Is upgrading my cpu going to be enough?

[Loonmario]

Budget (including currency): $400 but varies

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Plex Server (2 streams max), Record OTA HD with TV Tuner, 2K Gaming, Firefox (lots of tabs), general computer use

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

 

i5-4590 cpu

Asus H81M-E LGA 1150 micto-atx motherboard

x2 8GB Gskill PC1600 ram

MSI RX 580 4GB

500GB Crucial MX500 SSD

x2 3TB hard drives

500w EVGA bronze PSU

Hauppauge Win-TV dual HD usb tv tuner

 

The pc works fine for the most part although at times it struggles a little bit.  I also need to replace the case because it rattles too much.  Since I have to change cases I thought I might upgrade it.  I'm going to get a 2K monitor and a new video card and was thinking I should upgrade the cpu.  I'm considering getting a used i7-4790K off Ebay for around $150 maybe which would be the easiest upgrade.  On the other hand I could just upgrade to something new like a new Ryzen 5 3600 setup but that would cost me around $350 for the cpu, motherboard, and ram.  I'm already going to be spending over $500 on a 2K monitor and new video card also.  I know my build is pretty old but does a i7-4790k upgrade make any sense to save money?

 

 

[mr fobs]

11 minutes ago, Loonmario said:

Budget (including currency): $400 but varies

This is going to be a limiting factor for sure, but if you wait for Ryzen 5000 to release, Ryzen 3000 CPUs will be extra cheap, along with B-450 and 550 Motherboards.
 

Example: 

1. Ryzen 3600 - $200 (may drop after Nov. 5th with Ryzen 5000 release)
2. ASROCK B-450M - $80
3. NZXT H510 - $80
4. Corsair 16 GB 3200MHz - $65 (not sure if you need more RAM, but here it is)

 

If you wait or even right now you can get RTX 20 cards for cheaper. and the 2070 Super I know is 2k ready. The thing is, is 2k gaming may force you to get a new PSU as well 500w bronze may get you there, but it'll be pushing it.

[dizmo]

I'd go with the Ryzen upgrade. It's only another $200, and opens you up to a whole lot of other upgrades, instead of spending $150 with a small bump in performance and no upgrade path. You could always go middle of the road, and buy a Ryzen 3100/3300x. Same or greater performance than the Intel upgrade, cheaper, plus you have future expansion. I'd see if you can squeeze a B550 chipset in there.

 

2k isn't really a common reference to anything. Do you mean 1080p?

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

@mr fobs You won't see price drops with Ryzen 3000. They've already seen price drops over the past year, and Ryzen 5000 has a price increase. There's literally no reason to lower the price on them.

[Loonmario]

Sorry I meant 1440p.  I am worried that the i7-4790K wouldn't really help much.  I guess I don't know how much power I need to run a Plex Server, record TV, have Firefox open, and play a 1440p game at the same time.

[mr fobs]

13 hours ago, Loonmario said:

Sorry I meant 1440p.  I am worried that the i7-4790K wouldn't really help much.

The RX 580 may not be enough for 1440p at least if you're trying to get 60fps with everything turned up. 6-8GB of VRAM would be preferred to get 60 fps @1440p in newer games. If you're fine with turning graphics down and possibly 1080p gaming then it would be good for a bit.

 

15 hours ago, dizmo said:

 

@mr fobs You won't see price drops with Ryzen 3000. They've already seen price drops over the past year, and Ryzen 5000 has a price increase. There's literally no reason to lower the price on them.

I was basing this off of it happening with the 2000 series. There were more sales on them and then eventually priced dropped right before and after the 3000 release.

[Loonmario]

5 hours ago, mr fobs said:

The RX 580 may not be enough for 1440p at least if you're trying to get 60fps with everything turned up. 6-8GB of VRAM would be preferred to get 60 fps @1440p in newer games. If you're fine with turning graphics down and possibly 1080p gaming then it would be good for a bit.

Sorry I need to clarify.  I am buying a 1440p monitor and new video card (not sure which yet) which I have committed around $500 for those.  I'm trying to save money on the rest of the build.  I can spend $400 on a cpu, motherboard, ram, and case but I'm already spending a ton on the monitor and video card.  if a i7-4790K can do what I want then I can save almost $200 using my existing parts.  I am worried about the move to 1440p from 1080p and all the programs I'm running in the background.  I'm not a big gamer so 1440p 60hz is fine.

[mr fobs]

This should help in your decision making. I would highly recommend going for the 3600 or 3600x just for longevity sake.

 

If you go with the 4790k, it will become a bottle neck much before the Ryzen would. As seen in my reply above, you are spending a little bit extra, but also getting some extra futureproofing out of the deal.

 

But most importantly, it comes down to what you are playing and how you want to play it.

[Loonmario]

32 minutes ago, mr fobs said:

This should help in your decision making. I would highly recommend going for the 3600 or 3600x just for longevity sake.

 

If you go with the 4790k, it will become a bottle neck much before the Ryzen would. As seen in my reply above, you are spending a little bit extra, but also getting some extra futureproofing out of the deal.

 

But most importantly, it comes down to what you are playing and how you want to play it.

I'm glad you brought up that benchmark between the i7-4790K and the Ryzen 5 3600.  I've seen it before and that's why I'm even considering the i7 used.  However, it's hard to beat the extra cores and threads with Ryzen I suppose.  I wasn't aware new Ryzen cpus were coming out, maybe I can score a deal.

[mr fobs]

35 minutes ago, Loonmario said:

I wasn't aware new Ryzen cpus were coming out, maybe I can score a deal.

If you really wanted to beef up your system, the Ryzen 5600x is looking pretty Spicey, but with is being new is starting at $300 lol.

 

You may find used Ryzen too. You could end up with even a Ryzen 3700x for the same price as the intel you were looking at, anything is possible.

[-rascal-]

40 minutes ago, Loonmario said:

I'm glad you brought up that benchmark between the i7-4790K and the Ryzen 5 3600.  I've seen it before and that's why I'm even considering the i7 used.  However, it's hard to beat the extra cores and threads with Ryzen I suppose.  I wasn't aware new Ryzen cpus were coming out, maybe I can score a deal.

 

'Tech Jesus' did a Intel CPUs over the years review earlier this year.

Comparing Intel CPUs form 2014 ~ 2020 (basically Intel 4th Gen and up), with a few AMD Ryzen CPUs in the mix.

You see where the i5-4690K and i7-4790K stands...

 

 

Planning to retire my i5-4690K @ 4.8 GHz secondary system soon-ish myself...

[Loonmario]

Yeah that video almost convinced me a i7-4790K probably would work but I might as well just rebuild everything.  Since I'm going through the trouble of switching cases it's a good time.  Thanks everyone for the advise.  A Ryzen 5 3600 and b550 motherboard.sounds like a plan if I can get them on sale hopefully.