Upgrade Advice

baltazar · 28 Nov 2018 at 13:51

Hey guys, I've had my current PC for about 2/3 years now and wanted to start thinking about upgrading. Im not really sure what to start with, but I am pretty sure I will need too:

- Buy another SSD (probably a 256gb)
- Upgrade my Graphics Card
- Upgrade my CPU
- Motherboard?

My current build is:
- Intel Core i5-6600K CPU @3.50 GHZ
- 16GB RAM
- Nvidia Geforce GTX 970
- ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER
- SAMSUNG SSD 500GB
- 1TB Toshiba HDD
- Monitor: ACER GN246HLBbid

If anyone has any suggestions on what to upgrade that would be great.

Best,
K

orbitalwalsh · 28 Nov 2018 at 13:53

whats your monitor res and hz ?

baltazar · 28 Nov 2018 at 14:02

It's a ACER GN246HLBbid.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IG0Z0HY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Im considering upgrading it (as I design as a day job) and could use a 27/28 inch monitor, so a recommendation would be nice there too.

Thanks!

orbitalwalsh · 28 Nov 2018 at 14:23

double up GPU power and 32" 1440P 144hz Freesnc screen.

VA panel over current TN to show colours better, higher contrast ratio. 110%sRGB vs current 99% and for adobe RGB its 78% vs current 79%

moving to 1440p will allow CPU some breathing space and overclock should held it not hinder and FPS lose.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Hannspree HG324QJB 32" 2560x1440 VA 144Hz FREESYNC Curved Widescreen Gaming Monitor= £349.99
1 x Gigabyte Radeon RX VEGA 56 Gaming OC 8GB HBM2 PCI-Express Graphics Card= £338.99

Total: £700.68 (includes shipping: £11.70)

baltazar · 28 Nov 2018 at 20:24

Any reason why that card in particular over an Nvidia card?
And Ideally I wouldnt want to really go over 28inch (i sit fairly close to my monitor) but thank you for the recommendations!

gogoyippy · 28 Nov 2018 at 21:22

Is there anything else you would particularly like to do with the upgrade e.g. thinking about higher res, playing a particular game at 144hz or?
I think you got a pretty solid set up. I would say out of the four options, it would be in this priority:

- GPU upgrade
- Another SSD
- Motherboard
- CPU (I suggest this last only because you would have to change your motherboard first to get one of the newer CPUs and honestly your CPU is fine)

However, in terms of which GPU and SSD, it will depend on budget and what your use case. I would also suggest a monitor upgrade as well, especially since you are involved in design. Let us know your budget and any sort of "must haves" spec wise etc. so we can help narrow it down!

orbitalwalsh · 28 Nov 2018 at 22:42

baltazar said:
Any reason why that card in particular over an Nvidia card?
And Ideally I wouldnt want to really go over 28inch (i sit fairly close to my monitor) but thank you for the recommendations!

Cheaper , handle near enough to the same as £400-500 card at higher resolutions and more Freesync screens have HDR and Freesync screens a LOT cheaper .
Plus 3 free games which cd keys can be sold