should i upgrade my desktop for win11 or get an eGPU fpr my laptop?

[Ruffleduffle]

Budget (including currency): no set budget, just looking for some advice

Country: Germany

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: the most demanding Game will probably be Star Citizen

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): 

So about my situation: I am using a fairly aging System right now, its  gtx 1070 with a ryzen 5 1600af and 32gb of ddr4 ram. The upcoming eol of Windows 10 has me thinking on what the best path forward might be for me. I dont game as much as i used to, so i am not really looking at getting anything on the bleeding edge. Honestly if it wouldnt be for me needing windows to run a few of my favourite Games, i would just install SteamOS in the fall and call it a day but here we are. 

I have recently gotten a rtx 3070 from a friend, but its just sitting on the shelf until ive decided how to go forward.

 

What would be a minimal viable solution for updating my current desktop for win11?

 

I have a decent Laptop with an usb 4 port (82YM003XGE - Lenovo Yoga 7 14' with an amd ryzen 7 7735u and 16gb of ram) and was thinking of getting a little docking situation with an eGPU enclosure going. My monitors are fairly old and nothing special, just some standard 1080p 60hz panels.

 

I have also seen the Framework desktop coming up and are intrigued by its small footprint, my current pc case is the HAF XB Evo and it ist taking up a large space on my desk.

 

If i end up with the Framework Desktop or the Laptop dock, i still plan on using my current desktop as a NAS/Media PC which wouldnt require a windows install.

 

How would you tackle this situation, also what should i look out for in an eGPU? is my Laptop even compatible? Ive only ever seen thunderbolt enclosures and as far as i know, that is an intel tech. Does it even work with an AMD CPU?

 

Thanks so much for your input!

 

[thekingofmonks]

Don't bother with an eGPU, it's a hassle to set up. Error codes and black screens with the mildest incompatibility.

 

Just upgrade the CPU to a 5700X3D and swap the 1070 for the 3070. Make sure to get a better cooler.

[Ruffleduffle]

6 minutes ago, thekingofmonks said:

Don't bother with an eGPU, it's a hassle to set up. Error codes and black screens with the mildest incompatibility.

 

Just upgrade the CPU to a 5700X3D and swap the 1070 for the 3070. Make sure to get a better cooler.

if i remember correctly, the ryzen cpus have the tpm module on the actual cpu package, right?

[thekingofmonks]

4 minutes ago, Ruffleduffle said:

if i remember correctly, the ryzen cpus have the tpm module on the actual cpu package, right?

Yes, fTPM is in the CPU

[PDifolco]

@thekingofmonks is right, a 5700x3d on your system will be a huge upgrade, pairs well with the 3070, and will allow you to install Win11

[Ruffleduffle]

thanks for the feedback, gents!