System upgrade advice

[bohrz]

Hello, I have an opportunity to update my system and I would like some advice. First things first, my current setup:

CPU - Ryzen 7 2700X
GPU - Zotac GTX 1050 Ti Mini
MB - Gigabyte X470 Aorus Ultra Gaming
RAM - 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3000MHz C15 (typo)
PSU - Seasonic Focus Plus 550
SSD - Samsung 970 EVO 500GB

From the motherboard page I can see Ryzen 5000 series is supported, so I was thinking about getting the 5800X3D CPU, I believe it's the best choice, since this PC (this time around) will only be used for gaming.

- Should I upgrade my RAM as well? Some 3600MHz kit? Should I go for 32GB?

- As anyone can see, my GPU was bad for 2018, it's pain to use it in 2023. Most likely, my mother will bring the GPU from USA in July and, since I live in Brazil, my max budget is 1000 USD because of Brazil's customs. From past experiences the best place to buy is Amazon, because they are price competitive and they deliver to hotels, which Newegg won't (at least last year I wasn't able to buy from them). Any other shops suggestions are welcome. I tried Microcenter, but they mostly sell in store and I couldn't find stores in Orlando, Florida (my mother's destination).

- I've been thinking about the 7900 XT or XTX and the only reason I didn't pull the trigger is because I had a bad experience (you will kill me, sorry ) with an HD4850 in 2009. I'm more than willing to go with AMD, I just need someone with current experience to tell me their drivers are good. I imagine, if going AMD route, I should upgrade my PSU. Any recommendations? I like Seasonic, but the only requirement is to it be full modular.

- From NVIDIA side, the only one I'm interested is the 4070 Ti, because it's below 1000 USD. I'm not too fond of this one because the VRAM size.

- For monitor, I have a Gigabyte G27Q, it's 2560x1440P and 144Hz, so that's my target resolution and refresh rate.

Extra info:
- I never experienced Ray Tracing, but from what I saw from reviews (TPU, HU, GN and so on), 7900 XT or XTX are competent in this regard, although I agree NVIDIA is ahead.
- I'm not concerned with setting everything at ultra or max, I just want a nice gaming experience.
- Since I have a 1050 Ti and the previous one was an HD4850 (which "broke") and a GTS 450, I have lots of games I never played. But I've been wanting to play God of War and Ragnarok, the last Spider Man that was launched to PC, The Last of Us and the latest AAA games, such as Dead Space or Atomic Heart.
- I know it's not a great time for GPU purchases, but the opportunity is now, and the prices in Brazil are even worse.

I welcome any suggestion, even a whole platform update, the point of the thread is discussion and learning. Thank you all in advance!

 

[GerKNG]

it's 2560x1440P and 144Hz, so that's my target resolution and refresh rate.

5800X3D, 32GB (dual rank) 3200 or 3600 is pretty much irrelevant and 3200 is with this board probably the safer bet.
since "1440p 144Hz" is your target resolution and refreshrate anything under a 6950XT, 4070 Ti doesn't make much sense.
and get yourself a proper PSU. (for a 6800XT/4070 Ti at least a high end 750W, 6950XT and beyond 1000W.)

 

[bohrz]

Do you have any recommendations for the RAM kit? I was thinking about an 850W PSU, would that be OK for a 7900 XT or XTX?

 

[GerKNG]

Do you have any recommendations for the RAM kit? I was thinking about an 850W PSU, would that be OK for a 7900 XT or XTX?

DDR4 is on it's way out and even former "Guaranteed" Dual rank kits are nowadays cost optimized single rank stuff.
i recommend buying either 4 dimms or search for a dual rank kit. (Trident Z Neo 2x16GB 3200 or 3600 "GTZNC" was (!) always dual rank)

the difference between a 850W or a 1000W PSU is often just a couple dollars. a 850W PSU is enough for RDNA3 but who knows if we get another generation with transient (power spikes) as bad as RDNA2 in the future.

 

[Lei]

Hello, I have an opportunity to update my system and I would like some advice. First things first, my current setup:

RAM - 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR3 3000MHz C15

I think you made a typo here. Your ram is ddr4. Because neither your mobo nor 2700x support ddr3. So you already have ddr4 sticks.

- From NVIDIA side, the only one I'm interested is the 4070 Ti, because it's below 1000 USD. I'm not too fond of this one because the VRAM size.

- For monitor, I have a Gigabyte G27Q, it's 2560x1440P and 144Hz, so that's my target resolution and refresh rate.

Extra info:
- I never experienced Ray Tracing, but from what I saw from reviews (TPU, HU, GN and so on), 7900 XT or XTX are competent in this regard, although I agree NVIDIA is ahead.

tbh, resident evil looks better without ray tracing. I don't think rt is necessary specially if you can't get enough frames without it. Higher resolution is more logical path than rt.

- I'm not concerned with setting everything at ultra or max, I just want a nice gaming experience.
- Since I have a 1050 Ti and the previous one was an HD4850 (which "broke") and a GTS 450, I have lots of games I never played. But I've been wanting to play God of War and Ragnarok, the last Spider Man that was launched to PC, The Last of Us and the latest AAA games, such as Dead Space or Atomic Heart.
- I know it's not a great time for GPU purchases, but the opportunity is now, and the prices in Brazil are even worse.

I welcome any suggestion, even a whole platform update, the point of the thread is discussion and learning. Thank you all in advance!

I think get AMD and forget about RT.

Do you have any recommendations for the RAM kit?

Buy the same you have. It's ddr4 btw. Just double it.

I was thinking about an 850W PSU, would that be OK for a 7900 XT or XTX?

Yep

You must update your motherboard bios before swapping to new cpu.

 

[bohrz]

Understood! I’ll check the prices for the PSU’s and if possible stretch the budget to get a 1000W one. Seasonic Prime
Series comes to mind.

So, for RAM (@Lei, you are correct about the typo, fat fingers) should I get two more 8GB sticks of the same model, correct?

 

[Hyderz]

do you have a budget in mind you want to spend my good sir?

 

[eidairaman1]

Ram and cpu are fine, get a better gpu

Gold Seasonic Units do well

 

[bohrz]

About the budget, it’s not infinite. Like I said, the parts must be under 1000 USD each in order to not have issues with Brazil’s customs. But I would like to make good decisions.

@eidairaman1 when you say CPU and RAM are fine, you mean what I have now or my choices for the new ones?

 

[Lei]

The difference between a 850W or a 1000W PSU is often just a couple dollars. a 850W PSU is enough for RDNA3 but who knows if we get another generation with transient (power spikes) as bad as RDNA2 in the future.

I think the next upgrade will be selling the entire system. So he can sell the 850w and future-proofing is not really necessary. But you're not wrong.

So, for RAM (@Lei, you are correct about the typo, fat fingers) should I get two more 8GB sticks of the same model, correct?

If you can find it cheap, yep. That suffices. I'd be focusing my budget on gpu and more storage.
But @GerKNG is not wrong either.

I kinda think your system is getting its last glass of champagne, so no need to plan a wedding day (next next upgrade) for it. Just let it have his last supper and retire.

 

[eidairaman1]

About the budget, it’s not infinite. Like I said, the parts must be under 1000 USD each in order to not have issues with Brazil’s customs. But I would like to make good decisions.

@eidairaman1 when you say CPU and RAM are fine, you mean what I have now or my choices for the new ones?

What you have for now

Just spend on the gpu for now then you can get a 5800X3D and change the ram kit later. The major boost will be from a gpu upgrade to like a RX 6700XT

 

[bohrz]

Yep, I know my system is at its life's end. To be honest, I could buy just the GPU (and PSU) now, since it's the most expensive part and prices here in Brazil are bizarre. By the year's end I could change all my platform for something like AM5 or Intel 13th gen. What do you guys think?

I have a little NAS/Server that can always use the old parts.

 

[eidairaman1]

Yep, I know my system is at its life's end. To be honest, I could buy just the GPU (and PSU) now, since it's the most expensive part and prices here in Brazil are bizarre. By the year's end I could change all my platform for something like AM5 or Intel 13th gen. What do you guys think?

I have a little NAS/Server that can always use the old parts.

It's really not, as later a 5800X3D can be dropped in or a 5950 for that matter, ddr5 is in its infancy so wait and just do a gpu for now

 

[Lei]

Yep, I know my system is at its life's end. To be honest, I could buy just the GPU (and PSU) now, since it's the most expensive part and prices here in Brazil are bizarre. By the year's end I could change all my platform for something like AM5 or Intel 13th gen. What do you guys think?

I have a little NAS/Server that can always use the old parts.

So here he shows 2700x to 5800x3d doubles the framerate on same gpu (4070 at 2k)

What do you guys think?

I wanna be deaf and not listen to this video. I wanna be happy and sleep peacefully

 

[P4-630]

ddr5 is in its infancy

With AMD perhaps...

 

[bohrz]

Sorry, I posted before seeing your post with the video. And I am aware the 2700X will bottleneck the GPU like crazy, but I could wait some 6-8 months and upgrade the whole platform, besides the GPU, and these parts I can upgrade my server. Do you think it's a bad idea @Lei?

 

[dgianstefani]

I think going with a GPU upgrade to 4070 Ti/4080, and a new high quality ATX 3.0 PSU is ideal for now.

Next year upgrade to 3rd gen X3D single CCD 8800 chip with the second gen AM5 motherboards. First gen AM5 is having a lot of issues.

Intel might come out swinging with their next generation too.

 

[eidairaman1]

So here he shows 2700x to 5800x3d doubles the framerate on same gpu (4070 at 2k)


I wanna be deaf and not listen to this video. I wanna be happy and sleep peacefully

Yeah that's a 4070, not a 1050ti

If you want an upgrade now do the gpu, otherwise just wait 6 months

 

[P4-630]

So here he shows 2700x to 5800x3d doubles the framerate on same gpu (4070 at 2k)

OP said:

GPU - Zotac GTX 1050 Ti Mini

 

[bohrz]

I really don't like the 12GB VRAM of the 4070 Ti, maybe I read too much threads here arguing how little it is going forward. I'd happily buy a 4080, but it's more than 1000 USD, so I either declare the purchase and pay an extra 50% of the amount above 1000 USD or I try my luck and if customs stop my mother I would have to pay 100% for the exceeding value. Then again, it's a 50+ year woman, she's not the kind expected to be importing a 1000+ USD GPU. Brazil's customs do not search everyone, they have a quota and usually stop "suspicious" people. I'll think about it.

About specific purchases, would these suffice?

- Asus TUF RTX 4080 - US$ 1170.00
- Shappire 7900 XTX - US$ 1000.00
- Corsair RM1000e - US$ 180.00

 

[Eskimonster]

5800X3D is memory sensitive, so i would get dual rank, this could be done with fx 2x16 gb. i would get a 3600 hz low cl set.
But if you are interested in building a brand new sys i would wait 6 month´s.

Me personally just bought 5800X3D and made a brand new sys tho. it cost me 800$ (mobo-ram-cpu-1 nvme)

 

[Marcus L]

I really don't like the 12GB VRAM of the 4070 Ti, maybe I read too much threads here arguing how little it is going forward. I'd happily buy a 4080, but it's more than 1000 USD, so I either declare the purchase and pay an extra 50% of the amount above 1000 USD or I try my luck and if customs stop my mother I would have to pay 100% for the exceeding value. Then again, it's a 50+ year woman, she's not the kind expected to be importing a 1000+ USD GPU. Brazil's customs do not search everyone, they have a quota and usually stop "suspicious" people. I'll think about it.

About specific purchases, would these suffice?

- Asus TUF RTX 4080 - US$ 1170.00
- Shappire 7900 XTX - US$ 1000.00
- Corsair RM1000e - US$ 180.00

Just get the 7900 XT and avoid any potential issues with customs, the 4080 isn't worth a 200 premium and especially not if you factor in a possible +50% PSU is solid also, then your prime for a platform upgrade after that

 

[bohrz]

@Marcus L did you mean the 7900 XTX? Because the 4080 is (about) 350 more than the XT.

 

[Marcus L]

@Marcus L did you mean the 7900 XTX? Because the 4080 is (about) 350 more than the XT.

My bad, yes, XTX

 

[bohrz]

OK. I think I'm settled. Nevertheless, I have to wait until mid July to buy the parts, maybe some sale happens until then and I can buy better or cheaper parts, who knows. It's not the time to discuss this, but thinking about the future a little, would a 7800X3D or a 13600K be enough (or the new generation equivalents by then)? I do not intend to upgrade my monitor for the next two years.