AMD RX480 4GB Upgrade

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 14:27

Hi all,

After some advice if you'd be so kind. I am looking at upgrading my rx480 4gb to something more substantial.
I'd like to play at a better quality and more frames in games like far cry 5.
Also having to lower more and more settings to achieve 144 constantly (big teamfights etc) in overwatch which is my go to game.

I have a core i5-7400 cpu
16gb Hyper-x ram
Monitor is 144hz 1080p

PSU upgrade was needed so I've already upgraded that to a 650w PSU

I've been looking at the sapphire vega 56 for circa £250 - would the cpu bottleneck this card? Should I hold out / save up a little longer for the 5700 / XT or should i go for something else entirely.

Thanks in advance

Bounce · 12 Jul 2019 at 15:15

I presume you have a Freesync monitor, if so my suggestion would be the 5700/XT

havenrl · 12 Jul 2019 at 15:19

I second that.
If you want to stay on AMD, then the 5700 XT.
Or save a little money with the 5700.

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 15:19

Bounce said:
I presume you have a Freesync monitor, if so my suggestion would be the 5700/XT

Thanks, yep it is a freesync monitor

Darujhistan · 12 Jul 2019 at 15:59

I'd hang on and wait for a AIB 5700XT, its not like your games are unplayble right now or you are without a card.

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:03

Thanks folks, so the i5-7400 shouldn't bottleneck the card if I hang on for a 5700XT

Freddie1980 · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:33

1905dar said:
Thanks folks, so the i5-7400 shouldn't bottleneck the card if I hang on for a 5700XT

Look at your CPU usage in game (MSI Afterburner), if it's constantly 100% or thereabouts then the CPU is holding you back.

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:36

Freddie1980 said:
Look at your CPU usage in game (MSI Afterburner), if it's constantly 100% or thereabouts then the CPU is holding you back.

Thanks, will take a look at that software.

Marine-RX179 · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:39

1905dar said:
Thanks folks, so the i5-7400 shouldn't bottleneck the card if I hang on for a 5700XT

It wouldn't be bottleneck too much if you were only gaming on 60Hz monitor, but trying to push 144fps at 1080p, I can tell you with 100% certainty that it will bottleneck when the graphic card or graphic quality in game ain't the limitation.

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:43

Marine-RX179 said:
It wouldn't be bottleneck too much if you were only gaming on 60Hz monitor, but trying to push 144fps at 1080p, I can tell you with 100% certainty that it will bottleneck when the graphic card or graphic quality in game ain't the limitation.

Okay thank you, anything worth upgrading to on my chipset or would new mobo, cpu and ram be the way forward?

Aretak · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:53

1905dar said:
Okay thank you, anything worth upgrading to on my chipset or would new mobo, cpu and ram be the way forward?

The 7700K would be the best you could do, but they're massively ovepriced even on the used market relative to what they offer in 2019. I'd have a good look at the Ryzen 3000 chips that have just come out. The 3600 in particular is excellent value for a gaming system. You could pick up one of those AND a motherboard for the price that the 7700K still goes for, and be far better off. You should be okay to keep your current RAM though.

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:54

Aretak said:
The 7700K would be the best you could do, but they're massively ovepriced even on the used market relative to what they offer in 2019. I'd have a good look at the Ryzen 3000 chips that have just come out. The 3600 in particular is excellent value for a gaming system. You could pick up one of those AND a motherboard for the price that the 7700K still goes for, and be far better off. You should be okay to keep your current RAM though.

Once again thanks for the help and advice

- this gpu upgrade is getting expensive!

Zernath · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:56

1905dar said:
Once again thanks for the help and advice - this gpu upgrade is getting expensive!

That's the nature of the beast I'm afraid, one upgrade can lead to another, and another, and another....

something else if possible · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:57

Zernath said:
That's the nature of the beast I'm afraid, one upgrade can lead to another, and another, and another....

I'd obviously need a new case at that point as well.... Right? Haha

Zernath · 12 Jul 2019 at 17:02

1905dar said:
I'd obviously need a new case at that point as well.... Right? Haha

It's happening to me at the moment, I've got a Ryzen 7 3700X and ASRock X570 Taichi chilling in the corner of my room, waiting to be put into a new build. I need a couple more bits and pieces though, and some time to spare!

dragonslayer · 12 Jul 2019 at 17:04

1905dar said:
I'd obviously need a new case at that point as well.... Right? Haha

Ofc it MUST have a window for "performance" reasons

Zernath · 12 Jul 2019 at 17:06

dragonslayer said:
Ofc it MUST have a window for "performance" reasons

Plenty of that RGB stuff too, can't have a PC without it these days!

dragonslayer · 12 Jul 2019 at 17:14

Zernath said:
Plenty of that RGB stuff too, can't have a PC without it these days!

Yup! RGB is the new racing stripes

more you have the faster your pc

Darujhistan · 12 Jul 2019 at 23:32

If it sounds like its getting too expensive, you're initial thought is still a very good option, it's a cracking card for £250 and would still be a massive upgrade on your 480. One upgrade does lead to another, I started wanting to replace the very same card last Septemeber and here I am 2 cards, a MOBO, RAM and a CPU later...and I'm still thinking I'd like another case and my PSU is now close to 8 years old...

It can be never-ending.

But for £250 you've got a very cost effective upgrade.

something else if possible · 13 Jul 2019 at 11:57

Thanks again all

I think it'll be the graphics card first.

The new, case, mobo and cpu in a few months time.