Hey everyone! I need your advice on upgrading my PC, as I'm looking for the most cost-effective route. My system is from about 2015/2016, and while it still handles daily tasks and some casual gaming pretty well, I want to boost performance for running open-source AI models, primarily LLMs initially and possibly video generation later on.
Here's what I'm working with:
- **CPU:** Intel i7-4790K @ 4.0 GHz (4 cores / 8 threads)
- **GPU:** NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
- **RAM:** 16 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
- **Motherboard:** MSI Z97 PC Mate (MS-7850)
- **Power Supply:** EVGA 650W 80+ Gold
- **Storage:**
- Samsung 850 EVO 120 GB SSD
- WD Blue 1 TB HDD
- Seagate Barracuda 4 TB HDD
Should I upgrade components one by one, or is it better to save for a whole new build? If I do need a new setup, what would you recommend?
2 Answers
Honestly, I think it's best to consider a full rebuild. Since your system is pretty old, any upgrades you make won't be able to keep up with the latest tech, especially for AI tasks that require a lot of processing power and VRAM. You might be better off selling your current rig and using that to fund a new build. AI video generation needs powerful GPUs, and even a high-end one might struggle with short clips.
I agree with the others; I'd save up for a completely new setup. Sure, you could swap out the GPU for a newer model, but then you're still dealing with a really old motherboard and CPU. Plus, you'd likely need a new power supply. It’s better just to hold off a bit and get something that won't be outdated soon. Plus, consider NVMe drives for storage if you want to really speed things up.
Yeah, I'm wondering what a good new build would look like too! Anyone have suggestions for a solid next-gen setup?
Totally! And if you're looking to reuse some parts, your SSDs and HDDs can definitely transfer to a new build. Just make sure to check your power supply's age since that's an important factor—10 years is around the time you may want to replace it.