Platform upgrade advice needed

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

Marc Zimer

Reputable
Jun 6, 2015
3
0
4,510
My specs:

Cpu: i5 4430
Gpu: gigabyte aorus GTX 1080
Mobo: Asus h87 plus
Psu: be quiet pure power 600w 80+ silver
Ram: can't remember the model but 8gb ddr3

I'm planning to upgrade my cpu, mobo and ram to this:
Cpu: Intel Core i7-8700K
Mobo: MSI Z370 Tomahawk or Gigabyte Z370 HD3
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Sport Lt Red 16GB 2400 CL16

I use my pc mainly for gaming.

My questions are:
1: Which Motherboard should I get between those two?
2: This is going to be my first platform upgrade. after all the hardware is plugged in and installed,
should I install any software, format my pc or do I just plug n play?
3: my gpu is pretty large, will it fit on each of those mobos?
4: Since this is going to be a pretty expensive upgarde, how much of an improvement over my
current setup is it going to be, from 1-10. 1 being completely identical, 10 being entirely unrecognizable.
5: Will my current PSU be enough to support the new system plus the gtx 1080 gpu?

Thanks a lot for the help!
 
Solution
geofelt
1. take your pick, both are good.
2. If reinstalling games/apps is not a bother, plan on a clean install of windows.
If you want to preserve your current environment, try to boot with your current C drive.
You may or may not be able to boot with your current windows.
If you can, install the new motherboard drivers and go.
3. Pcie x 16 slots are standard. Your gpu swill fit in either motherboard.
4. Many games are graphics limited, so for them, the improvement will not be so great; perhaps a 3.
For games such as sims, MMO, strategy and multiplayer, the CPU change is as good as it gets. perhaps a 8.
The only reason not to say 10 is that your current i5-4430 is still pretty decent.
If budget is an issue, and savings of $120 or so...
Sort by date Sort by votes
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,277
4,132
174,240
1. take your pick, both are good.
2. If reinstalling games/apps is not a bother, plan on a clean install of windows.
If you want to preserve your current environment, try to boot with your current C drive.
You may or may not be able to boot with your current windows.
If you can, install the new motherboard drivers and go.
3. Pcie x 16 slots are standard. Your gpu swill fit in either motherboard.
4. Many games are graphics limited, so for them, the improvement will not be so great; perhaps a 3.
For games such as sims, MMO, strategy and multiplayer, the CPU change is as good as it gets. perhaps a 8.
The only reason not to say 10 is that your current i5-4430 is still pretty decent.
If budget is an issue, and savings of $120 or so is important, a I5-8600K will be very close in performance.
5. You are good on the psu.

And... the 8700k/8600k will not come with a cooler.
Your stock cooler will be inadequate.
The K processors have some 20% more CPU performance available via overclocking.
Plan on a cooler at least as good as a Noctua NH-U12s.
More likely NH-U14s or NH-U15s.
Here are the noctua TDP guidelines:
https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom