I currently have an old system with an i7 4770, 16GB DDR3 RAM, and a 980Ti graphics card. While it runs most games fine, I'm struggling with performance when I have a lot of Chrome tabs open, causing crashes due to lack of memory. I'm considering upgrading to 32GB of RAM to help with this but have been shocked by the prices and confused by the differences between DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5. My question is, should I just buy new parts and build a completely new PC, given I'd need a new motherboard for different RAM types? Would it be worth keeping the 980Ti, or is it now considered outdated? Additionally, would 32GB of DDR4 RAM actually provide a noticeable improvement over 16GB of DDR3? Lastly, are DDR5 builds worth considering for performance, or should I focus on DDR4? My budget is between $1000 to $1500 for this upgrade or build.
6 Answers
If I were in your shoes, I'd go for a DDR4 Intel build with 2x8GB RAM. That should give you decent performance without breaking the bank.
It sounds like your system is in need of a major upgrade. I'd suggest going for 2x16GB of DDR4 RAM, and you can always add more later if your motherboard supports it. But you might also want to think about upgrading that 980Ti since there are good second-hand deals out there! Previously, I snagged a used 1070Ti for a great price. Keep in mind, however, building a new PC can be quite an expense right now, but if your current rig is running well, consider selling it or repurposing it as a media server.
It really comes down to how much you're willing to spend. Since you’ll need a new motherboard for newer parts, you’re looking at a full system rebuild regardless. I suggest you save a bit more and plan ahead for a stronger setup. And yes, the 980Ti is considered old now; look for something from the RTX 20 series and beyond to keep up with modern gaming.
I'd recommend going for a new PC. The i7 7700K with a 1080Ti can still manage decent performance in games like Battlefield 6, but honestly, your current setup is a dead end. If you're on a budget, that's totally fair, but starting fresh might be best.
Honestly, I wouldn’t waste any more money on DDR3 at this point. It's much better to save up for a complete upgrade to a more modern platform with DDR4 or even DDR5. In terms of your current setup, consider limiting your Chrome tabs for now; that browser can really eat up memory!
Upgrading your RAM can help with everyday tasks, but don’t expect major game performance improvements from it alone. Bigger changes are needed for that level of gameplay.
Yeah, throwing more cash at DDR3 feels pointless. I faced a similar issue before and ended up just going for a full new build. Checking out PCPartPicker can really help you estimate costs.