Need help with upgrading

[Lord Szechenyi]

Hi!

So i have 6gb of ram (2x3gb) 

An i3-2120 Processor

a GTX 1050 ti

and the motherboard is an Optiplex 390 (or whatever it's name is)

so the cpu is getting kinda old, but my main problem is the Ram, i can easily get 2x8gb (Note: this motherboard only has 2 ram slots, so i can't have more than 2 ram sticks) but i don't want to have to re upgrade ram in 4-6 years

i also would like to get a better CPU (a compatible one ofc) but don't know what to get.

I use my computer for many things, but the resolution is 4k (since i use my tv) and most of my (modern) games don't bother me if i have to lower texture resolutions and such, as long as it does 4k60fps.

(That last part is just to really say that i have no intention of getting a better GPU, please don't tell me to get a better one)

So i would like to know the RAM/CPU question, but also if i should get a new motherboard all together?

[Guest]

Dont spend a dime on this if possible.

 

Save your moneys up. Upgrade the entire thing (build new all.) so you can get 4-6 years more without worries.

 

AMD Ryzen gen 1 and bottom end gen 2 is dirt cheap. Board ram and cpu. Be an all new gaming experience for you.

 

 

 

[bowrilla]

1 hour ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

Hi!

So i have 6gb of ram (2x3gb) 

An i3-2120 Processor

a GTX 1050 ti

and the motherboard is an Optiplex 390 (or whatever it's name is)

so the cpu is getting kinda old, but my main problem is the Ram, i can easily get 2x8gb (Note: this motherboard only has 2 ram slots, so i can't have more than 2 ram sticks) but i don't want to have to re upgrade ram in 4-6 years

i also would like to get a better CPU (a compatible one ofc) but don't know what to get.

I use my computer for many things, but the resolution is 4k (since i use my tv) and most of my (modern) games don't bother me if i have to lower texture resolutions and such, as long as it does 4k60fps.

(That last part is just to really say that i have no intention of getting a better GPU, please don't tell me to get a better one)

So i would like to know the RAM/CPU question, but also if i should get a new motherboard all together?

Holy moly, that's an ancient system. The CPU is 9 years old already and you expect your system to run for another 4-6 years?! The best one you could get for your LGA1155 board is a i7 3770k. Still pretty old. 

 

I don't know your board but I assume it comes with a proprietary power connector so both your board and PSU are proprietary and you can't update.

 

4k60Hz with that old hardware? Hardly possible. Every single bit of money dropped on this system is pretty much wasted money. You'd be better off to buying a new system. Look at the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF, choose a decent mainboard from the mainboard tier list, 2x8GB DDR4 memory (3000MHz or faster) and choose a case of your liking as I don't think you'll be able to mount non proprietary stuff into your Optiplex case. 

[Lord Szechenyi]

37 minutes ago, ShrimpBrime said:

Dont spend a dime on this if possible.

 

Save your moneys up. Upgrade the entire thing (build new all.) so you can get 4-6 years more without worries.

 

AMD Ryzen gen 1 and bottom end gen 2 is dirt cheap. Board ram and cpu. Be an all new gaming experience for you.

 

 

 

i don't really want to game that much, the only game that i might play from the last 5 years is Cyberpunk 2077, otherwise i play old games.

it's just that if i open chrome it already eats half of the ram and that is really bothering me.

 

[Guest]

Just now, Lord Szechenyi said:

i don't really want to game that much, the only game that i might play from the last 5 years is Cyberpunk 2077, otherwise i play old games.

it's just that if i open chrome it already eats half of the ram and that is really bothering me.

 

I suggest you give this very recent thread a good read before you make decisions to upgrade vs going new (with warranty). 

You'll be cautious to upgrade the memory properly in that system.

 

 

[Lord Szechenyi]

10 minutes ago, bowrilla said:

Holy moly, that's an ancient system. The CPU is 9 years old already and you expect your system to run for another 4-6 years?! The best one you could get for your LGA1155 board is a i7 3770k. Still pretty old. 

 

I don't know your board but I assume it comes with a proprietary power connector so both your board and PSU are proprietary and you can't update.

 

4k60Hz with that old hardware? Hardly possible. Every single bit of money dropped on this system is pretty much wasted money. You'd be better off to buying a new system. Look at the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF, choose a decent mainboard from the mainboard tier list, 2x8GB DDR4 memory (3000MHz or faster) and choose a case of your liking as I don't think you'll be able to mount non proprietary stuff into your Optiplex case. 

how is it surprising it works in 4k60hz? even gta 5 (granted, with a lot of the graphical settings like anti aliasing lowered) works.

and that CPU you mentioned would be more than great for me.

Edit: after rechecking boy thats way too expensive for me, the 2x8gb ddr3 ram i was able to find for around 50bucks, im not paying 300 for a cpu.

it really is in fact the ram that is problematic for me.

also i'm mostly new to this, but by power connector do you mean the power supply? cause i changed it when installing the GPU.

[Lord Szechenyi]

3 minutes ago, ShrimpBrime said:

I suggest you give this very recent thread a good read before you make decisions to upgrade vs going new (with warranty). 

You'll be cautious to upgrade the memory properly in that system.

 

 

im NEVER.

EVER

Going NEW

I buy used, if i upgrade ram i'll buy used ram and same for CPU.

unless i find something at a reasonable price than i might reconsider buying new.

and thanks that thread is useful 

[Mister Woof]

2 minutes ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

im NEVER.

EVER

Going NEW

I buy used, if i upgrade ram i'll buy used ram and same for CPU.

unless i find something at a reasonable price than i might reconsider buying new.

and thanks that thread is useful 

dang, that's pretty serious stance you got LOL

 

i'm that way about cars.

[Lord Szechenyi]

1 minute ago, Mister Woof said:

dang, that's pretty serious stance you got LOL

 

i'm that way about cars.

look it's not that new is bad.

it's just that buying used is more than half the price and (most of the time) has no reason to fail at all.

sometimes i can even get a warranty when buying used.

[Mister Woof]

Just now, Lord Szechenyi said:

look it's not that new is bad.

it's just that buying used is more than half the price and (most of the time) has no reason to fail at all.

sometimes i can even get a warranty when buying used.

all my cars have been CPOs with free extended warranties.

 

someone else takes the first depreciation hit, and i get the warranty when it matters (once theres' some mileage on it, not when its brand new)

[bowrilla]

52 minutes ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

the only game that i might play from the last 5 years is Cyberpunk 2077

From the last 5 years? It will be released this september and will take A LOT of ressources. Your system is nowhere near the specs to drive this game, let alone at 4k.

 

47 minutes ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

how is it surprising it works in 4k60hz? even gta 5 (granted, with a lot of the graphical settings like anti aliasing lowered) works.

and that CPU you mentioned would be more than great for me.

I assume then you've reduce the resolution in game to like 1080p and below. GTA 5 is old and will be quite a mild load compared to upcoming high end games like Cyberpunk 2077.

 

49 minutes ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

Edit: after rechecking boy thats way too expensive for me, the 2x8gb ddr3 ram i was able to find for around 50bucks, im not paying 300 for a cpu.

it really is in fact the ram that is problematic for me

And that's exactly why at this point it's nonsense to buy upgrades for these older platforms. Used DDR3 modules are ridiculously expensive and the old top of the line CPUs from LGA1155 and LGA1150 are still VERY expensive (for reasons that are beyond me). 16GB DDR3 memory costs about 50 bucks on ebay used. You can get 2x8GB DDR4 3000 memory new for 65USD. Do you know what a AMD Ryzen 1600AF costs new with a sort of usable cooler? ~110-130USD (Newegg). You know what a LGA1150 4790k is being sold these days? At least in Europe for around 180-200€. Guess which one is a better choice ...

 

Even better Z87 and Z97 boards are being sold for ~100 bucks these days. You can get new boards for that money. No idea why people do this but they are.

 

You can get a very capable new system with a Ryzen 1600AF, 16GB DDR4-3000 memory and a mainboard for around 275-300USD and your performance will be A LOT better than investing any money in your system.

57 minutes ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

also i'm mostly new to this, but by power connector do you mean the power supply? cause i changed it when installing the GPU.

A lot of the Dell prebuilts have proprietary plugs and connectors. Regular mainboards have a 24pin ATX connector and a 4 or/and 8 pin EPS connector. Many prebuilts have some proprietary single connector. You therefore need a fitting power supply  with that connector or some jerry rigged adapter which could burn down your house. If yours comes with regular connectors and you got yourself a decent power supply then you're good. What kind of PSU do you have?

 

57 minutes ago, Lord Szechenyi said:

im NEVER.

EVER

Going NEW

Considering your current system and the used market, this is (sorry to be frank) a very stupid decision. You could try finding used modern components maybe but there are very good bargains around and the older used hardware is heavily overpriced.

 

 

 

Again: do not invest ANY money in that platform, get a different system instead. Try to find some used DDR4 memory but DO NOT ignore new prices. There are very good deals to be made right now.