New Set up vs Existing Rig Upgrade

[LankyBM]

Hello all,

I am currently debating either buying a new rig completely, or trying to upgrade on what I currently have (built in 2020), and whilst I have built my last few PC's (including the one below). I am a little out of sync on what would be a good path to take on what is the latest and "best" in that sense. I came here last time and got some great advice, so was hoping someone(s) with more knowledge than me would be able to help me out.

Current Set up ;

Gigabyte X570 Aorus Ultra AMD X570 So.AM4 Dual Channel DDR ATX Retail
Ryzen 9 3900X 12 core
8GB Gigabyte Radeon RX 5700XT AORUS-8GD, GDDR6
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3
16GB (2x 8192MB) Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 + Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 32GB (2 x 16GB) (so 48Gigs in total)
1000GB WD Black SN750 Gaming M.2 2280
850 Watt Corsair TX-M Series TX850M Modular 80+ Gold


In terms of a new rig, I would be open to anything and would have about a €1500 budget I would like to stick to. For the upgrade, I am worried that my X570 is going to be an issue with updating to a better graphics card.

Side note in case it helps - I already have a 4k monitor and accessories that I would carry over.


Thank in advance for your time and responses!

/Sam

 

[mickyflinn]

Gaming wise a 5700x3d may be beneficial and a new gpu which there should be no problems swapping out a graphics and a bios update may be needed for the CPU.

4k gaming I would get a 4080 super and the 5700x3d , as a side note nvidiaare due to release there 5000 series GPU in 1st quarter of 2025 if rumours are correct.


My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Zotac GeForce RTX 4080 Super Trinity Black 16Gb Graphics Card (SKU: GRA-ZTC-01496) = £899.99
• 1 x NVIDIA - Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Game Bundle (SKU: DIG-NVI-03769) = £0.00
• 1 x AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D Eight Core 4.1GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: PRO-AMD-01799) = £209.99

Total: £1,117.97 (includes delivery: £7.99)​

 

[LankyBM]

Gaming wise a 5700x3d may be beneficial and a new gpu which there should be no problems swapping out a graphics and a bios update may be needed for the CPU.

4k gaming I would get a 4080 super and the 5700x3d , as a side note nvidiaare due to release there 5000 series GPU in 1st quarter of 2025 if rumours are correct.


My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Zotac GeForce RTX 4080 Super Trinity Black 16Gb Graphics Card (SKU: GRA-ZTC-01496) = £899.99
• 1 x NVIDIA - Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Game Bundle (SKU: DIG-NVI-03769) = £0.00
• 1 x AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D Eight Core 4.1GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: PRO-AMD-01799) = £209.99

Total: £1,117.97 (includes delivery: £7.99)​

Thank you for the quick reply!

If I can ask a potentially stupid question - I already have a Ryzen 9 - so wouldnt the Ryzen 7 be a downgrade? And the new GPU would work with the existing motherboard and cpu?

 

[mickyflinn]

Thank you for the quick reply!

If I can ask a potentially stupid question - I already have a Ryzen 9 - so wouldnt the Ryzen 7 be a downgrade? And the new GPU would work with the existing motherboard and cpu?

For gaming the 5700x3d 8 core) CPU has more L3 cache which games can take advantage of and it's a newer CPU being a 5000 series, so you get architectural increase in performance. Outside of gaming the 3900x will be faster for things like video encoding where more cores will be beneficial.

Day to day task no difference between them.

Your motherboard bios may need updating for the x3d CPU so need to check what version you motherboard has .


Yes the 4080 will work with your motherboard and power supply, the GPU comes with a 16 pin to 3x 8 pin pcie cable to work with older power supplys. The 850w Tx has 4 x 8 pin pcie connectors so your good to go.

 

[LankyBM]

For gaming the 5700x3d 8 core) CPU has more L3 cache which games can take advantage of and it's a newer CPU being a 5000 series, so you get architectural increase in performance. Outside of gaming the 3900x will be faster for things like video encoding where more cores will be beneficial.

Day to day task no difference between them.

Your motherboard bios may need updating for the x3d CPU so need to check what version you motherboard has .


Yes the 4080 will work with your motherboard and power supply, the GPU comes with a 16 pin to 3x 8 pin pcie cable to work with older power supplys. The 850w Tx has 4 x 8 pin pcie connectors so your good to go.

Is there any benefit to spending more on a "better" cpu than the 5700x3d? I was just looking at the Motherboard support page (to check on how to update the bios as you recommended), and it seems there are also other options listed above it

 

[Tetras]

Is there any benefit to spending more on a "better" cpu than the 5700x3d? I was just looking at the Motherboard support page (to check on how to update the bios as you recommended), and it seems there are also other options listed above it

If I can ask a potentially stupid question - I already have a Ryzen 9 - so wouldnt the Ryzen 7 be a downgrade? And the new GPU would work with the existing motherboard and cpu?

Can you clarify exactly how you use your PC? E.g. primary usage, secondary usage, apps used regularly.

 

[LankyBM]

Can you clarify exactly how you use your PC? E.g. primary usage, secondary usage, apps used regularly.

Primary use would be gaming (currently "still" playing Day-z, but I would like to be able to play newer titles coming out in the near future. Cyberpunk works relatively well, but not on High settings). Next would be casual things (Discord, Youtube, watching Sport etc...'). I do not Work (anymore) on my local, so that makes things a bit easier.

I would rather spend more and have a longer use time than save on money (to an extent of course) - I was a little disheartened to see the 4080 listed at €800 which sounds crazy (I think the most I have spent on a GPU in the past was about €400

 

[Tetras]

I would rather spend more and have a longer use time than save on money (to an extent of course) - I was a little disheartened to see the 4080 listed at €800 which sounds crazy (I think the most I have spent on a GPU in the past was about €400

You might want to wait for RDNA4, we're hoping it will be decent prices in the midrange and if you can have 7900 XT performance that would get you decent playability at 4K in the majority of games. That's the problem you have really, progress has not been great and a decent upgrade to your 5700 XT will be expensive right now. If the next generation of GPUs are going to improve price/performance much, or at all, we don't really know yet, but I'm hopeful about RDNA4.

This video may be of interest to know what to expect if you go for a 4070 Super / 7900 GRE class card (intended for 1440p) instead:

Next would be casual things (Discord, Youtube, watching Sport etc...'). I do not Work (anymore) on my local, so that makes things a bit easier.

In that case, you're unlikely to lose anything by switching to the 5700X3D, but it is true that for fully multithreaded workloads it is a downgrade. For gaming though, it is a really good CPU and competes even with the latest AMD 9000 and Intel Core Ultra CPUs.

 

[LankyBM]

You might want to wait for RDNA4, we're hoping it will be decent prices in the midrange and if you can have 7900 XT performance that would get you decent playability at 4K in the majority of games. That's the problem you have really, progress has not been great and a decent upgrade to your 5700 XT will be expensive right now. If the next generation of GPUs are going to improve price/performance much, or at all, we don't really know yet, but I'm hopeful about RDNA4.

This video may be of interest to know what to expect if you go for a 4070 Super / 7900 GRE class card (intended for 1440p) instead:

In that case, you're unlikely to lose anything by switching to the 5700X3D, but it is true that for fully multithreaded workloads it is a downgrade. For gaming though, it is a really good CPU and competes even with the latest AMD 9000 and Intel Core Ultra CPUs.

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate it. And going up to something like a RX 7900XT wouldnt be worth it (at approc €600 it seems) instead of the 4080?

Seems like I am a little stuck then really - as If spending 1k on the GPU and CPU, then I may as well get the MB and just make a new rig it seems.

​

 

[mickyflinn]

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate it. And going up to something like a RX 7900XT wouldnt be worth it (at approc €600 it seems) instead of the 4080?

Seems like I am a little stuck then really - as If spending 1k on the GPU and CPU, then I may as well get the MB and just make a new rig it seems.

​

It's all levels, especially the GPU which is the primary piece in gaming. There is plenty of life in your pc so the 2 recommendstions will give you the 4k gaming you require without changing platform.

Basically more money to put into a better GPU instead of rebuilding taking money away from the GPU.

If you want a £1500 pc we can spec you if you prefer

 

[LankyBM]

It's all levels, especially the GPU which is the primary piece in gaming. There is plenty of life in your pc so the 2 recommendstions will give you the 4k gaming you require without changing platform.

Basically more money to put into a better GPU instead of rebuilding taking money away from the GPU.

If you want a £1500 pc we can spec you if you prefer

That makes sense, thanks. So then a 4080 and looking for a 5700X3D seems to be the way! Now just need to sort out a BIOS update it seem (for sure need a new version, not been done since 2019 apparently)

 

[Tetras]

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate it. And going up to something like a RX 7900XT wouldnt be worth it (at approc €600 it seems) instead of the 4080?

I suggested a 7900 XT because that's really the minimum I'd want to be buying specifically for 4K gaming and since the price is around £600, you're not spending the best part of £1K.

The 7900 GRE featured in the video is slower than a XT, but not by a huge amount, so if you're comfortable with the kind of framerates in newer games that the 7900 XT gets then that's still a good upgrade on what you have (TPU's GPU database says the GRE is 121% faster, the XT 161% faster and the 4080 Super 200% faster). (FYI: by 121%, it means more than twice the speed)

Seems like I am a little stuck then really - as If spending 1k on the GPU and CPU, then I may as well get the MB and just make a new rig it seems.

Not really, as mickyflinn points out, you'd just be taking money away from the GPU if you invest in a new platform and a 4K-capable GPU will always be expensive whatever you do.

If you're comfortable waiting, I'd recommend coming back around March and seeing if RDNA 4 has delivered the improvement in price/performance we hope for, otherwise try to get a 4070 Super, 7900 GRE, 7900 XT (or similar) in a great deal on black friday.

 

[Craig_d1]

if you're really after 4k gaming I'd hold fire at the moment. You've waited so long, just wait a bit longer. the 5000 series are just round the corner. Once they launched, you'll either have the chance to pick one of those up or seeing as it's high end, problably find a lot of high end 4000 series being offered...I remember when the 4000 series launched, and a fair few 3090 came on...£600 for a 3090 strix comes to mind just after the 4090 got launched.....
HU also did a very good vid recently looking at 4k gaming , specifically between the 8700x3d and 7800x3d and the results were suprising..forget it doesn't matter so much at 4k, as you're basically gpu bottlenecked, the 9800x3d wiped the floor with the 7800x3d in some games...and to think the 9800x3d is 11% faster than the 7800x3d at 1080 on av, and the 7800x3d is 25% faster than the 5800x3d also....no ones really done a deep dive in the 4k performance, as they all look at the 1080...I was actually very suprised by the result...but if that's replicated down the stack, there's a good arguement to maybe( and i stress maybe) look at going am5. if youre goibng high end gpu, pair it accordingly...the 5800x3d was the GOAT, 5700x3d being slightly behind but better price/perf...but it's getting on a bit
in meantime, keep saving and in 3 month spend a bit more, get a 9800x3d/am5 setup with a 5080 and sit back and enjoy(or maybe a 2nd hand 4090 at current 4080 prices)

 

[Craig_d1]

vid to watch

actually was watching it late and he uses the 9800x3d vs a 7700x...he also uses upscaling, as this is how a lot of people play 4k, but the hogwarts results he singled out, because it's a new game showing how at 4k with upscaling the 9800x3d managed 154fps, 1% lows of 103, while the 7700x was 116fps with 68fpps 1% lows...as new games are more demanding , he states these sort of results will be more common in future

might need to watch end again..can't really remember...was 3am at the time


from 29:30 onwards he revisits 5800x3d with a 5800x and a 3950x cpu which might be more relevant to your choice..shame he didn't do the 9800x3d/7800x3d/5800x3d against each other

 

[LankyBM]

Hey all, quick update - So I went ahead and picked up the R7 5700x3d, and after some fun with the BIOS, all up and running now. So thank you all for the help, amazing as always!

I am now at the crossroads with the GPU, but there are some "good" deals out there on both the 7900 XT & 7900 GRE - and from what I can gather, the XT is the preferred choice out of the two, correct?

 

[Tetras]

I am now at the crossroads with the GPU, but there are some "good" deals out there on both the 7900 XT & 7900 GRE - and from what I can gather, the XT is the preferred choice out of the two, correct?

All comes down to the price, the XT is obviously better (faster, more VRAM, bigger bus), but it is not like... £200 better.

 

[LankyBM]

All comes down to the price, the XT is obviously better (faster, more VRAM, bigger bus), but it is not like... £200 better.

thanks,is what I think also - prices actually were not as good as I thought (my search landed on an 7800 XT which threw me a little), so need to keep on looking it seems!

 

[Tetras]

thanks,is what I think also - prices actually were not as good as I thought (my search landed on an 7800 XT which threw me a little), so need to keep on looking it seems!

Say.. if the GRE is £550 and the 7900 XT £630, I'd personally be prepared to pay that for 4K gaming (you're playing at 4K, right?).

TPU's review of the GRE had it (the XT) as 17% faster, so anything around that price I think is fair game.

 

[LankyBM]

Say.. if the GRE is £550 and the 7900 XT £630, I'd personally be prepared to pay that for 4K gaming (you're playing at 4K, right?).

TPU's review of the GRE had it (the XT) as 17% faster, so anything around that price I think is fair game.

yeah the price seems to be about €150 difference between the two - but starting already at €550 for the GRE version (im based out in Germany)

as another stupid question - woujld a 4070 at a similar price range be even better, right? Might have stumbled across one - Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC

 

[Tetras]

as another stupid question - woujld a 4070 at a similar price range be even better, right? Might have stumbled across one - Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC

In raster (i.e. no ray tracing) the 7900 GRE would easily beat a 4070, they're more similar to a 4070 Super.