Hey everyone! I got my gaming PC back in September 2023 for about $1,400. I mainly use it for gaming (like heavily modded Skyrim, FO4, Starfield, Stalker 2, Valorant, R6, and Cyberpunk 2077) and for work tasks in 2D/3D AutoCAD and Microsoft Work Apps. Here's a breakdown of my specs:
**GPU**: Zotac RTX 4070 Twin Edge OC - 12GB
**CPU**: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (8 cores, 16 threads)
**Motherboard**: Gigabyte B650M
**RAM**: Patriot SL Sig 16GB (2x8GB) DDR5 5600MHz
**Primary Storage**: Lexar NM790 SSD 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280
**Secondary Storage**: Toshiba 1TB HDD (7200RPM)
**Third Storage**: External 4TB HDD
**Power Supply**: FSP Hydro GD2 750W 80+ GOLD
**Cooling**: ID Cooling SE-214-XT
I'm considering upgrades since I have a bit of cash. For the GPU, I've thought about moving up to a 5k series, but prices are way high, like $4,700 for the ASUS Astral Liquid RTX 5090! The 5070TI is on my radar too at around $1,400, which wouldn't require a new PSU. On the other hand, the Radeon RX 9070 XT is more affordable at about $950-1000, though it doesn't show crazy performance improvements over my current card.
As for my CPU, I think the Ryzen 7 7700 is doing fine, but I'm open to thoughts on that. I'm leaning toward upgrading my RAM to 64GB and looking at Corsair's DDR5 Vengeance or Dominator at 6400MHz; is that a smart move?
I'm also keen to expand my primary storage since it's running low on space, and I'm pondering a bigger M.2 drive for that.
What do you all think? Appreciate any feedback!
4 Answers
Replacing your secondary HDD with a 4TB SSD is a smart move! It'll definitely improve your overall performance and loading times. Just make sure your motherboard supports it. For your RAM choice, both Corsair models are solid, but you can also consider G.Skill Trident Z if you find them on sale.
Honestly, if you’re not unhappy with your current performance, you might not need to rush into an upgrade. But if you want a boost, both the 5070TI and Radeon RX 9070 XT could help. The pricing is a bit steep now, but they’ll definitely give you a nice bump, especially with those AAA titles you play! But you should weigh it out with the upcoming 6k series too. Waiting might save you some cash!
If RAM is your concern, go for 64GB! It’s a solid upgrade, especially for your 3D work. For gaming, 32GB is fine for most, but if you can, 64GB is future-proofing yourself. I’d suggest getting the Corsair Vengeance or Dominator; they're reliable. As for storage, upgrading that secondary HDD to an SSD would significantly speed up load times!
Great advice! I was also looking at getting a larger M.2 drive for primary storage since I keep running into space issues with my current SSD. Do you have a specific SSD model you'd recommend?
I think it’s better you save your money until the next GPU release. The upgrade you’re considering now might not have a significant impact unless you have a really good monitor. Instead, investing in a better monitor would enhance your overall experience more!
True! I've been eyeing the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. I'm hoping with my 4070, I could manage decent settings at 4k. What do you think about that monitor for gaming?
Yeah, that’s what I’m considering. I’m not having issues with older games, but newer ones like Cyberpunk do get a bit choppy. Just trying to balance out what I'd like to upgrade versus what might come out soon.