[PC Upgrade] CPU+Mobo+RAM Upgrade Advice

[SirBlackKnight]

I am looking to upgrade my PC as the performance on Battlefield 5 is not at the level I would like. I have tried various "guides" on improving performance in this game, my GTX 970 has been modestly overclocked (150 Core and 300 Memory) and the CPU runs on 3.7 GHz all core Turbo while playing the game. I am fed up with fiddling around with all the settings just to gain a few fps.

Below is my current System Configuration.
CPU: Intel i5 4590
Motherboard: Asus H97 Pro-Gamer
RAM: 16 GB Corsair 1666 Mhz
GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 (To be re-used for new build for a few months)
Storage: 120 GB SSD + 500 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD (To be re-used for new build)
PSU: Seasonic M12II 620W 80+ Bronze (To be re-used for new build)
Case: Fractal Design R5 Black with Window (To be re-used for new build)
Monitor: Dell U2414H (1080p 60 Hz) (To be re-used for new build)

I have been monitoring the CPU and GPU utilization during gaming and noted that the CPU is between 80-90% utilized and GPU is around 60% utilized.

I plan on upgrading my CPU+Mobo+RAM first, then my GPU and finally my monitor to 1080p 144 Hz (I was going to do this earlier however decided to wait to see BF5 performance).

I can't afford to upgrade everything at once. Since it seems I am currently more bottlenecked by my CPU I plan on starting with CPU+Mobo+RAM

I was hoping Ryzen 3000 series would be launched in Q1 2019 however now it seems it would be in June 2019 or even later so I don't want to wait for that.

I have done some research and am considering the following CPU+Mobo+RAM based on my budget.

CPU: Ryzen R5 2600X (approx. 330 SGD)
Mobo: MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC (approx. 240 SGD)
RAM: 16GB Corsair LPX DDR4 3200Mhz (approx. 205 SGD)

Will stick with stock CPU cooler for now and maybe get an aftermarket air cooler once I start playing around with overclocking.

A 9600K build (9600K+Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ELITE+Cooler Master MasterAir MA410+Corsair LPX DDR4 3000Mhz) is around 950 SGD whereas this build is around 775 SGD. I am thinking I would rather use the difference on the GPU.

Apologies for the long post, however I though providing an explanation would help with recommendations.

All inputs/recommendations on the above parts and also on my upgrade plan are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Torgine]

I am looking to upgrade my PC as the performance on Battlefield 5 is not at the level I would like. I have tried various "guides" on improving performance in this game, my GTX 970 has been modestly overclocked (150 Core and 300 Memory) and the CPU runs on 3.7 GHz all core Turbo while playing the game. I am fed up with fiddling around with all the settings just to gain a few fps.

Below is my current System Configuration.
CPU: Intel i5 4590
Motherboard: Asus H97 Pro-Gamer
RAM: 16 GB Corsair 1666 Mhz
GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 (To be re-used for new build for a few months)
Storage: 120 GB SSD + 500 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD (To be re-used for new build)
PSU: Seasonic M12II 620W 80+ Bronze (To be re-used for new build)
Case: Fractal Design R5 Black with Window (To be re-used for new build)
Monitor: Dell U2414H (1080p 60 Hz) (To be re-used for new build)

I have been monitoring the CPU and GPU utilization during gaming and noted that the CPU is between 80-90% utilized and GPU is around 60% utilized.

I plan on upgrading my CPU+Mobo+RAM first, then my GPU and finally my monitor to 1080p 144 Hz (I was going to do this earlier however decided to wait to see BF5 performance).

I can't afford to upgrade everything at once. Since it seems I am currently more bottlenecked by my CPU I plan on starting with CPU+Mobo+RAM

I was hoping Ryzen 3000 series would be launched in Q1 2019 however now it seems it would be in June 2019 or even later so I don't want to wait for that.

I have done some research and am considering the following CPU+Mobo+RAM based on my budget.

CPU: Ryzen R5 2600X (approx. 330 SGD)
Mobo: MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC (approx. 240 SGD)
RAM: 16GB Corsair LPX DDR4 3200Mhz (approx. 205 SGD)

Will stick with stock CPU cooler for now and maybe get an aftermarket air cooler once I start playing around with overclocking.

A 9600K build (9600K+Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ELITE+Cooler Master MasterAir MA410+Corsair LPX DDR4 3000Mhz) is around 950 SGD whereas this build is around 775 SGD. I am thinking I would rather use the difference on the GPU.

Apologies for the long post, however I though providing an explanation would help with recommendations.

All inputs/recommendations on the above parts and also on my upgrade plan are welcome. Thanks in advance.

What's your budget?

 

[Slpy]

finally i see someone having the same dilemma

same problem i'm facing, but i want to go with aorus mobo, because i like the design

based for my usage for mostly surf net, video watching and super light gaming, it should ideally be ryzen, but it seems like intel will not go wrong

was thinking of

ryzen 2700x + aorus x470 gaming 5 + corsair 8gb 3200mhz
or
intel i5 9600 + aorus pro wifi + corsair 8gb 3000mhz

and possibly the aorus 1060 for my gfx

 

[SirBlackKnight]

What's your budget?

No fixed budget really however I do not want to spend too much in an attempt to "future proof". I don't mind upgrading in a couple of years. And if I end up going with Ryzen then I could potentially just replace CPU.

Having said that I am comfortable spending around 750 SGD for CPU+Mobo+RAM since I also need to upgrade my GPU and Monitor soon.

 

[Torgine]

No fixed budget really however I do not want to spend too much in an attempt to "future proof". I don't mind upgrading in a couple of years. And if I end up going with Ryzen then I could potentially just replace CPU.

Having said that I am comfortable spending around 750 SGD for CPU+Mobo+RAM since I also need to upgrade my GPU and Monitor soon.

Yeah just go with the 2600X build. Can go with a cheaper Asrock Mobo too.

 

[SirBlackKnight]

finally i see someone having the same dilemma

same problem i'm facing, but i want to go with aorus mobo, because i like the design

based for my usage for mostly surf net, video watching and super light gaming, it should ideally be ryzen, but it seems like intel will not go wrong

was thinking of

ryzen 2700x + aorus x470 gaming 5 + corsair 8gb 3200mhz
or
intel i5 9600 + aorus pro wifi + corsair 8gb 3000mhz

and possibly the aorus 1060 for my gfx

Aren't both configurations a bit overkill for your usage? Unless of course you don't mind spending more then sure why not.

 

[shadow84]

U shld try upgrade your gpu first to 1070Ti or 1080Ti (2nd hand) and see what performance BFV gives you.

From there, then decide if a new gen cpu/mobo/ram is required.

 

[SirBlackKnight]

Yeah just go with the 2600X build. Can go with a cheaper Asrock Mobo too.

Noted, thanks. Which specific AsRock board would you recommend?

On a side note, I chose that mobo as it is apparently one of the best B450 boards (Gamers Nexus/Buildzoid Video and other articles that I read) especially since I hope to try overclocking. Also want to buy a decent mobo to give myself the option to upgrade to Ryzen 3000 series CPU.

 

[MeetYourTea]

144hz monitor is a must if u playing fps.

 

[Torgine]

Noted, thanks. Which specific AsRock board would you recommend?

On a side note, I chose that mobo as it is apparently one of the best B450 boards (Gamers Nexus/Buildzoid Video and other articles that I read) especially since I hope to try overclocking. Also want to buy a decent mobo to give myself the option to upgrade to Ryzen 3000 series CPU.

Buildzoid's video is skewered towards the people who wants to OC their hardware like mad. If you're just going to OC to just above Precision Boost, any decent board would work. Honestly, just use Precision Boost for the 2600X and call it a day.

Try the ASRock B450 Pro4.

 

[SirBlackKnight]

U shld try upgrade your gpu first to 1070Ti or 1080Ti (2nd hand) and see what performance BFV gives you.

From there, then decide if a new gen cpu/mobo/ram is required.

Noted. However, as I stated currently the CPU usage (80-90%) is more than the GPU (60%) usage hence wouldn't it be better to upgrade CPU+Mobo+RAM first?

 

[SirBlackKnight]

144hz monitor is a must if u playing fps.

Yes, I have been wanting one and almost did buy the Acer XB241H however my PC performance is not good enough to give me good frame rates in BF5 right now. So am going to upgrade my PC before buying the 144 Hz Monitor.

 

[Torgine]

Noted. However, as I stated currently the CPU usage (80-90%) is more than the GPU (60%) usage hence wouldn't it be better to upgrade CPU+Mobo+RAM first?

I mean, BFV is CPU intensive. What're your average and 1% FPS?

 

[SirBlackKnight]

Buildzoid's video is skewered towards the people who wants to OC their hardware like mad. If you're just going to OC to just above Precision Boost, any decent board would work. Honestly, just use Precision Boost for the 2600X and call it a day.

Try the ASRock B450 Pro4.

Noted the recommendation for Mobo, will check it out. Thank you.

It is around 80 SGD cheaper than my choice which is always good.

I have never really done CPU overclocking; was hoping to give it a shot this time around and hence I was looking for a Mobo with quality components even if they are a bit overkill.

 

[MeetYourTea]

Yes, I have been wanting one and almost did buy the Acer XB241H however my PC performance is not good enough to give me good frame rates in BF5 right now. So am going to upgrade my PC before buying the 144 Hz Monitor.

its ok even yr fps cannot keep up to 144fps. gaming experience still better playing in 60hz monitor.

 

[Torgine]

144hz monitor is a must if u playing fps.

Wouldn't say must unless you wanna go pro or summit lol. I prefer IPS over 144Hz.

 

[SirBlackKnight]

I mean, BFV is CPU intensive. What're your average and 1% FPS?

I do monitor the fps and frametimes in-game. The fps can be anywhere between 40-90 fps depending on the map and depending on what's happening around me. Average fps I would say is barely around 60 fps, however there is quite a bit of screen tearing and stuttering (when frametimes go to around 25 ms).

I did do an upgrade which improved things slightly. I originally had only 8 GB RAM. I noticed the game would use 7 GB so I bought additional 8GB RAM from the used market which gave me a slight improvement in performance. The game now uses around 9GB RAM.

 

[SirBlackKnight]

its ok even yr fps cannot keep up to 144fps. gaming experience still better playing in 60hz monitor.

Well I hope to be getting one in the next few months.

Do you have any monitor recommendations?

 

[Torgine]

I do monitor the fps and frametimes in-game. The fps can be anywhere between 40-90 fps depending on the map and depending on what's happening around me. Average fps I would say is barely around 60 fps, however there is quite a bit of screen tearing and stuttering (when frametimes go to around 25 ms).

I did do an upgrade which improved things slightly. I originally had only 8 GB RAM. I noticed the game would use 7 GB so I bought additional 8GB RAM from the used market which gave me a slight improvement in performance. The game now uses around 9GB RAM.

Yeah better to piroritize CPU first 4C/4T not going to cut it in BFV.

 

[Slpy]

Aren't both configurations a bit overkill for your usage? Unless of course you don't mind spending more then sure why not.

yes, i fully agree
but the thing is, when i want to game, i dont want to be restricted by the limitations of my build
last game i played was like... d3