Old PC update - what's your opinion?

[Jarek_89]

Hi Folks!

 

First of all, I'd like to welcome all of you as this is my first post here.

I'm watching LinusTechTips YouTube channel from time to time and I really enjoy it.

 

I used to be up-to-date with PC-related stuff, but I stopped few years ago doing other things.

So, because I want to upgrade my old PC I thought I will ask you guys for some opinions.

 

A little bit about my current, old gear and my needs.

 

Current config:

 

CPU: Intel Core i7 2600K 3.4GHz

MoBo: ASRock P67 Pro3

GPU: Asus GeForce GTX 560 CirectCU II TOP 1GB DDR5

Memory: 2x GoodRam DDR3 4096MB

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular (80+)

+ new SSD and HDD

 

Usage:

 

I use my PC mainly for hi resolution photo editing and in the future I will do some video editing.

Of course I love to play some games like The Wither 3 which I finished on my current gear with so-so performance but not so bad

 

My thoughts:

 

I was thinking about adding additional RAM as 8GB is really low and changing just a GPU for something like GTX 1060 or GTX 970 and later in the future buing a new MoBo + latest i7.

What do you think?

 

Should I buy new CPU, MoBo and GPU at the same time or it makes complete sense to do it step-by-step?

 

Budget is not a problem, but I'm just not sure if I need right now anything more as this i7 2600K is still pretty good CPU.

 

I'll be glad for any help and tips.

 

Cheers,

Jarek

 

[xephoneration]

I am going to be leaning towards a new cpu, mobo, and gpu combo, just because you said you do high res photo editing as well plan on doing youtube uploads. But I think buying a new gpu is a first good start than later upgrading your cpu and mobo

[SteveGrabowski0]

I wouldn't buy the 970 now, the 1060 6GB is better in every way and cheaper.

[Jarek_89]

Thanks @xephoneration,

 

I wonder, will something like GTX 970 or GTX 1060 give me a huge jump in terms of gaming performance and working with Adobe software or the PCI Express 2.0 will be a bottleneck?

 

Yes, @SteveGrabowski0. The 970 was just an example

 

Cheers,

Jarek

[m0k]

thats a very capable pc
agree you need a new gpu
why not overlock the cpu ? its a k part, meant for overclocking?

[Jarek_89]

2 minutes ago, mok said:

thats a very capable pc
agree you need a new gpu
why not overlock the cpu ? its a k part, meant for overclocking?

I did overclock it (currently it's running close to 4.0GHz).

Don't know how much I can go with my cooling system (be quiet! Dark Rock Advanced)

[SteveGrabowski0]

15 minutes ago, Jarek_89 said:

Thanks @xephoneration,

 

I wonder, will something like GTX 970 or GTX 1060 give me a huge jump in terms of gaming performance and working with Adobe software or the PCI Express 2.0 will be a bottleneck?

 

Yes, @SteveGrabowski0. The 970 was just an example

 

Cheers,

Jarek

The 1060 6GB would give you an enormous gaming performance improvement over a 560, we're talking complete night and day.

 

http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB-vs-Nvidia-GTX-560/3639vs3155

 

Your i7-2600k is still a strong gaming cpu, especially if you overclock it a bit. PCIE-2.0x16 isn't a bottleneck at all. Check this article on PCIE scaling on the GTX 980, which is really close to the 1060 6GB in performance:

 

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GTX_980_PCI-Express_Scaling/

 

I don't work with Adobe software though so I can't tell you how much the 1060 would improve that. I wouldn't buy the 1060 3GB, as 3GB isn't a lot now.

[Jarek_89]

Thank you guys,

 

I really appreciate your help!

 

What do you think about RAM? Should I buy another 2x4GB or 2x8GB DDR3 or just wait for the new MoBo and buy some DDR4?

 

Thx!

[m0k]

22 minutes ago, Jarek_89 said:

Thank you guys,

 

I really appreciate your help!

 

What do you think about RAM? Should I buy another 2x4GB or 2x8GB DDR3 or just wait for the new MoBo and buy some DDR4?

 

Thx!

you wont notice any difference going from ddr3 to ddr4

[Jarek_89]

Ok, so I have 2 sticks of 4GB RAM @ 1600MHz, working in Dual Channel mode.

 

Question:

Will it work if I'll put another 2 sticks of 4GB or 8GB but faster? Like 2133MHz or 1866MHz?

 

Cheers!

[Quaker]

It will work, but the new RAM will run at 1600 speed, so you may as well just get DDR3-1600.

 

Keep in mind that, if you want to upgrade to the latest Skylake CPU (or AMD Zen) you'll want DDR4 RAM.