Budget PC build

[BDukes]

I'm looking into upgrading a few peices of my current machine.  I'm looking to only spend around $500 so can't go too big with the upgrades.  With 2 children, both under 5 years old, I would like to be able to have the longest life parts possible.  It's been a while since I've upgraded anything.  I believe my process can by transferred to a new board but that's up for debate also.  Current specs listed below.  Looking to upgrade my board, GPU, and adding a M.2 if possible.  Looking for advice and help with what parts would work well together.  Also will most likely add the new install of Windows 10.  So looking for recommendations on things to buy that would help the most with performance.  

 

Current setup

i74770k CPU

650 Ti GPU

Sata HD

[Slottr]

What do you use the pc for? If anything I'd get an SSD and keep your cpu, motherboard and ram (depending how much you have and at what speeds)

[AirSocial]

11 minutes ago, BDukes said:

I'm looking into upgrading a few peices of my current machine.  I'm looking to only spend around $500 so can't go too big with the upgrades.  With 2 children, both under 5 years old, I would like to be able to have the longest life parts possible.  It's been a while since I've upgraded anything.  I believe my process can by transferred to a new board but that's up for debate also.  Current specs listed below.  Looking to upgrade my board, GPU, and adding a M.2 if possible.  Looking for advice and help with what parts would work well together.  Also will most likely add the new install of Windows 10.  So looking for recommendations on things to buy that would help the most with performance.  

 

Current setup

i74770k CPU

650 Ti GPU

Sata HD

No need to buy windows when you can get it for free but you just have a little watermark. That can same you some money.

[TheBean]

get a good ssd (preferably something like the 970 evo or 860 evo)

if you can afford a new gpu, a 1050 or 1050ti should be a massive upgrade. 

[krakkpott]

Would like to know how much RAM do you have now

i7-4770K is still a very capable processor. I suggest keeping everything and add a SSD for a snappy fast boot drive, and maybe upgrading your GPU if you wanna game. Used RX470/RX570s are pretty cheap these days.

[Toxicknight79]

Keep the 4770K it wont bottle neck any  budget gpu i know of.   if you only have 8gb DDR3, i suggest   obtaining  a matching   extra 8gb  kit  to   go 16gb,  GTX 1050 would make your gtx 650  look like  a GT210 in comparison ,,, its not the TI   but  its  cheaper.   the Ti    is a beast   of a budget card  out performs a GTX770   which  was a rebranded GTX 680  so you d definitely feel a huge difference there.   a 240gb ssd, crucial  or kingston for budget but samsung if you wanna  pay a lil extra for  better   quality. 

[SkilledRebuilds]

I'm a 4th Gen 4790K user. Suss my Profile for specifics.

Without going into too much detail writing paragraphs...

I'd get a 120-240mm Watercooling setup (All in One is fine) Depending on space you have, likely a 120mm AIO watercooler in a Low-RPM

Push ->> ||| ->> Pull situation, or if the budget allows,.. 240mm will get much better results (cooler, quieter, higher OC's)

Take the CPU to 4.3-4.5Ghz is possible,.. could go higher,.. but you want everyday usage, with coolness, quietness

Games are using more and more threads as time goes on.
I would pair it with "FAST" Ram,(when a CPU is SPECIFICALLY at 80-100% loads it matters the MOST.. 2133-2400Mhz sticks, and run them at stock XMP 2133/2400Mhz or overclock to 2400/2600Mhz (Auto Timings) if possible.

Boot from SSDs, Game on HDDs are fine,.. but likely that anything faster will help in (installing/updating/loading times) See below... about using what you have to do this cost effective. Again, HDD's are fine, but not ideal.
 

Spoiler

You can use Windows to...... 1, shrink 4-8GB off the SSD partition as blank storage/space, 2, use Cache software to attach that 4-8GB to the Gaming HDD (making it an SSHD essentially) for boosted loads on repeating assets in games keeping it quite snappy loading things.

 

You can Game on 8GB Ram quite fine,.. it's just not the smoothest experience. Smoother with 16GB, not unplayable with 8GB.
 

GPU wise... I'd spend more of my money here,.. the CPU you have is no slouch, it just really needs a small overclock to handle higher GPU's like a GTX1070 or GTX1080/2070

A Used GTX970 is still beast, costs the same or less than a used GTX1060 3GB,..
Also..RX470/480, I wouldn't go lower than a HD7970/GTX680 as you may as well buy a Used GTX1050Ti at that point and enjoy future technologies it has like memory compression and better recording hardware...

Much choice, depends on availability.

[BDukes]

Thanks for all the suggestions.