Challenge! Fine-Tune My Rig! Improving for future 4K Gaming! :-)

[Nebbiotto]

Hi Everyone,
while waiting (2-6-10 months ?) for a good GPU for 4k gaming to emerge (full range from AMD\NVIDIA out in the stores and proper benchmarks done)...

I know it's usually the new and supe rcool rigs that everyone is focussing on... but i'd like to have your expert opinion on how to fine tune \ improve \ fix my current rig and make it up to speed for 4K gaming!

Motherboard:
Asus TUF Z390-Pro Gaming (Intel Z390 ATX, OptiMem II, Aura Sync RGB, DDR4 to 4266+ Mhz, 32Gbps M.2, Intel Optane, USB 3.1 Gen 2)

CPU:
Intel Core i5-9600k (3,7 Ghz 9Mb Cache Socket LGA 1151)

Cooler:
Cryorig MICOCR-C7 (30 dBA, 40,5 CFM, 600 ~ 2.500)*

RAM:
Corsair CMK16GX4M2B3000C15 Vengeance LPX (XMP 2.0, DDR4, 3000 MHz, 1.35V, C15)**

GPU:
Gygabyte GTX 970 Windforce

PSU:
Corsair RM750x (Modular, ATX, 80 Plus Gold, 750 Watt)

SDD:
Samsung MZ-76E1T0B/EU860EVO (Internal SSD, 1 TB, 550 megabyte/s)

CASE:
Old Case***

DISPLAY:
My 48" 4K Samsung Smart TV****

NOTES:
*I went for a low-profile cooler when i bought my i5, but i'm open for suggestions for better\newer models of air cooling (quiet and cool is my target, possibly some light overclocking in the future)
**I'm thinking of moving to 2x16 Gb of 3200 Mhz C16 or 3600 Mhz C18 but i'm open to suggestions
***Open for suggestions (currently an old case... i dont even remember the brand\model), i'd like sometghing silent and air-tight
****The PC acts as the home media center and gaming rig

Thank you everyone for the support and help,
N.

 

[FinneousPJ]

I don't think your rig requires anything more than a new GPU for 4K gaming. Definitely wait until AMD lays their cards out before making a decision, I think the 6800 non-X will be great buy if you care about price/perf.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

You really need a ton more gpu power for 4k gaming a 3070 at around $499 assuming it isn't vaporware like the 3080/3090 is your best bet. I would also keep an eye on big navi and what amd offers in that general price/performance bracket because its likely to have twice as much vram.

 

[FinneousPJ]

As for the other points, I think Gamer's Nexus is still recommending the P400A case as best overall. Noctua NH-U12A for the CPU. I don't think it's worth upgrading the RAM unless you have a specific need for 32 GB, but on the other hand it's cheap now.

 

[Nebbiotto]

I don't think your rig requires anything more than a new GPU for 4K gaming. Definitely wait until AMD lays their cards out before making a decision, I think the 6800 non-X will be great buy if you care about price/perf.

Yes, i will definitely wait for both Nvidia and AMD to be done launching their cards before making any decision.

So, you also think that 6 cores at 3.7 Ghz Min is enough for 4K gaming?

Thanks for the reply,
N

You really need a ton more gpu power for 4k gaming a 3070 at around $499 assuming it isn't vaporware like the 3080/3090 is your best bet. I would also keep an eye on big navi and what amd offers in that general price/performance bracket because its likely to have twice as much vram.

Yes, thats why i'm waiting for Nvidia and AMD to finish launching.

Vram also worries me lookign ahead, news of Nvidia scrapping the 16 Gb 3070 and 20 Gb 3080 worries me...

Lets see...

Thanks for the reply,
N

As for the other points, I think Gamer's Nexus is still recommending the P400A case as best overall. Noctua NH-U12A for the CPU. I don't think it's worth upgrading the RAM unless you have a specific need for 32 GB, but on the other hand it's cheap now.

Yeah, the P400A looks pretty neat! I'll keep my eyes open and watch some reviews.... once i know for sure the size and model of my new GPU i'll make a final decision!

Never tried Noctua before but i know it's one of the best... i'll check the model you suggested.

We'll switching to 2x16 Gb RAM was to possibly getto 3200 Mhz or even 3600 Mhz while its cheap (the 3600 Mhz is just in case i might one day switch to an AMD Mobo and CPU...)

Thanks, again,
N.

 

[ratirt]

Yes, i will definitely wait for both Nvidia and AMD to be done launching their cards before making any decision.

So, you also think that 6 cores at 3.7 Ghz Min is enough for 4K gaming?

Thanks for the reply,
N

4k gaming is mostly GPU bound so any (modern) processor can handle it. Your i5-9600K will do just fine.

 

[ebivan]

Yeah, get a new GPU. Doesnt matter if its gonna be 3070, 6800 or something from a higher tier, just get one of this years generation at the price level of your choice and whatever will be actually available for purchase.

Before investing 100+ for a Noctua or some AIO cooler, invest the same money by sellinh your i5 and getting an i7. But your CPU and coolet are fine as they are so bo need to actually spend money.
If you have any tasks that actually profit from 32gb, you can get 3200 or even 3600 memory. As long as its only gaming, 16gb will be sufficient for the time being. And the improvement from 200 or 600mhz clocks would not really be noticeable in real world.
So all in all, keep your cpu and memory and rather get a higher tier GPU like 3080 or 6800 xl or xt if you wanna spend more money.

You already got the PSU to power these beasts, so really not necesary to switch out anything else but the gpu...

Maybe sometime in the future invest in a NVME SSD and use your SATA SSD as a secondary, as soon as Direct Storage (RTX I/O and AMDs equivalent) becomes actually adopted in games.