Need help on my options

[zendude]

So my current 6yo PC's specs as follows:

CPU: i5 3470
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series
RAM: DDR3 4gb
Mobo: ASRock Z77 Pro3
PSU is this:

100gb SSD still working fine.

I'm looking to make it capable of some basic gaming, dota 2 at 1080p perhaps or run Football Manager fast. Right now I'm thinking of either the cheapest option, to add more DDR3 ram, or spend a bit more to use DDR4 which means my mobo needs to change too. Is there a drastic improvement in taking up either of those options, or do I need to change more parts?

 

[Koenig168]

4GB of RAM will not cut it. You need minimum 8GB preferably 16GB, around $100 to $130.

Upgrading the CPU to i7-3770K will be another $130 to $150.

You will be better off selling the CPU+MB+4GB and go for a new Ryzen build.

 

[zendude]

4GB of RAM will not cut it. You need minimum 8GB preferably 16GB, around $100 to $130.

Upgrading the CPU to i7-3770K will be another $130 to $150.

You will be better off selling the CPU+MB+4GB and go for a new Ryzen build.

can sell where sia all the lousy overused parts lol

hmm ok so copying what others have mentioned, if I go for the following build

Ryzen 3 2200G
ASRock A320M HDV R4.0
G.Skill Ripjaws V 2666MHz 2x8GB (CL15) DDR4

the rest can keep using? the GPU will become redundant right?

 

[Koenig168]

Yup, can just keep using the rest until you feel the need to upgrade.

GPU is obsolete but can still be used so long as it suits your needs.

 

[averdant]

Add 4gb of 2nd hand ddr3 ram for $25-30 from carousell and call it a day, 8gb is enough for most casual users.

Good enough for dota 2 1080p/football manager. For dota 2 can tweak video settings selectively to increase your fps while minimizing the drop in quality for your gaming experience.

http://www.logicalincrements.com/games/dota2#bestsettings


Either that or sell everything off and start with a fresh new build. But personally I don't like side-grading for a similar new build when the old build is working fine. I'll rather upgrade to a 6c12t ryzen 2600 or just stay with the current setup until the mobo dies and sell off the cpu + ram 2nd hand cheap (if it's PSU I'll just buy a new PSU and revive it for build until mobo dies, and re-use it next time for new build).

 

[Morugana]

Using 3470 for the past 7 years. CPU is still very capable.

Recently upgraded the specs to:

16gb ram.
Sapphire rx580.
Samsung evo 500gb ssd.

Most of the games are running at ultra settings 1080p.

Planning to use it until mobo dies which has average usage of 5 years.

 

[Irenicus]

Hi zendude, can you tell us your total budget? Then we can recommend the parts based on it.

 

[zendude]

unfortunately after last night testing it seems like only one of my ram slots is working, gonna get a new mobo

if I get the A320M, get Ripjaws V 2400Mhz 2x4gb (CL17) would be sufficient, waste processing power or overkill?

right now if I spend on those two plus the 2200g it's at most $274 so that's around my budget lol

edit: found that 2666Mhz 2x4gb C15 is only $4 more, might as well get that

 

[Irenicus]

If one of the ram slots is not working, you can still use the other 3 available RAM slots. Either (1) buy 1 more stick of 4GB/8GB DDR3 RAM or (2) sell your RAM and buy 2pcs x 4GB DDR3 RAM sticks.

Your i5-3470 is still a very capable CPU for your usage. The Ryzen 3 2200G will be more of a side-grade in comparison to the i5-3470, especially when paired with your HD 7850 / 7870.

If you decide to buy the Ryzen 3 2200G, please continue to use your HD 7850 / 7870 as it is better than the integrated GPU in the Ryzen 3. Take note that the A320 motherboard does not support overclocking of the CPU. If you want to squeeze a bit more oomph from your CPU in the future, you have to get a B450 motherboard that supports overclocking.

 

[zendude]

If one of the ram slots is not working, you can still use the other 3 available RAM slots. Either (1) buy 1 more stick of 4GB/8GB DDR3 RAM or (2) sell your RAM and buy 2pcs x 4GB DDR3 RAM sticks.

Your i5-3470 is still a very capable CPU for your usage. The Ryzen 3 2200G will be more of a side-grade in comparison to the i5-3470, especially when paired with your HD 7850 / 7870.

If you decide to buy the Ryzen 3 2200G, please continue to use your HD 7850 / 7870 as it is better than the integrated GPU in the Ryzen 3. Take note that the A320 motherboard does not support overclocking of the CPU. If you want to squeeze a bit more oomph from your CPU in the future, you have to get a B450 motherboard that supports overclocking.

hmm the thing is, only one of my ram slot is working, the rest kept making beeping noises despite multiple attempts to ensure they clicked in place. and this working slot only booted up with one ram stick, it didn't make noise for the other but didn't show anything on screen either. From what I heard RAM doesn't break down so easily and have a long shelf life, so I'm wondering if it's the RAM that's the problem or this working slot is being erratic.

if I remain using my i5-3470, which motherboard could I change to?

 

[Koenig168]

8GB DDR3 for $30. Single stick for your existing MB. This should be the cheapest upgrade option until you are ready to do a new build.

https://forums.vrzone.com/motherboards-cpus-rams/3541248-g-skill-value-8gb-240-pin-ddr3-sdram-ddr3-1600-a.html

@mod - I'm not the seller

 

[Irenicus]

You can do a test with the same RAM stick (that works) on the other slots. Test only with 1 RAM stick at a time. If your PC boots, then most probably that slot is ok.

If you remain with your i5-3470, you can change to Z77/H77/B75/H61 motherboards.

 

[averdant]

if I remain using my i5-3470, which motherboard could I change to?

No point going through the hassle to change an entire mobo and reinstalling everything (cpu, PC case etc) when you can get 1 single stick of 8gb ram to replace your 4gb ram, much less work.

Last I rmb on carousell 8gb ddr3 rams go for around $50-60, so the $30 lobang Koenig168 found you is really good. Go for that one.

 

[zendude]

steady, I will just get a 8gb ram. tks guys!

 

[Entry Level PC]

steady, I will just get a 8gb ram. tks guys!

Upgrade to 8GB ram and you get no improvement.
Your bottleneck is GPU.

Nvidia 1060 3GB will give you 50% more FPS compared to your AMD HD 7850.
https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1060-3GB-vs-AMD-HD-7850/3646vs2182

 

[-Synchronicity-]

But ts playing DotA 2 and fm only. He do not need a strong gpu for those. His currently gpu is more then enough.

 

[Morugana]

Wise choice. Just use until the whole mobo dies.

Meanwhile if you require additional graphic power then buy a mid range gpu. Because it can bring over to your future rig

Maybe few years later. Then you can plan your new rig with ryzen and ddr4.

steady, I will just get a 8gb ram. tks guys!

 

[SkyShroud]

Upgrade to 8GB ram and you get no improvement.
Your bottleneck is GPU.

Nvidia 1060 3GB will give you 50% more FPS compared to your AMD HD 7850.
https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1060-3GB-vs-AMD-HD-7850/3646vs2182

if he change gpu
will the cpu become the new bottleneck?
ermm...

 

[Koenig168]

steady, I will just get a 8gb ram. tks guys!

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/graphics-display-bazaar-200/wts-graphics-card-6017969.html

New-ish Zotac 1050Ti mini at $110. You can get 100+ fps for DOTA.

 

[Entry Level PC]

if he change gpu
will the cpu become the new bottleneck?
ermm...

No bottleneck on 1060 3/6GB.
Bottleneck comes with 1070 and above.