[Help] Upgrading my current system.

[deadgenesis518]

Currently I have a decent budget system the specs are as follows:

 

• Intel Core i5-2500
• HP Z210 Workstation Motherboard
• 10GB DDR3 Memory @ 1333MHz
• Gigabyte Windforce R9 290X 4GB OC
• ADATA 256 GB SSD
• 1TB Western Digital HDD
• 600W EVGA PSU
• Fractal Design Meshify C TG

 

 

I am selling my entire system except for my drives and graphics card to a friend next week for $400.  With this in mind I would like an upgrade even if it is only a few percent and upgrade is an upgrade to me. I already choose to buy the same case again because I love it and it's cheaper now so whatever.  I also want a better power supply with nice cables so I was thinking this one.  

If I buy this case and power supply that will leave me with $250 USD to spend on a processor, motherboard, and memory.  I was thinking an older 6 core Xeon and 16GB of DDR3 might be doable but I would like to hear what other have to say on the topic.  

I should also mention that I game at 4K.  (My system seems underpowered for 4K and to be honest it is a little bit but I am able to play GTA V at 4K all high except textures and shadows which are set to very high at over 60 FPS.)

 

Parts I have already decided on 100%:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/V3rv4q

 

Thanks in advanced.

[Eastman51]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$94.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard	$69.89 @ OutletPC
Memory	G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory	$59.89 @ OutletPC
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$244.77
	Mail-in rebates	-$20.00
	Total	$224.77
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-29 15:30 EST-0500

Here's a list of brand new parts for under $250. the PSU you picked out should be decent enough. You could go used, but if you stick with DDR3 you're only going to have to spend more on upgrades later. If you get DDR4 now, you can just reuse it later on. 

 

You could get 2x8 RAM instead of 2x4, but it will be more expensive. You definitely want dual channel though, Ryzen benefits from it (but its typically better all around anyways). 

 

You could also get a Ryzen 5 2400G instead of the 2200G, which is also more expensive; but it is a better CPU and it might keep you from having to upgrade as quickly. But, the CPU bottleneck (especially with your current GPU) will be much less at 4k.

 

The motherboard isn't amazing, but it should be decent for your budget.

7 minutes ago, deadgenesis518 said:

I should also mention that I game at 4K. 

On a R9 290 you aren't going to last much longer on decent settings at 4k. I'd definitely look into getting a better GPU relatively soon (late summer maybe).

[Jurrunio]

13 minutes ago, deadgenesis518 said:

I was thinking an older 6 core Xeon

Good luck finding a good board for it. Server boards are clunky to use, consumer boards you can still buy are either made by Chinese or even South East Asian factories that break apart broken boards and scavenging functioning parts to make a "new" one of their own (which means no quality assurance or control to speak of), or just very expensive.

 

19 minutes ago, deadgenesis518 said:

Parts I have already decided on 100%:

I'd say no on that ancient PSU design, no point to buy it in 2019. I know I'm also using an old PSU, but I got that at about the same time as the CPU came out from Intel's fab.