp. the GTX 1080).

CPU Cooler: You can still use your current 115W-TDP 92mm CPU cooler to save on costs. But if you have the budget, I would get a beefier air cooler such as the Cryorig H5 Universal (160W-TDP 140mm fan), Cryorig H5 Ultimate (180W-TDP 140mm fan), or the be quiet! Dark Rock 3 (190W-TDP 135mm fan). All these suggested coolers are about 160mm in height which your current Fractal Design Core 3000 case support based on its specs. However, I would also consider (but only optional) replacing such case with one that has more airflow intake (as currently, your case only has 1 intake fan).

Case and Case Fans: You can still use your current Fractal Design Core 3000, but consider adding more intake fans. Your case, as you mentioned, only has 1x front intake fan and 2x rear/top exhaust fan installed. Consider adding another fan at the front intake (your case, based on specs, can support 1x 140mm + 1x 120mm at the front). Consider also adding another fan at the bottom (supports 1x 120mm at the bottom) to directly cool the underside of the GPU.

The above upgrades would lessen the hassle of migrating to a different platform and will save you costs for a new MB, RAM, and (optionally) save costs on a new Case, CPU, and CPU Cooler. In short, the priority parts to change is only the GPU and add a couple of intake case fans.
 
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orikadi

orikadi

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Oct 27, 2014
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Wow! a great advice, thank you!
I've been thinking about getting the 1080 either way, so I'll start with that. which one is considered best, Gigabyte?
Do you think getting more case fans would be enough to cool an overclocked cpu? seeing as how you prioritized GPU and an intake fan over a cpu cooler.
 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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For the GPU, I would filter the selection by choosing dual fan (or triple fan) models, and eliminate those with single fans. The more fans the GPU has, the lesser (and quieter) it has to work in producing the same amount of airflow to dissipate heat compared to the single fan (which has to work harder/faster and noisier). Comparing different GTX 1080s, you'll have the more-or-less same performance range as they all are GTX 1080s. It's up to you which features you want (such as colors, RGB lighting, backplate, etc.) and the actual specs you need (such as length clearance in your case, overclocking potential, number of required PCIe power connectors, etc.). On a tight budget, I would select the cheapest dual-fan GTX 1080.

The intake fans was prioritized over the CPU cooler simply because you already have the case and the cpu cooler in hand. It is more logical to work with what you have first, testing its max. capabilities (just like what you did with your current GPU), before deciding on replacing such items for better-performing ones.

Adding case fans (as you only have 1 intake fan) will definitely improve interior temperatures. But, as to how far it can improve, depends on a lot of variable factors such as your room's ambient temps, the actual temps you have inside your case, the usage of your CPU/GPU, and even your cabling and interior layout/arrangement.

It's a step-by-step improvement. So, first we solve the GPU heat problem (replacing the R9 290 with a more efficient one). Then, we add case fans to check improvement of interior temps (while still using the same case and cpu cooler). Then, you try to overclock (with the same i5 CPU) and see if temps are manageable (using your same cpu cooler). Then, you also try to run the same i5 on CPU-intensive applications and see if performance is acceptable to you. If not, that's the time you decide on getting an i7-4790K and a beefier CPU cooler such as the ones recommended above.

This method will ensure you are maximizing your current components' potential as well as controlling your expenditures piece-by-piece.
 
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