Upgrading PC - what should I upgrade first?????? 2018

jansontim · Mar 8, 2018

When I built my computer in 2016, I purchased anything that was cheap.

I now have money to spend on an upgrade. I can spend around $300.00 or save if it will be more beneficial

But here is my current set up:

Computer Stats

Processor: i5-4590

EVGA Gefroce GTX 960 4GB

EVGA 500 B1 Bronze 500w

Kingston HyperX Furry 8gb Kit (2x4gb)

ASRock Mirco ATX DDR3 1333 LGA Motherboard

I didn’t realize my mother board was a mini, but it’s been working fine.

I also recently purchased a Samsung SSD 500gb and it was a game changer

Any advice would help. I wish I saved a little more when I initially purchased items.

rustigsmed · Mar 9, 2018

what do you use your computer mostly/for? what is your screen specs?

jansontim · Mar 9, 2018

I use it for gaming.

Most played games are GTA V, Witcher 3, and Counterstrike.

IInuyasha74 · Mar 9, 2018

Honestly, probably best you just wait. GPU prices are sky high right now, otherwise a GPU upgrade would be the obvious answer. Your CPU is getting a little old, but that would require a new motherboard and new RAM too. RAM is high at the moment too, and it likely wouldn't bring any real improvement to your gaming performance without also upgrading the GPU.

evwike · Mar 9, 2018

Monitor, hands down. Especially if you're playing FPS and can get at least 144 frames per second (though, anything over 60 will still work). The difference between a normal 1080p monitor @ 60Hz and a 144Hz gaming monitor is night and day - you'll notice it immediately, everything will be much smoother. I went with this. BenQ's offer the best value imo, you get the same performance for a better price than Asus.

Your frame rate is actually capped by your monitor's refresh rate. If you have a 60Hz monitor, it can only display 60 fps, even if you get 300. So a 144Hz monitor can display 144fps. People say the human eye can't detect anything over [insert number], it's a myth. You may not be able to detect small changes, but you can without a doubt tell the difference. Professional gamers and video editors use them.

Honestly, the specs you listed look fine to me. Nothing is really screaming for an upgrade. Try the monitor, you'll thank me for it later.

**Note: You'll also need to make sure your video card supports DVI (the white one, it probably does). Most 144Hz monitors will come with a dual-link DVI cable, which you'll need to be able to get anything above 60Hz (normal DVI and HDMI can't). Once you have the monitor hooked up with the dual-link DVI, go into your display/nVidia settings and change the refresh rate from 60 to 144Hz. That part is important, as it is set to 60 by default. When I first got it, I forgot that step and was bummed out for like a month.

maxalge · Mar 9, 2018

jansontim :

save a bit more money

I would get a good 550w power supply and then look for a used gtx 980 for a good price

IInuyasha74 · Mar 9, 2018

evwike :

Monitor, hands down. Especially if you're playing FPS and can get at least 144 frames per second (though, anything over 60 will still work). The difference between a normal 1080p monitor @ 60Hz and a 144Hz gaming monitor is night and day - you'll notice it immediately, everything will be much smoother. I went with this. BenQ's offer the best value imo, you get the same performance for a better price than Asus.

Your frame rate is actually capped by your monitor's refresh rate. If you have a 60Hz monitor, it can only display 60 fps, even if you get 300. So a 144Hz monitor can display 144fps. People say the human eye can't detect anything over [insert number], it's a myth. You may not be able to detect small changes, but you can without a doubt tell the difference. Professional gamers and video editors use them.

Honestly, the specs you listed look fine to me. Nothing is really screaming for an upgrade. Try the monitor, you'll thank me for it later.

**Note: You'll also need to make sure your video card supports DVI (the white one, it probably does). Most 144Hz monitors will come with a dual-link DVI cable, which you'll need to be able to get anything above 60Hz (normal DVI and HDMI can't). Once you have the monitor hooked up with the dual-link DVI, go into your display/nVidia settings and change the refresh rate from 60 to 144Hz. That part is important, as it is set to 60 by default. When I first got it, I forgot that step and was bummed out for like a month.

Unless he is playing a rather old game, there is no way he is going to run anywhere close to 144Hz with his current PC. ANd depending on what games he likes, a 144Hz may not even be attractive. It is in FPS games, but in most strategy games it isn't at all.

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Upgrading PC - what should I upgrade first?????? 2018

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IInuyasha74

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