Best way to use my money?

Dave_2 · Dec 22, 2017

Power Supply: U12-42467 (Model #)
CPU: Intel Core i5 4590 3.30 GHz
Motherboard: GA-Z97-HD3
RAM: CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
I want to upgrade my computer because right now I think my CPU is bottle necking my computer, but unfortunately I also need to upgrade my RAM as one of the sticks has is no good anymore. I don't know whether I should get 16gb of RAM, or buy a good i7 CPU and go for 8gb of RAM.. What would give me the most value?

velocityg4 · Dec 22, 2017

Have you looked at resource monitor? If you aren't hitting 100% CPU usage and you aren't using all your RAM. Neither upgrade will help much. Perhaps you just need an SSD to make your PC feel much faster. It can make a huge performance difference.

Bob125484 · Dec 22, 2017

Upgrade cost to i7 and 16G: $200
Buy i7 on ebay for $200. Sell i5 for $100. Buy 8G for $100

Upgrade to i5 8400 (6 cores): $300
Z370 Mobo/CPU/16G DDR4: 130/200/170 = 500
Sell old mobo/CPU/DDR3 = 50/100/50 = 200

Go with AMD Ryzen.

This is rough estimate and I could be way off! I guess if you to ebay and see how much it sold and cost of shipping/fee, you get more accurate cost.

g-unit1111 · Dec 23, 2017

Bob125484 :

Yes - an i5-8400 is actually $200, and you can pair that with a low end Z370 board which retails around the $120 mark. Only X factor is the RAM which right now a 16GB kit retails for around the $250 mark.

Dave_2 · Dec 23, 2017

velocityg4 :

I will need to run a benchmark, but I know for sure I need to upgrade my RAM. I will be running games that recommend 8gb, while some recommend 12 but it isn't a necessity. So, I am unsure if I should go all out "future proof" with the RAM and get 16gb or compromise with 8 to save money for elsewhere.

velocityg4 · Dec 23, 2017

Dave_2 :

Without mention in your OP of gaming, your GPU or what games you play. I'd have no idea about your use of the system and just have to assume general purpose.

If you have a good GPU. The next logical step would be an i7. Either an i7-4770K or i7-4790K. As either will allow you to overclock. While some games benefit with more than 8GB RAM. A greater percentage benefit from the higher clock rate you can achieve from the overclocked i7. Some will also benefit from the increased number of threads of the i7.

As for buying a CPU. You need to decide between new and used. CPU have a failure rate of less than 1% per year. Given that. The odds of a new CPU or used CPU lasting over 10 years before failure are nearly identical.

As the system is already used. I'd recommend saving money and buying a used CPU off eBay. You get very good buyer protection from eBay and Paypal. As long as it works when it arrives. It should still work long after it is incredibly obsolete. Your motherboard or PSU will likely fail long before the CPU. If it doesn't work. You get a refund.

Then I'd take the suggestion of selling the old CPU. Use that money to upgrade the RAM. If you buy used RAM off eBay. Be sure it is not ECC memory. There is a lot of cheap ECC memory on eBay. Your motherboard does not officially support ECC memory.

That being said. There is one module in the memory support list which is ECC made by hynix (HMT351U7CFR8C). There is at least the possibility of unbuffered ECC memory working. I don't think it is worth the risk.

Dave_2 · Dec 23, 2017

velocityg4 :

Dave_2 :

Without mention in your OP of gaming, your GPU or what games you play. I'd have no idea about your use of the system and just have to assume general purpose.

If you have a good GPU. The next logical step would be an i7. Either an i7-4770K or i7-4790K. As either will allow you to overclock. While some games benefit with more than 8GB RAM. A greater percentage benefit from the higher clock rate you can achieve from the overclocked i7. Some will also benefit from the increased number of threads of the i7.

As for buying a CPU. You need to decide between new and used. CPU have a failure rate of less than 1% per year. Given that. The odds of a new CPU or used CPU lasting over 10 years before failure are nearly identical.

As the system is already used. I'd recommend saving money and buying a used CPU off eBay. You get very good buyer protection from eBay and Paypal. As long as it works when it arrives. It should still work long after it is incredibly obsolete. Your motherboard or PSU will likely fail long before the CPU. If it doesn't work. You get a refund.

Then I'd take the suggestion of selling the old CPU. Use that money to upgrade the RAM. If you buy used RAM off eBay. Be sure it is not ECC memory. There is a lot of cheap ECC memory on eBay. Your motherboard does not officially support ECC memory.

That being said. There is one module in the memory support list which is ECC made by hynix (HMT351U7CFR8C). There is at least the possibility of unbuffered ECC memory working. I don't think it is worth the risk.

I apologize, I could have sworn my GPU was listed in my PC info, it's a GTX 1070 8gb. I will most often be playing games like BF1, PUBG, and Rainbow Six Siege. But, to be honest, now that I think about I am better off buying 8gb of RAM until I understand more about computers. I will keep your advice in mind for the future though, thank you very much.

velocityg4 · Dec 23, 2017

Dave_2 :

You're Welcome. BF1 should show improvements at 16GB. I don't think the others will be affected much unless you leave programs open in the background.

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