The Last Build

[Donald Keech]

Budget: $500 USD

Country: USA

Workload: Flight Sims, FPS, Gaming, Internet, Movies.

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Current System:

CPU: Intel i7-4790k @ 4.50Mhz

Cooler: Noctua NH-D15

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR

Nvidia RTX 3060ti

Memory: 32Gb DDR3 @ 1600Mhz

Power: Corsair 750W
Chassis: 2010 NZXT Phantom

Monitor: 120Hz 4k TV @ 3840x2160

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I'm 63 and been in the game since the IBM 286 days.

I recently got diagnosed with some medical issues that has drastically cut what remaining years I have left to less than a handful.

I mention this because "future-proofing" is not going to be a consideration in this build.

My current system is quite long in the tooth, and already maxed-out in overclocked CPU & Memory, with a score of 9,000 on 3DMark.

As weak as my current system seems on paper, I can play DCS, Arma 3, Forza Horizon 5, GTA V, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, etc. at 60fps on pretty high graphics settings.

 

I did a little looking around to see what currently would be the best value in $500 worth of upgrades.

Although a lifelong Intel/Nvidia guy,  AMD CPU's and GPU's seem to be doing quite well performance/value wise.

I plan on using my old (huge) chassis, power supply (Corsair 750w), 1Tb M.2, CPU (air) cooler, and HDD.

I will need a CPU, Motherboard, & Memory.

And remember, future-proofing not necessary.

 

1. So, I could just replace the video card in the old system with a $500 one.

2. Or move onto the upper-end of the "retiring" but tried-and-true AM4/DDR4 (CPU, motherboard, memory) platform.

3. Or build an entry-level (CPU, motherboard, memory) AM5/DDR5.

 

A quick & simple upgrade of the videocard on the old system would probably get me a bit bigger bump FPS/graphicly, depending on how big of a bottleneck the old 4-core CPU & DDR3 memory would cause.

 

I am leaning towards the AM4/DDR4 build, because suddenly being relived of the concerns of future performance, I can get a lot of performance today for the money.

I can get the Ryzen 7-5700x3D for $200 bucks right now.

Another $200 for a motherboard and $100 for 32gb DDR4.

Unfortunately, I'm anticipating a 3DMark score of around only 13,000 (up from 9,000), sadly based on the fact that I only improved the CPU & memory, with no change to the GPU.  

 

The AM5 option would put me in on the ground-floor of the new DDR5 paradigm, with lots of room for growth. And although that aspect is of little concern to me, it is flashy new tech. 

New bells, new whistles, and that sweet sweet smell of exploration.

 

Or would it be smarter all-around to split the difference, i.e. improve a little of everything.

$300 for a so-so videocard, $100 for so-so AMD CPU, $70 bucks for a motherboard & $30 for 16gb DDR4 memory.

 

It's fair to remember that whatever choice I make, it will be pushing a 120Hz 4k TV @ 3840x2160.

 

I would like the replacement parts to be new (i'm too wore out to trust used), and being house-bound I don't want to go through the hassle of selling my old parts. 

I'm giving them to a neighbor kid.

 

Given all these parameters, what would build?

 

 

 

[monopoly_hater]

To be honest, I would keep the 3060 ti and NH-D15 and upgrade everything else. Before I dump a parts list, what Corsair 750W?

[Somerandomtechyboi]

54 minutes ago, Donald Keech said:

already maxed-out in overclocked CPU & Memory

no thats pretty far off from max especially for the rams which even if theyre some garbage samsung will still do 2400 and if its hynix might be able to push it to 2600-2800 on 4 sticks (limited by motherboard) though running 2 stick will likely allow for ddr3 3200 atleast if im comparing to x58 as my w3680 with 2 sticks can only hold 3008c11 for 2 hours before crash in prime95 largeffts limited by the board due to needing to use outer channels as the innermost channel is garbage (no stability over 2850) and afaik haswell imc should be quite abit better than 32nm gulftown

 

but this is irrelevant anyways as the 200$ ish that 3060ti would sell for is more than enough to upgrade you to a used 6950xt (400-450$) that outperforms the 7900 gre

 

then once you consider the resale price of that cpu + board + rams which should be 100$ atleast you can get an 8400f based system

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cDF9jH

8400f can be bought for 86$ on aliexpress though if you can get a good deal on the used gpu/get a good resale price on your cpu+board+ram and/or you have some spare stuff you can resell then microcenter has the 9700x bundle for 430$ which will have a much better cpu and board and makes for a more balanced build

[venomtail]

A lot of CPU intensive needs, such as sims and FPS games. 3060TI will finally get to stretch its legs. For $250 an upgrade like @Somerandomtechyboi is a steal. 3D CPU's will give you an healthy boost to sims, but at 4K I think that won't make a difference as the 3060TI will hold the CPU back then, so just as good to get the F model.

[PcBeExpensive]

I don't have much to say on the PC side but I hope everything is ok on the medical side. I'm sorry that you and your family have to go through something this devastating, hang in there man and always have hope. I hope this build is amazing and it isn't your last.

[Donald Keech]

Thanx for all the advice and ideas.

I still don't know what to do.

Decision-making with this old cabbage on my shoulders is becoming a real battle.

 

Currently, I could build the below system with all new parts (minus case, powersupply, M.2, etc.) on Amazon within the $500 budget, including an updated graphics card!:

 

AMD Ryzen 5500 6 core with Wraith cooler....$84.08

Gigabyte A520M S2H Motherboard................$69.99

OLOy 16gb DDR4 RAM.....................................$25.99

Gigabyte RTX 4060 8gb..................................$309.99

Arctic 4 Thermal Paste....................................$6.99

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Total: $497.04

 

The question is, how much better would it be than the system it is replacing?:

 

CPU: Intel i7-4790k 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR

Memory: 32Gb DDR3 

Gigabyte RTX 3060ti

 

The problem is, I keep thinkin'....