To upgrade or not to upgrade (would I really notice a difference?) That is the question.

[BarbaricSoul]

Okay, so I'll start off by saying that I'm currently satisfied with my current systems performance. But I also want to say that while saying the previous statement, I have never actually used a more powerful system than my current system. So while I may be satisfied, that maybe because I don't know just how fast CPUs and RAM have gotten these days. So if I was to upgrade to something along the lines of a i9 system, would I actually tell a difference between my current system and the i9? I do some gaming, but the 1070 is my performance limiting factor there (RTX is just too damn expensive for my wallet). I also do some minor office work. Other than that, my computer just sits and crunches for WCG (yes, I know a i9 would help WCG performance)

Current system specs-
Processor i7 3930k@4.2ghz (+4.5GHz @ 1.38v capable)
Motherboard ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition
Cooling Deep Cool Assassin
Memory 16gig DDR3 1600
Video Card ASUS Dual GTX 1070
Storage 500GB WD Blue SSD, 2TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD
Display HP ZR30W 30" 2560*1600
Case SilverStone Fortress FT04
Power Supply XFX 750W XXX edition
Software Windows 10 Pro 64 bit

Is it actually worth the $1000 it would cost me to upgrade to a i9? Or how about something like a 2700X for a cost of $800?

 

[EarthDog]

At 2560x1600, it's more GPU than CPU really. That said, I'm sure a 5ghz 9900k would be an improvement overall from a 4.2/4.5ghz ivybridge.

If I was you, I'd still wait to see what zen 2 is and perhaps Intels response if you are good for a few months.

 

[moproblems99]

I am in the waiting game to see what happens. I don't think AMD can really charge Intel prices this go around as they need to 'prove' it still for a lot of people. They aren't going to be dirt cheap either though so by pulling the numbers out of my anus I am guestimating about 10% cheaper for comparable performance.

In any case, I can't imagine the prices going higher so holding out for a quarter would be my vote.

 

[Toothless]

Honestly the biggest differences you would get is a stronger GPU and faster ram. Maybe a 9900k or 3850x would result in snappier usage and some higher frames. I'd wait to see what comes out and compare to what you have now.

I'd upgrade the GPU regardless.

 

[hat]

I'd chuck that money into savings instead.

 

[Xzibit]

At 2560x1600, it's more GPU than CPU really. That said, I'm sure a 5ghz 9900k would be an improvement overall from a 4.2/4.5ghz ivybridge.

If I was you, I'd still wait to see what zen 2 is and perhaps Intels response if you are good for a few months.

Intel roadmap was leaked earlier. No 10nm until 2022+.

 

[hat]

No 10nm until 2022? Yikes. I think Intel is in for a world of hurt. They left their balls hanging out and AMD is coming up quick with steel toe boots...

 

[EarthDog]

Intel roadmap was leaked earlier. No 10nm until 2022.

A response doesnt necessarily mean a die shrink. A price drop on existing pieces can also be in the cards. Updates to existing arch... can be worth it depending on what zen 2 does. It's still prudent to wait and see.

You've also quoted wccftech (at least that is where I first saw it - but its sources from some site named tweakers)...I havent seen that leak from any reputable joint.

 

[TheMadDutchDude]

I'd wait until the next Zen chips launch at the very least. You are rocking a Sandy Bridge chip, which is from the 2011 era. You will notice a difference to your overall system performance, for sure, but I would recommend waiting.

If Zen is as powerful as AMD is promising, it could well be a very viable alternative from every aspect. In the mean time, sit tight and wait.

 

[Xzibit]

A response doesnt necessarily mean a die shrink. A price drop on existing pieces can also be in the cards. Updates to existing arch... canal be worth it depending on what zen 2 does. It's still prudent to wait and see.

You've also quoted wccftech...I havent seen that leak from any reputable joint.

Its from
Tweakers - Roadmap shows that in 2021 Intel still makes desktop CPUs at 14nm

The roadmaps come from an internal Dell presentation about products

Doubt its going to be made public but if its true it a big OEM that not expecting any major intel releases

Toms Hardware - Major Intel Roadmap Leak: Ice Lake in Q2, Tiger Lake And 14nm Rocket Lake In 2020

 

[Final_Fighter]

your motherboard, cpu and ram could be sold for a decent price. afterwards you could get an r7 1700 with board and ram for a relatively low cost. you wont gain much single core performance but you will get a good bump in multi core. in all honesty you should wait. prices are bound to drop after zen2. i know somebody who has a system similar to yours and it does just fine.

 

[EarthDog]

snip*

I said it was sourced from tweakers....
(That edit though...)

That Tom's artie also sheds more light on things and a lot more detailed....Again, it doesnt take a die shrink to have an improvement and look at the landscape in a few months. Let's zoom out a bit, eh?

 

[Toothless]

your motherboard, cpu and ram could be sold for a decent price. afterwards you could get an r7 1700 with board and ram for a relatively low cost. you wont gain much single core performance but you will get a good bump in multi core. in all honesty you should wait. prices are bound to drop after zen2. i know somebody who has a system similar to yours and it does just fine.

Due to clocks he might lose single thread performance.

 

[Midiamp]

If you could hold, wait until AMD announces Zen 2. If the leaks about Intel roadmap and Zen 2 specs are real, Intel have to drop prices across the board to stay attractive. The Zen architecture is far removed from Bulldozer where people can scoff at the amount of cores AMD solution offered. The Zen architecture has real benefit and performance, Intel can only responds in term of pricing. The i5-9400F is Intel's quite hot intro to responding AMD's advances, and in my country the demand is quite high. For US$200 you can get a new processor with great gaming and good productivity out of the box.

This year Computex will be epic.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

I went from a 5820k to a 9900k and I notice the difference on a 1440p/165hz monitor its not so much the average FPS but the minimums and overall stability.
It was worth it to me but it's not something I would recommend over waiting to see what Zen 2 offers.

I'm actually going to build a second 8 core Ryzen 3000 system around its release for my wife to game on.
You still may be better off buying a 2080 or used 1080 Ti.

Either way even if you don't end up with Ryzen you may end up with a cheaper Intel based system.

 

[newtekie1]

I'd wait for now, the system is still pretty balanced.

At 2560x1600, it's more GPU than CPU really. That said, I'm sure a 5ghz 9900k would be an improvement overall from a 4.2/4.5ghz ivybridge.

The 3930K is Sandy Bridge.

 

[EarthDog]

Oops.. yes SB-E.

The Song Remains the Same.

 

[eidairaman1]

Wait for Zen 2/Ryzen 3000.

 

[cucker tarlson]

your motherboard, cpu and ram could be sold for a decent price. afterwards you could get an r7 1700 with board and ram for a relatively low cost. you wont gain much single core performance but you will get a good bump in multi core. in all honesty you should wait. prices are bound to drop after zen2. i know somebody who has a system similar to yours and it does just fine.

R7 1700 is gonna be slower than 3930k at 4.5g with quad channel memory except in rendering.
There's cpus like 9900k that would be a big step up but I wouldn't buy it for your use scenario.

 

[Eskimonster]

MY PC resembles yours a lot, im waiting until nxt zen release to see what price level current cpu´s will end on.

 

[R0H1T]

A response doesnt necessarily mean a die shrink. A price drop on existing pieces can also be in the cards. Updates to existing arch... can be worth it depending on what zen 2 does. It's still prudent to wait and see.

You've also quoted wccftech (at least that is where I first saw it - but its sources from some site named tweakers)...I havent seen that leak from any reputable joint.

I don't remember the last time Intel lowered their prices, at least for retail? I know always bashing Intel is wrong but this is one of those things that I really hate about them, no price (MSRP) cuts for DIY in a really long time!

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Ok, I'll wait to see what Zen 2 holds

 

[phill]

Whatever you do end up doing you'll notice a difference in efficiencies and performance but only you can decide if it's worth the cash flow

Does it do everything still that you want? Or is it the new and shiny that you're really looking out for?

 

[EarthDog]

I don't remember the last time Intel lowered their prices, at least for retail? I know always bashing Intel is wrong but this is one of those things that I really hate about them, no price (MSRP) cuts for DIY in a really long time!

We havent been in a situation like this, where AMD will be in top, in years....

 

[R0H1T]

Yet in DIY market with AMD nearly on top, all they do is introduce another SKU at a higher price &/or retire the previous SKU. They do not & probably will not reduce their CPU prices even if AMD beats them hands down with a 12/16 core zen2 chip. The sad part is people still bought their overpriced chips even when the supply was down last year. The mindfactory numbers tell the story which I guess most publications have missed - with increasing core counts AMD have greatly reduced the cost/core however Intel still demands & gets a huge premium even with their locked parts.