I'm looking for some solid advice on upgrading my old PC, which is around 11 years old. I used to be really into building PCs, but I haven't kept up with the latest trends due to other responsibilities. My current setup includes an Intel i7-5820k CPU, an MSI GTX 970 gaming GPU, an MSI X99S SLI Plus motherboard, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and a combination of a 500GB SSD and 4TB HDD for storage. I mainly use it for 1080p gaming, some programming, and streaming Netflix. I'm considering upgrading to newer titles like Cyberpunk and the latest Assassin's Creed games at 1080p, aiming for about 60 fps, with potential for 1440p in the future. I have a budget of around CAD 2,000 but would prefer to keep costs lower if possible. Given the current market for PC parts and my existing hardware, what upgrade path do you recommend?
4 Answers
If you have CAD 2K to spend, you might as well consider going with DDR5 RAM for better longevity and performance.
Honestly, at this point, upgrading an 11-year-old PC might not be worth it. You might be better off investing in a brand new system that can handle current games more efficiently.
Once you hit that age with your PC, reusing components becomes tricky. You'll probably need a new CPU, motherboard, and GPU to handle the latest games. While you can technically use the DDR4 RAM, it might be on the slower side, impacting performance. Given your budget, I suggest going for an entry-level AM5 setup with 32GB of RAM and a 5060 GPU, while reusing whatever else you can. If possible, look to upgrade your hard drive as well.
That's what I was afraid of. Would you say it's better to spend a bit more like another thousand? Or should I stick to keeping it cheaper?
You might need to plan on upgrading almost everything except the case and RAM. Since the latest Intel CPUs still support DDR4, you can save some cash there. I'd suggest looking into getting an i7 12700k or 13th gen processor, and maybe a 16GB RX 9060XT, which performs similarly to the 5060ti. If you're aiming for a solid upgrade, consider getting a 5070 GPU, which is currently the same price as a 9070. You should be able to do the whole upgrade for around $900 USD depending on your chosen GPU. Just be prepared for fluctuating prices!
That's what I'm thinking that maybe everything should just be changed and I just bite the bullet now instead of in a few months or a year.
Where are you seeing DDR5 at 2k?