Need help figuring out what I need to upgrade for my computer.

Toby Exner

Toby Exner

Toby Exner

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Joined
30 Nov 2019
Posts
6
Hello everybody, so my computer is about 7-8 years old and I have upgraded a few parts over the years but I need some recommendations from people more experienced than me on what parts could be slowing my computer down and what needs to be upgraded first! Here are my specs: tell me if you need anymore information.

[UserBenchmarks: Game 49%, Desk 51%, Work 30%](https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/22170491)



||Model|Bench

:----|:----|:----|

**CPU**|[Intel Core i5-4690K](https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Intel-Core-i5-4690K/Rating/2432)|68.2%

**GPU**|[Nvidia GTX 1060-6GB](https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB/Rating/3639)|52.7%

**SSD**|[Samsung 850 Evo 120GB](https://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Samsung-850-Evo-120GB/Rating/3484)|87.2%

**HDD**|[WD Blue 250GB (2010)](https://hdd.userbenchmark.com/SpeedTest/53/WDC-WD2500AAKX-753CA1)|11.7%

**HDD**|[WD Blue 1TB (2012)](https://hdd.userbenchmark.com/WD-Blue-1TB-2012/Rating/1779)|56%

**RAM**|[Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1866 C10 1x8GB](https://ram.userbenchmark.com/SpeedTest/95762/Corsair-Vengeance-CMZ8GX3M1A1866C10-1x8GB)|24.3%

**MBD**|[Asus MAXIMUS VI HERO](https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Asus-MAXIMUS-VI-HERO/72)|
 
What is your budget? Have you Overclocked your CPU to gain more performance? Are you currently having any issues when gaming etc?
 
Minibiker said:
What is your budget? Have you Overclocked your CPU to gain more performance? Are you currently having any issues when gaming etc?
Click to expand...

Hello Minibiker, appreciate your response.

My budget right now is 300-400. So not too much for enough for a part or two I'd say. I have not overclocked my CPU yet ever. The main issues I have with gaming is that I can't run many games. Extremely low frame rate. Booting up my computer also takes a long time and freezes when I have more than one program running.
 
The slow start up and response times could be the fact that you have HDD, If you can grab a nice 500gb SSD and do a fresh Windows install and have games on that youll see a big difference... If your willing to spend money and would rather have better performance out the box instead of needing to overclock your CPU then I'd consider moving to DDR4 and Ryzen
 
If the 128 ssd is the os drive it is too full at 87%. A bigger ssd will do wonders. 8Gb if ram is absolute minimum, upping to 16Gb will also help. Any left over budget should go to a faster gpu, maybe a 2070 super.
Andi.
 
Minibiker said:
The slow start up and response times could be the fact that you have HDD, If you can grab a nice 500gb SSD and do a fresh Windows install and have games on that youll see a big difference... If your willing to spend money and would rather have better performance out the box instead of needing to overclock your CPU then I'd consider moving to DDR4 and Ryzen
Click to expand...
Hello Minibiker,

I am fine with spending some time figuring out how to overclock my current processor. I am guessing that DDR4 is just a more modern and better version of current RAM cards? I apologize I might be a little confused here. My budget is like 300-350 actually really so I can't go too deep. think I am just gonna opt for getting a new SSD and some more RAM. I am also guessing that Ryzen is another manufacturer of processing chips? I have heard in another forum that AMD has become very good lately as well.
 
andicole0 said:
If the 128 ssd is the os drive it is too full at 87%. A bigger ssd will do wonders. 8Gb if ram is absolute minimum, upping to 16Gb will also help. Any left over budget should go to a faster gpu, maybe a 2070 super.
Andi.
Click to expand...
You are right andi. My 250GB drive is actually the OS drive which could explain why it's so slow. I think I am going to buy some new RAM and another SSD but then what would I replace? I imagine I would transfer all the contents of my 250 HDD to my new SSD as well as keeping my 1TB hard drive and 120 GB solid state? Or can you only have one solid state? Thanks for your help.

Also, once I get new SSD and more RAM I think the next goal is a new processor then. Thoughts on whats the best right now or who makes the best product? I have heard lately that AMD makes very good stuff. Is my graphics card okay too? Would that need to be upgraded if its only 6GB?

Thanks.
 
Minibiker said:
I forgot to ask, what PSU do you have?

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £338.47 (includes shipping: £10.50)
​

^^ that's what I'd consider, if you can push for a 500gb SSD for around £60 then go for it
Click to expand...

Before I crack open my computer case, what do you need the PSU for? Are those parts you listed such as the DDR and processor dependent on if I have sufficient power supply?
 
@Toby Exner only reason it's good to ask what your PSU is like age and watts is because if you add a new GPU or Overclock your CPU it will draw more power from your PSU, you don't want to be doing any of that until you know your PSU is strong enough...

As for your question about Ryzen, it's AMD range and over the past couple of years has caught up with Intel and in some areas beat it....
 
Minibiker said:
@Toby Exner only reason it's good to ask what your PSU is like age and watts is because if you add a new GPU or Overclock your CPU it will draw more power from your PSU, you don't want to be doing any of that until you know your PSU is strong enough...

As for your question about Ryzen, it's AMD range and over the past couple of years has caught up with Intel and in some areas beat it....
Click to expand...
Good point Minibiker. I have wanted to overclock my CPU for awhile so while I am putting in upgrades it might be good to look into overclocking. My PSU is the Corsair CX600.

I also had another question regarding RAM. Should I replace my 8GB stick and get 2X8GB sticks or should I just add one stick that rounds out to 16GB? Will there be a problem if I have mismatched rams and one is DDR3 while another is DDR4? My system information says ASUS: All Series and I have a maximus vi hero so I assume my computer can handle any ram yes? I was looking at this one

RAM competitor link removed

and this one

SSD competitor link removed

And then I am going to monitor these changes, try to overclock my CPU and measure results. Thoughts on those two pieces of equipment?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Your PSU should be fine for now, how long have you had it?

You can't link competitor sites on here I'm afraid as Overclockers pay for these forums...

As for the RAM you can only have DDR3 as DDR4 Will require a new motherboard as its a newer platform... I've had a look around on other sites and found some DDR3 1866mhz 8gb RAM for around £30, I'd be tempted to add another stick to round it up to 16GB, If you buy RAM with a slower speed then your PC automatically chooses to run at the lower speed so make sure its the same speed RAM before you buy, then grab yourself a 1TB SSD like the one below

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £91.69 (includes shipping: £8.70)​
​
 
I suggest you remove the competitor links before you get caught by the admins
I would avoid a change to amd at the moment as budget is limited and the change maybe too much to get to grips with.
I would use the opportunity now to re-install Windows onto a new ssd. Remove all other drives first, install Windiws then plug back in the data disks. Put your original os disk in last to recover any data from that. You can attach as many disks as there are ports on your motherboard.
As for the 1060 it's not the memory that will cause fps issues that really only limits resolution. The newer 2000 series Nvidia cards ste much better and good value in their 'super' models.
If you wish to change cpu then look up the options for the motherboard first. An i7 with hyperthreading could be a cheap upgrade.
Andi.
 
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