I built a PC in 2014 and was hoping you fine folks could make some suggestions on how to get the most bang for my buck in upgrades. Budget is $1000.

Current setup:

Asus Z87-A motherboard
Intel i5-4670k cpu @ 3.4 GHz
GeForce GTX 760
Corsair CX600m
8GB Ram (not sure on type)

Thanks

How do you use it? Do you care about graphics?

I play a lot of Civ, Total War, Warhammer, but would also like to play call of duty on it.

Graphics is not the end all be all for me.

You won't be able to upgrade to a better processor without swapping out the h87 motherboard. You'd get a boost with a new gpu but processor will bottleneck you.

If I were you, I'd sell it for a couple hundred bucks and apply the money to buying a used gaming pc off someone else. Unless you have an ssd in it, there just isnt much worth keeping aside from the case and power supply.

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

I upgraded my PC last year with an AMD 5900 with a boatload of memory and some quick SSD cards but I left the GPU for another day due to the ridiculous pricing.

On your budget I would replace the motherboard, get a 5000 series Ryzen processor and 32 or 64 gb of memory and a 1Tb SSD and upgrade the GPU in a couple years.

lb3 said:

---

I upgraded my PC last year with an AMD 5900 with a boatload of memory and some quick SSD cards but I left the GPU for another day due to the ridiculous pricing.

On your budget I would replace the motherboard, get a 5000 series Ryzen processor and 32 or 64 gb of memory and a 1Tb SSD and upgrade the GPU in a couple years.

---

Eh split it between a fast NVME card and the SSD but yes this is a good plan. You can get another year out of the GPU or look for a good deal.

Thanks ya'll.

It looks like a prebuilt is probably the best value, especially considering the fact so much is out of stock, but the sentimental value is hard to get over sometimes.

Amd board with a 5600G processor should be your upgrade path. Then add a gfx card later when needed in a generation or 2. The 5600g has the equivalent of a 1030 built in and can play civ and the like just fine. Built a whole pc for 450-500 minus a case for a friend recently using this set up. He plays Civ and D2R and such now without any issues.

Quick parts list i threw together.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/7VyWZw
Reuse your old power supply, it will work fine. Reuse old case. If you have an SSD right now for storage, you can reuse it as well and bump the M.2 down to a 500GB drive as your boot drive. The MOBO in the parts list is 5000 series ready, no bios update needed but even if it did, this mobo has flashback for easy updating without a CPU needed.


Sell the old CPU, Mobo and Ram, used parts are going for $$$ right now.

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

Pretty much this. I've replaced the Ram, cpu cooler, power supply, storage, and case fans in my pre-built from 2 years ago.

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

---

Generally accurate although you can control it somewhat on better builder sites/sales. The other thing to consider is if it will take you far enough to replace later on? If the answer is yes... well it's not so bad. And this is from someone who hasn't bought pre-built since 90's.

aezmvp said:

---

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

---

Generally accurate although you can control it somewhat on better builder sites/sales. The other thing to consider is if it will take you far enough to replace later on? If the answer is yes... well it's not so bad. And this is from someone who hasn't bought pre-built since 90's.

---

I would avoid building sites as well. NZXT might be better and then there's one that charges only a flat $99 rate to build it for you. Outside of those two companies, I would avoid like the plague. I ordered my first gaming pcs from cyber power pc and I buy power. Cyber power pc was okay but the machine died after 6 months and I got some of my money back. Ibuypower was the worst company I have ever dealt with. Literally got my pc and it didn't turn on. They didn't test it at all. The ram and the gpu were DOA. I sent it back and they sent me another with no cable management done and the case was dinged up bad. I sent it back a third time and I got half my money back. I eventually went to a local builder shop in the woodlands (neobox) and they built it for me but also showed me how to put it together. Long story short, I love building pcs and working on them now. Definitely do the build yourself or find a local company that can do it for you. That will give you the best rate and you'll have easy customer support because you can literally drive to the shop and drop it off for repair.

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

aezmvp said:

---

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

---

Generally accurate although you can control it somewhat on better builder sites/sales. The other thing to consider is if it will take you far enough to replace later on? If the answer is yes... well it's not so bad. And this is from someone who hasn't bought pre-built since 90's.

---

I would avoid building sites as well. NZXT might be better and then there's one that charges only a flat $99 rate to build it for you. Outside of those two companies, I would avoid like the plague. I ordered my first gaming pcs from cyber power pc and I buy power. Cyber power pc was okay but the machine died after 6 months and I got some of my money back. Ibuypower was the worst company I have ever dealt with. Literally got my pc and it didn't turn on. They didn't test it at all. The ram and the gpu were DOA. I sent it back and they sent me another with no cable management done and the case was dinged up bad. I sent it back a third time and I got half my money back. I eventually went to a local builder shop in the woodlands (neobox) and they built it for me but also showed me how to put it together. Long story short, I love building pcs and working on them now. Definitely do the build yourself or find a local company that can do it for you. That will give you the best rate and you'll have easy customer support because you can literally drive to the shop and drop it off for repair.

---

I'm happy to help!
www.arculum.com
jason@arculum.com

*although I'm not local unless you're in Houston

jbryan10 said:

---

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

aezmvp said:

---

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

---

Generally accurate although you can control it somewhat on better builder sites/sales. The other thing to consider is if it will take you far enough to replace later on? If the answer is yes... well it's not so bad. And this is from someone who hasn't bought pre-built since 90's.

---

I would avoid building sites as well. NZXT might be better and then there's one that charges only a flat $99 rate to build it for you. Outside of those two companies, I would avoid like the plague. I ordered my first gaming pcs from cyber power pc and I buy power. Cyber power pc was okay but the machine died after 6 months and I got some of my money back. Ibuypower was the worst company I have ever dealt with. Literally got my pc and it didn't turn on. They didn't test it at all. The ram and the gpu were DOA. I sent it back and they sent me another with no cable management done and the case was dinged up bad. I sent it back a third time and I got half my money back. I eventually went to a local builder shop in the woodlands (neobox) and they built it for me but also showed me how to put it together. Long story short, I love building pcs and working on them now. Definitely do the build yourself or find a local company that can do it for you. That will give you the best rate and you'll have easy customer support because you can literally drive to the shop and drop it off for repair.

---

I'm happy to help!
www.arculum.com
jason@arculum.com

*although I'm not local unless you're in Houston

---

Can verify, Jason is a great person to work with and will get you everything you need. Highly recommend!

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

aezmvp said:

---

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

---

Generally accurate although you can control it somewhat on better builder sites/sales. The other thing to consider is if it will take you far enough to replace later on? If the answer is yes... well it's not so bad. And this is from someone who hasn't bought pre-built since 90's.

---

I would avoid building sites as well. NZXT might be better and then there's one that charges only a flat $99 rate to build it for you. Outside of those two companies, I would avoid like the plague. I ordered my first gaming pcs from cyber power pc and I buy power. Cyber power pc was okay but the machine died after 6 months and I got some of my money back. Ibuypower was the worst company I have ever dealt with. Literally got my pc and it didn't turn on. They didn't test it at all. The ram and the gpu were DOA. I sent it back and they sent me another with no cable management done and the case was dinged up bad. I sent it back a third time and I got half my money back. I eventually went to a local builder shop in the woodlands (neobox) and they built it for me but also showed me how to put it together. Long story short, I love building pcs and working on them now. Definitely do the build yourself or find a local company that can do it for you. That will give you the best rate and you'll have easy customer support because you can literally drive to the shop and drop it off for repair.

---

As long as you pay attention to the specs you're getting, some pre-builts are worth the money for sure.Example being this one from the other PC build thread. Doesnt fit the OP's budget but its a solid PC. Only thing I would change is the ram, upgrade it to 3200 CL16 ram for about $50
https://www.microcenter.com/product/645592/powerspec-g511-gaming-pc

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

aezmvp said:

---

Legalize-It-Ags said:

---

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

Thirding what Agdoc is saying. However don't go pre-built unless you have too. outside of the GPU and the CPU, the components are trash.

---

Generally accurate although you can control it somewhat on better builder sites/sales. The other thing to consider is if it will take you far enough to replace later on? If the answer is yes... well it's not so bad. And this is from someone who hasn't bought pre-built since 90's.

---

I would avoid building sites as well. NZXT might be better and then there's one that charges only a flat $99 rate to build it for you. Outside of those two companies, I would avoid like the plague. I ordered my first gaming pcs from cyber power pc and I buy power. Cyber power pc was okay but the machine died after 6 months and I got some of my money back. Ibuypower was the worst company I have ever dealt with. Literally got my pc and it didn't turn on. They didn't test it at all. The ram and the gpu were DOA. I sent it back and they sent me another with no cable management done and the case was dinged up bad. I sent it back a third time and I got half my money back. I eventually went to a local builder shop in the woodlands (neobox) and they built it for me but also showed me how to put it together. Long story short, I love building pcs and working on them now. Definitely do the build yourself or find a local company that can do it for you. That will give you the best rate and you'll have easy customer support because you can literally drive to the shop and drop it off for repair.

---

I'd agree with this. You have to be pretty careful. Not like the old days where it was so niche you could talk to the guy building your rig.

Right now the new Intel Alder Lake chips are your best bet….if you can find one

I'm also in need of some help from the local experts on what upgrades I should make to my 7 year old desktop. It currently has a Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H motherboard with an i7-4770k processor. 16 GB DDR3 ram. I just snagged an RTX 3070 ti, but want to make sure it's not bottlenecked by existing hardware. Any recommendations?

FortWorthAg said:

---

I'm also in need of some help from the local experts on what upgrades I should make to my 7 year old desktop. It currently has a Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H motherboard with an i7-4770k processor. 16 GB DDR3 ram. I just snagged an RTX 3070 ti, but want to make sure it's not bottlenecked by existing hardware. Any recommendations?

---

I'd look at MB/CPU/RAM but I'd also wonder about your Power Supply at that age. Could be okay for a few more but I'd save some pennies and get a new one there too. Grats on the 3070 ti!

FortWorthAg said:

---

I'm also in need of some help from the local experts on what upgrades I should make to my 7 year old desktop. It currently has a Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H motherboard with an i7-4770k processor. 16 GB DDR3 ram. I just snagged an RTX 3070 ti, but want to make sure it's not bottlenecked by existing hardware. Any recommendations?

---

Replace it with a new 5600x based system.

What MB and CPU would you recommend?

5600x and b550 Tomahawk

Thank you!

FortWorthAg said:

---

What MB and CPU would you recommend?

---

I'm using an ASUS TUF 570 w/ Wifi and having no issues with that chip. The Tomahawk is also a good suggestion!

JTA1029 said:

---

Seconding what agdoc said.

We are in GPU hell still but supposedly there is light at the end of the tunnel if you can wait.

Or just go pre built.

---

When will GPUs not be so insanely expensive or hell just available at all. I have a 1050 TI right now and that card is worth hundreds. That's completely ridiculous, there is no reason for a card a few years old to be that expensive.

With current supply chain issues I expect it will be years before any of this is fixed.

My TUF X570 has been great. Has two full speed nvme slots for SSDs, as well.

aezmvp said:

---

FortWorthAg said:

---

What MB and CPU would you recommend?

---

I'm using an ASUS TUF 570 w/ Wifi and having no issues with that chip. The Tomahawk is also a good suggestion!

---

Seconding the x570 chipset.

Asus, MSI, Gigabyte. Most have the same basic feature set. A few have 3 m.2 nvme slots if that matters to you (standard is 2).

I'm currently using an MSI board, no complaints.