It's upgrade season. Help?

[StayFrostyy]

Hi.

 

I'm upgrading my current PC to the following specifications;

 

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qL84Z8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qL84Z8/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  (Purchased For $0.00) -  received as a gift
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  (Purchased For $0.00) - received as a gift
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  (Purchased For $0.00) - received as a gift
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  (Purchased For $0.00) - already own
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) - already own
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 480 4GB RS Video Card  ($214.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  (Purchased For $0.00) - already own
Total: $264.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-15 15:35 EST-0500

 

What, if any, changes, would you make to my upgrades? I intend on overclocking my 4690K; should I get a higher watt power supply? Also, is it worth replacing my 2 8GB sticks of RAM with ones with heatsinks, or should I just purchase a 16GB set instead? Would you recommend a different GPU? I will be operating on a single monitor at 1080p.

 

Thank you, any advice is appreciated. Have a great day and enjoy the holidays!

 

[3 Lions]

I would just add 16GB of RAM as the rest of the system is fine. 

[paps511]

You may be at the upper limit of the PSU depending if you want to overclock cpu/gpu. 430W is a bit low for a pretty solid build otherwise

[creationex]

ssd?

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3kL7YJ/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e250bam

[Zoravar]

5 minutes ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

I would just add 16GB of RAM as the rest of the system is fine. 

I second that.  

 

But I would also recommend you consider upgrading your power supply.  AMD's minimum PSU wattage for use with a RX480 is 500W, recommended is 550W.

[StayFrostyy]

1 minute ago, paps511 said:

You may be at the upper limit of the PSU depending if you want to overclock cpu/gpu. 430W is a bit low for a pretty solid build otherwise

How much would you recommend I go up to? 500W, 600W, or more than that?

 

[Zoravar]

2 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

How much would you recommend I go up to? 500W, 600W, or more than that?

 

 

600W would be perfect for your system.  500W would be a little on the low end but would still be OK.  Higher than 600W would be overkill. 

[stealth80]

I would also opt for the 8gb 480

[Kobathor]

8 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

How much would you recommend I go up to? 500W, 600W, or more than that?

 

If you're on a budget, get something like Corsair's new CX---M series. Great power supplies, unlike the old CX power supplies. The CX550M would be good. If you want premium with Gold efficiency, I'd get the EVGA 550G2, 550GS, or 550GQ. All good power supplies.

[stealth80]

if your budget allows:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  (Purchased For $0.00)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  (Purchased For $0.00)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  (Purchased For $0.00)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($79.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($81.63 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 480 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($239.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $543.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-15 15:57 EST-0500

[StayFrostyy]

2 minutes ago, Kobathor said:

If you're on a budget, get something like Corsair's new CX---M series. Great power supplies, unlike the old CX power supplies. The CX550M would be good. If you want premium with Gold efficiency, I'd get the EVGA 550G2, 550GS, or 550GQ. All good power supplies.

I'm looking at a budget of anywhere between $250-$350 for everything (GPU, case, additional stuff)

[Zoravar]

21 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

Also, is it worth replacing my 2 8GB sticks of RAM with ones with heatsinks, or should I just purchase a 16GB set instead?

And to answer your other question: Unless you're overclocking your RAM (which I don't recommend - I don't think it's worth it), heatsinks on RAM don't do much of anything other than make it look nice.  

 

If the most you ever plan to go up to is 16GB of RAM, then just get an additional 2-4GB sticks of what you have.  

 

If you want to be able to upgrade to 32GB in the future, replace the 2-4GB sticks you have now with 2-8GB sticks. 

[iRileyx]

I'd definitely get an SSD for that system

[StayFrostyy]

3 minutes ago, Zoravar said:

And to answer your other question: Unless you're overclocking your RAM (which I don't recommend - I don't think it's worth it), heatsinks on RAM don't do much of anything other than make it look nice.  

 

If the most you ever plan to go up to is 16GB of RAM, then just get an additional 2-4GB sticks of what you have.  

 

If you want to be able to upgrade to 32GB in the future, replace the 2-4GB sticks you have now with 2-8GB sticks. 

I will most likely have a maximum of $350 to spend.

 

I should prioritize the PSU over the RAM obviously. Which PSU should I pick? 550W seems like it is the perfect "sweet spot" at the price point as 500W is still on the low side and anything above 600W is overkill.

 

Which PSU would you recommend? I'd like a modular one, but it's fine if it isn't.

[Kobathor]

8 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

I'm looking at a budget of anywhere between $250-$350 for everything (GPU, case, additional stuff)

Here's the list after adding a new PSU (which I would recommend for that GPU anyways) 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 480 4GB RS Video Card  ($214.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $329.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-15 16:04 EST-0500

 

Below $350. If you could stretch it, I'd add an SSD, like everybody else is recommending. You don't have to now, it would definitely put you over budget, but it'll make your system snappier.

The PSU itself is this one:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3hkwrH/corsair-power-supply-cp9020102na

[StayFrostyy]

4 minutes ago, Kobathor said:

Here's the list after adding a new PSU (which I would recommend for that GPU anyways) 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 480 4GB RS Video Card  ($214.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $329.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-15 16:04 EST-0500

 

Below $350. If you could stretch it, I'd add an SSD, like everybody else is recommending. You don't have to now, it would definitely put you over budget, but it'll make your system snappier.

The PSU itself is this one:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3hkwrH/corsair-power-supply-cp9020102na

I love the choice of parts; it's the best price/performance PSU option I've seen yet.

Would you recommend a different GPU around the same price?

[Zoravar]

1 minute ago, StayFrostyy said:

I love the choice of parts; it's the best price/performance PSU option I've seen yet.

 

I agree with that choice of PSU (Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply).  I haven't really come across any at a lower price that I would trust. 

[Kobathor]

Just now, StayFrostyy said:

I love the choice of parts; it's the best price/performance PSU option I've seen yet.

Would you recommend a different GPU around the same price?

I don't know about the same price. XFX makes great cards, and for the 4GB I'd recommend the one you picked. But, again stretching your budget here, I'd recommend upgrading that 480 to an 8GB one, but it'll be pricey (like, $250 pricey.) 

 

The cheapest one I'd recommend is this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/BZJkcf/powercolor-radeon-rx-480-8gb-red-devil-video-card-axrx-480-8gbd5-3dhoc

Cheaper ones are the MSI Armor and Gigabyte G1 Gaming, but both of those have inadequate cooling, making the fans ramp up to keep it cool. More expensive ones will be "better," but you won't be guaranteed to get good overclocks or anything.

[cj09beira]

if you have a efficient power supply you don't need 500w for  a system like yours, rx 480 150w+ oced 4690k 110ish thats your main power usage right there add 100w more for the other stuff and you get to 360ish still well in the psu´s range, thou if you want to buy a new one focus on efficiency and not in power rating 450-550w is the sweet spot because normally at 60-80% usage is were the psus are most efficient.

[StayFrostyy]

11 minutes ago, Kobathor said:

I don't know about the same price. XFX makes great cards, and for the 4GB I'd recommend the one you picked. But, again stretching your budget here, I'd recommend upgrading that 480 to an 8GB one, but it'll be pricey (like, $250 pricey.) 

 

The cheapest one I'd recommend is this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/BZJkcf/powercolor-radeon-rx-480-8gb-red-devil-video-card-axrx-480-8gbd5-3dhoc

Cheaper ones are the MSI Armor and Gigabyte G1 Gaming, but both of those have inadequate cooling, making the fans ramp up to keep it cool. More expensive ones will be "better," but you won't be guaranteed to get good overclocks or anything.

Also, 16GB of RAM is NOT necessary, correct?

[StayFrostyy]

Also (I may as well throw this in here) is there any better case selections for around $50 (feel free to go over maybe $5-$10, I'm buying my GPU in person so I won't have to pay shipping on that)? I need an ATX mid-tower.

[Zoravar]

4 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

Also, 16GB of RAM is NOT necessary, correct?

No, it's not.  If you want to put the money toward some other part of the computer, that would be fine.  You can always add more RAM at a later date when you feel it's necessary. 

[StayFrostyy]

Thank you everyone for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

 

Is there a better case option for $50-$60? Note that my color scheme will be blue, so any colored cases or lights should go with it. Otherwise, a neutral black would be my preferred color.

[Zoravar]

4 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

Thank you everyone for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

 

Is there a better case option for $50-$60? Note that my color scheme will be blue, so any colored cases or lights should go with it. Otherwise, a neutral black would be my preferred color.

 

 

This is $69 (I know, I'm pushing it), but you might like it: http://a.co/6lErLqt

 

I haven't used it personally but it's rated well and I've been eyeing it myself. 

[StayFrostyy]

2 hours ago, Zoravar said:

This is $69 (I know, I'm pushing it), but you might like it: http://a.co/6lErLqt

 

I haven't used it personally but it's rated well and I've been eyeing it myself. 

I really like that one. Since I'm buying my GPU in person (adding $5 to the amount I can spend) plus the Xbox I'm trading in (an extra $40) I may have enough cash to get that case. Thank you for the recommendation.