Haswell Upgrades?

[HamnJam]

I hope people don't mind me posting on this thread with a question.

 

Running a Haswell (i5-4670K) / Asus Maximus VI Hero / 1070 / 8GB DDR3 1600MHz ram to power an incoming 3440x1440p screen.

 

I do want to go to 16gb of ram but am wondering what would you do?

1. Purchase ram for my current set-up and call it a day OR
2. Upgrade to coffee lake hence new CPU / MOBO / RAM (I'm sure I can re-use my Kraken X60 cooler)

This is primarily for games with light word processing / excel use.

My understanding so far is that there is a small gain for Haswell to Coffee lake. Any differing opinions?

 

Thanks!

Edited December 30, 2017 by HamnJam
clarity edit

[NoRomanBatmansAllowed]

Ehh, not too much has changed since haswell. Sure, RAM changed, but DDR4 is expensive AF. 

 

DDR3 is still at a much more reasonable level (still overpriced) so I'd stick with your current system.

[jfn4th]

While you definitely would see a bit of improvement in performance, it likely would not be nearly enough to justify the cost of a new cpu and mobo. Keep in mind that when running higher resolutions like you currently are that performance becomes more and more GPU dependent, and less CPU dependent (in most cases). Obviously buying DDR3 now and having to replace it all when you upgrade down the line isn't optimal (especially with RAM being so expensive right now), but at least prices for both DDR3 and DDR4 should drop sometime in 2018 when the shortage is currently expected to end.

[Damascus]

DDR4 is expensive as balls, you could probably get 16gb of ddr3 and a 4790k for the same price as 16gb of DDR4

[Suika]

18 minutes ago, Damascus said:

DDR4 is expensive as balls, you could probably get 16gb of ddr3 and a 4790k for the same price as 16gb of DDR4

That's quite the exaggeration, that or you severely undervalue the i7-4790k.

[Damascus]

Just now, Suika said:

That's quite the exaggeration, that or you severely undervalue the i7-4790k.

Spend any time on r/hardwareswap?  You can get a 4790k used for 180 or so, 16gb ddr3 for another 60ish

[Suika]

2 minutes ago, Damascus said:

Spend any time on r/hardwareswap?  You can get a 4790k used for 180 or so, 16gb ddr3 for another 60ish

That's still more than a 16GB 3200MHz kit of DDR4 costs the last I checked. Lower frequency memory is even less.

[Damascus]

2 minutes ago, Suika said:

That's still more than a 16GB 3200MHz kit of DDR4 costs the last I checked. Lower frequency memory is even less.

Fair point, cheapest 16gb kit is 170 RN.  My point still stands, it's much better bang/buck and OP winds up with 24gb total.  If we cut that extra RAM to 8gb (total 16) it's only $40 more than the cheapest kit and much cheaper than a nicer kit.

 

[Suika]

5 minutes ago, Damascus said:

Fair point, cheapest 16gb kit is 170 RN.  My point still stands, it's much better bang/buck and OP winds up with 24gb total.  If we cut that extra RAM to 8gb (total 16) it's only $40 more than the cheapest kit and much cheaper than a nicer kit.

I actually double checked, the cheapest kit that's in stock is $190. Ah well.

 

I do agree, though, OP would be better served picking up an extra 8GB than moving to Coffee Lake. At 3440x1440, OP is going to be way more GPU bound in the vast majority of titles, so such a CPU upgrade doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

[Damascus]

Just now, Suika said:

I actually double checked, the cheapest kit that's in stock is $190. Ah well.

 

Gotta love that crippling RAM pricing

 

[HamnJam]

Thanks so much for the insight! I'm glad I was on the same wavelength as others. The cost to performance gain just doesn't seem worth it.

 

I do need the extra RAM tho (can't run demanding games and a browser in the background) so I will be purchasing soon.

 

I currently run G.Skill Ripjaws X Series DDR3 at 1600MHz...

1. am I better off adding another 8gb at 1.6k? can ram be mixed and matched? or would I need to purchase the same ones?
2. or new set of DDR3 at 2400Mhz?

Thanks again! Cheers!

[Damascus]

1 minute ago, HamnJam said:

 

I currently run G.Skill Ripjaws X Series DDR3 at 1600MHz...

1. am I better off adding another 8gb at 1.6k? can ram be mixed and matched? or would I need to purchase the same ones?
2. or new set of DDR3 at 2400Mhz?

 

Get another kit at whatever speed, it will automatically run at the lowest XMP

[HamnJam]

Quick update: got to 16gb now and certain games are so much better to play ie BF1

 

menus are so much snappier and i no longer experience incredible slow downs..

 

thanks for the suggestions all

[Ebony Falcon]

Wait till may get a 2600x and oc the shizz out