I'm looking to upgrade my old PC setup since I finally have some funds from my tax return, but I'm not sure where to start. Currently, I have an Intel i7 7700k, 32GB DDR4 RAM, and a 2060 Super GPU. I have a budget of around $800-850, but I won't be able to afford a GPU upgrade right now. I'm considering upgrading my CPU, motherboard, and RAM together, ideally to something from the latest generation. I'm eyeing a bundle with either the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D or 7800X3D, but I have doubts about whether waiting for a deal makes sense. Should I alternatively go with a Ryzen 7600X or stick with Intel and opt for a 14700KF? Light gaming and productivity are my primary use cases. Also, just a heads up, the nearest Microcenter is over three hours away, so a trip there would require a full day off work.
6 Answers
Can you share more about the rest of your system? Also, which Microcenter are you planning to visit?
Man, I wish I still got tax refunds. Must be nice! 😂
Honestly, now might not be the best time to upgrade, especially with RAM prices being so high. Since Microcenter isn’t convenient for you, consider holding off. You could save for a bigger upgrade in a few years when prices are more reasonable. Alternatively, you could do a smaller upgrade using older parts that still use your existing DDR4 RAM. An Intel board with DDR4 support paired with a CPU like the 12400 or 13400 could give you benefits without breaking the bank.
I just did something similar and I’m really happy with the performance! I spent around $900 for a motherboard, CPU, GPU, and a cooler. The motherboard was tough to find since I needed DDR4 compatibility, but the upgrade was worth it.
The 7850X3D bundle is tempting, but it might push your budget a little too much, especially with that ASROCK motherboard which I personally don’t love.
I’d go for the 7800X3D bundle if it includes a decent B580 motherboard and 16 or 32GB of DDR5 RAM. That combo should serve you well for both gaming and productivity.
I’m trying to stick with 32GB of RAM if I can, but the options I've seen are either 5800 or 6500 depending on the motherboard brand.
am5
You can check out my full system on the link I shared. Basically, I have a small NVMe drive (I have a bigger one lined up, just haven’t installed it), a hard drive for games and projects, an 850W Gold+ PSU, and two basic monitors. I'm looking at Marietta, GA for Microcenter.