Help with upgrades! Please!

[Ashleyjames98]

Hi again,

So I'm looking at upgrading my Ryzen 5 2600 to a 2700X and my RX 580 to a 5700 Non XT. The problem I have is I'm unsure as of if I will need to upgrade my power supply. At the moment, I'm using a 550w PSU from Corsair, would I need to purchase a new PSU? Keep in mind I don't OC.

Many thanks.

 

[polycrac]

Can I ask what motherboard you have and what you use the PC for?

The thing is, that CPU upgrade is fairly minor, it really wont make a lot of difference. If you have a motherboard that could handle the new Ryzen 3000 range though, you might see some real upgrade for your efforts (and I think an x470 might be able to). As for power, try putting your proposed new spec into this config link: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/amd-am4-home-office/ and see what it says in terms of power (I suspect you'll be fine with a 550W, I'm just not sure it is worth the effort)

 

[Ashleyjames98]

Hi,

I've just looked at the pc you've listed above (Similar to my current build) and it's suggesting I upgrade to a 650w PSU
Could I get similar performance from keeping my current CPU (R5 2600) and just upgrading the GPU to a 5700?

 

[polycrac]

What is the PC for? If it is gaming then the gpu upgrade will usually have a lot more impact than a cpu upgrade - especially since the 2600 is a really decent bit of kit. If you could post your full build, inc monitor and your use case (is it more than gaming?) we could give better advice.

FYI I have the 2700x, at the time I got it it was a toss-up between that and the 2600, because the price difference made the 2700x hard to justify. If I had have gotten the 2600, I wouldn't go to all the effort of swapping in the 2700x, I'd be looking at the 3600 instead, although still, I can't fault my CPU - it does all I ask of it!

 

[Ashleyjames98]

Hi,
I've managed to dig up my specs and they're listed below;

Case	PCS GENESIS G1B CASE + SD CARD READER
Processor (CPU)	AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Six Core CPU (3.4GHz-3.9GHz/19MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE: DDR4, USB 3.1 - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)	16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card	8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 580 - HDMI, 3 x DP - DX® 12
1st Storage Drive	2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive	128GB ADATA SU800 M.2 2280 (560 MB/R, 300 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive	NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply	CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable	1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling	STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste	STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card	ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking	WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options	MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System	Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language	United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media	Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software	FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus	BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser	Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Monitor	AOC 19.5" M2060SWDA2 - 1920 x 1080
Webcam	Logitech® HD Webcam C920 - 1080p recording & 720p video calling
Warranty	3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery	STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time	Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days

 

[Ashleyjames98]

Hi,
I've managed to dig up my specs and they're listed below;

Case	PCS GENESIS G1B CASE + SD CARD READER
Processor (CPU)	AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Six Core CPU (3.4GHz-3.9GHz/19MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE: DDR4, USB 3.1 - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)	16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card	8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 580 - HDMI, 3 x DP - DX® 12
1st Storage Drive	2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive	128GB ADATA SU800 M.2 2280 (560 MB/R, 300 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive	NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply	CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable	1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling	STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste	STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card	ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking	WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options	MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System	Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language	United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media	Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software	FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus	BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser	Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Monitor	AOC 19.5" M2060SWDA2 - 1920 x 1080
Webcam	Logitech® HD Webcam C920 - 1080p recording & 720p video calling
Warranty	3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery	STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time	Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days

It would mainly be for gaming and that's what strayed me from the 2700X at the time, but I could opt for a 2600 with a 5700 in it which should be fine

 

[polycrac]

So, looking at that I'd say (and I'm far from an expert) that you have a very good quality PC. The case is a bit low end, that and the CPU will limit major upgrades, but I really don't think that you need major upgrades. Is there anything that you are trying to do, where the PC is letting you down?

If it were me, I'd say the first, overwhelming upgrade to go for would be a new monitor. A 1440p monitor with G/free sync would make more difference to your gaming experience than anything else. I'd get that first, then, if my fps were causing problems because the GPU was struggling to drive all those new pixels, I'd get a better GPU.

The CPU would be the one thing I'd likely leave - better to save cash for a full new build in a year or two, with a better case and CPU, so that future upgrades are easier.

 

[Ashleyjames98]

That case was ordered last year (seems to have been removed off their site) and I didn't want to spend too much on a case as it would only be me seeing it (Unless I was to purchase a new case as well however that I don't even want to consider)

I'd personally say that the games look fine on 1080p for me, it just drops a few frames here and there, depending on what title I play (not major drops, but noticeable to me)

Thanks again

 

[polycrac]

The thing is, it is the tech that syncs the gpu output to the monitor which would really help there - it used to be freesync for AMD and Gsync for Nvidia but these days I think at least Nvidia cards can usually use both. There is a really good monitor thread on these forums - I'll dig around for it and add a link in another post. Broadly, the syncing tech means the games look good because they counter screen tearing.

If you also have a GPU upgrade too, you'll be sorted. The GPU is the thing that limits fps at the higher resolutions, its working so hard the CPU (even an older one) can easily keep up.

The best thing I ever did was move to a 1440p monitor with gsync - it was like night and day compared to my old, cheap 1080p monitor.

 

[polycrac]

Here you are, take a look at this: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/gaming-monitors-guide.65464/

 

[Ashleyjames98]

Hi, so I've just looked at all the monitors and whilst I could get them; in terms of size, they're too big for my pc desktop. (Thus why I went for a smaller monitor.) If possible, I'd have to look at the range of 19-22in per monitor (currently using 2 monitors) but the problem with that is that the smaller monitors tend to cost more (I believe a BenQ 19.5 was around the £350-£400 range) which is too much for a monitor I think. :/ I've seen people suggesting a small 4k monitor but would they cost around the same or substantially higher?

 

[polycrac]

4K and you would certainly need a gpu upgrade! I guess you need to get to a showroom and see a few in action - too small and not much point in going for a higher res.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Just to add, really for 1440p, you're looking at 27" optimal size, for 4k, 32".

If it's dropping frames at 1080, there's an issue with your setup (software).