Upgrade Guidance - Windows 11 Ready - Second Hand

[dlockers]

Edit: reigniting this as I am thinking of doing a fresh install of Windows; and whilst I know tricks are available to upgrade my 4790k to Win11, I don't want future hassle.

Can anyone tell me what setup I could aim for second hand re-using my GPU?

--------------

Hi folks,

Any sense in upgrading bits of this? I am upgrading to a 34" Alienware monitor and predicting some issues. I mainly play CS2, but also play Battlefield very occasional (not for about 9 months tho lol).

Anything that may make a noticeable impact?

Core i7 4790k @ 4Ghz
MSI Gaming 7 Motherboard
32GB RAM - can't seem to find the receipt as to what this is
AMD RX 5700 XT 8GB (but it is a 5700 flashed to XT)


I hadn't realised quite how old the CPU is (2015!!). Perhaps I am due a full refresh...

 

[ED209]

Hi folks,

Any sense in upgrading bits of this? I am upgrading to a 34" Alienware monitor and predicting some issues. I mainly play CS2, but also play Battlefield very occasional (not for about 9 months tho lol).

Anything that may make a noticeable impact?

Core i7 4790k @ 4Ghz
MSI Gaming 7 Motherboard
32GB RAM - can't seem to find the receipt as to what this is
AMD RX 5700 XT 8GB (but it is a 5700 flashed to XT)


I hadn't realised quite how old the CPU is (2015!!). Perhaps I am due a full refresh...

Do you have a budget in mind and I assume the monitor is 4K?

A full refresh would most likely be the better option but I would suggest waiting for the ne AMD processors at the end of the month that are due out.

Do you have a budget in mind?

How old is the PSU?

 

[Tetras]

5700 XT looks like it does alright at 1440p & 4K, though ofc it would depend what framerate is acceptable to you:

Counter-Strike 2 Performance Benchmark Review - 40 GPUs Tested

Counter-Strike 2 is available now, with improved graphics powered by Valve's Source 2 engine. All the maps have received overhauls, which gives them a much more realistic look, without breaking the classic CS Experience. In our performance review, we're taking a closer look at image quality...

www.techpowerup.com

These are outdated tests, but suggests your CPU is also likely to be fine if the Ryzen 2600 can maintain an average of 200 fps (since the 4790K has a similar single thread and I don't think CS2 uses 6 cores?):

[Outdated - New Tests] Counter-Strike 2 CPU Benchmarks: E-Core Challenges & X3D Benefits

Sponsor: Thermal Grizzly Kryosheets https://geni.us/53ArNb and Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut Paste (Amazon - https://geni.us/Fsray )NEW BENCHMARKS! Find more tes...

www.youtube.com

 

[dlockers]

Do you have a budget in mind and I assume the monitor is 4K?

A full refresh would most likely be the better option but I would suggest waiting for the ne AMD processors at the end of the month that are due out.

Do you have a budget in mind?

How old is the PSU?

No budget - only if it is really worth it. I'll keep close to the AMD news; I first had an AMD Athlon 1600 and upgraded to a 3000+ so excited to go back to Team AMD.

5700 XT looks like it does alright at 1440p & 4K, though ofc it would depend what framerate is acceptable to you:

Counter-Strike 2 Performance Benchmark Review - 40 GPUs Tested

Counter-Strike 2 is available now, with improved graphics powered by Valve's Source 2 engine. All the maps have received overhauls, which gives them a much more realistic look, without breaking the classic CS Experience. In our performance review, we're taking a closer look at image quality...

www.techpowerup.com

These are outdated tests, but suggests your CPU is also likely to be fine if the Ryzen 2600 can maintain an average of 200 fps (since the 4790K has a similar single thread and I don't think CS2 uses 6 cores?):

[Outdated - New Tests] Counter-Strike 2 CPU Benchmarks: E-Core Challenges & X3D Benefits

Sponsor: Thermal Grizzly Kryosheets https://geni.us/53ArNb and Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut Paste (Amazon - https://geni.us/Fsray )NEW BENCHMARKS! Find more tes...

www.youtube.com

I wonder what a 5700 flashed to XT is; I think I am few cores down or something! CS:2 is such a light game. Guess I could stay put and be fine

 

[ED209]

Everyone is going to be suggesting an AMD system like the 7800X3D at the moment due to the issues with 13th and 14th gen Intel processors that Intel seem to be keeping quite about so without knowing what exactly the issues are and what they plan to do about it going Intel could be a big issue and then you have to think of the resell value of this as well as no one would touch these by then as they will be out of warranty.

What refresh rate is the new monitor and res? What would you like to see\expect from the new system?

You could always try your current setup with the new monitor and then go from there

 

[dlockers]

You could always try your current setup with the new monitor and then go from there

I think that may be the plan. I predicted an issue but knew the CS2 game is a bit low tax. I am just surprised I bought this bad boy in 2015 and it is still going really strong.

The 2015 upgrade was following the i7 920 which was 2009. I thought that was good innings!

 

[Tetras]

I wonder what a 5700 flashed to XT is; I think I am few cores down or something! CS:2 is such a light game. Guess I could stay put and be fine

It would be pretty close to those results, so I think it is doable with your new monitor.

I don't know about CS2 specifically, but I suspect if you did a meaningful upgrade of either component then you'd run into some major bottlenecking with the other one, so you'd have to be REALLY pushing the GPU @ 4K/max settings, for example, for me to say "go GPU!" and know that it'll help out.

The 5700 XT is roughly equivalent to a 6600, so on the AMD side you're looking at a 6750 XT (around £300) or 6800 non-XT (around £370) as a minimum really, but ideally something more like a 7900 GRE to make big gains and push forward your capability at high res gaming for the next 4-5+ years.

CPU, I'd say a minimum of a 7500F/7600 or a 12600K (not 13th/14th gen), but in older games and many newer ones, your 4790K will be holding on fine:

Gaming with the i7 4790 in 2023.

If you wanted top tier performance in 2014 but didn't want to overclock or spend extra on the "K" version, then the standard 4790 would have been perfect for...

www.youtube.com

 

[dlockers]

It would be pretty close to those results, so I think it is doable with your new monitor.

I don't know about CS2 specifically, but I suspect if you did a meaningful upgrade of either component then you'd run into some major bottlenecking with the other one, so you'd have to be REALLY pushing the GPU @ 4K/max settings, for example, for me to say "go GPU!" and know that it'll help out.

The 5700 XT is roughly equivalent to a 6600, so on the AMD side you're looking at a 6750 XT (around £300) or 6800 non-XT (around £370) as a minimum really, but ideally something more like a 7900 GRE to make big gains and push forward your capability at high res gaming for the next 4-5+ years.

CPU, I'd say a minimum of a 7500F/7600 or a 12600K (not 13th/14th gen), but in older games and many newer ones, your 4790K will be holding on fine:

Gaming with the i7 4790 in 2023.

If you wanted top tier performance in 2014 but didn't want to overclock or spend extra on the "K" version, then the standard 4790 would have been perfect for...

www.youtube.com

GPU was bought from OCUK in late 2019/early 2020 for just £260. Sounds like I hold fire until there is a game that really needs attention. Thank you!

 

[ED209]

I think that may be the plan. I predicted an issue but knew the CS2 game is a bit low tax. I am just surprised I bought this bad boy in 2015 and it is still going really strong.

The 2015 upgrade was following the i7 920 which was 2009. I thought that was good innings!

I used to have the I7 920 which was replaced in 2019 with an I7 9700K (still going strong now and will become a plex server in a few months).

Time does go quickly, I looked the other day and I have had my 4070 Ti over a year already (bought May 2023)

 

[dlockers]

I used to have the I7 920 which was replaced in 2019 with an I7 9700K (still going strong now and will become a plex server in a few months).

Time does go quickly, I looked the other day and I have had my 4070 Ti over a year already (bought May 2023)

It is frightening how quick the time goes by! And lol@ Plex server. My i7 920 is still waiting to be turned into a Plex server, and it has been 15 years now . Ended up with a cheapy HP slimline desktop.

I think you guys are safely saying I can clear out my old tech cupboard, too.

 

[ED209]

It is frightening how quick the time goes by! And lol@ Plex server. My i7 920 is still waiting to be turned into a Plex server, and it has been 15 years now . Ended up with a cheapy HP slimline desktop.

I think you guys are safely saying I can clear out my old tech cupboard, too.

I still have the I7 920\mobo and ram. its sitting in the motherboard box my current system came in.

I never got rid of it as I was getting random BSOD and could not narrow it down so in the end replaced it all

 

[dlockers]

Bumping this as I think I am keen to explore an upgrade to a Win11 compatible system - ideally second hand.

 

[Armageus]

Bumping this as I think I am keen to explore an upgrade to a Win11 compatible system - ideally second hand.

Best option if looking for second hand is probably to look for an AM4 bundle then (CPU/Motherboard/RAM) or maybe an early 12th gen Intel bundle.

The issue unfortunately is that since the 4790K is clocked so high it actually still has reasonably strong single thread performance, so in terms of second hand kit you'd need at least a Ryzen 3xxx series for a similar level.

 

[dlockers]

Best option if looking for second hand is probably to look for an AM4 bundle then (CPU/Motherboard/RAM) or maybe an early 12th gen Intel bundle.

The issue unfortunately is that since the 4790K is clocked so high it actually still has reasonably strong single thread performance, so in terms of second hand kit you'd need at least a Ryzen 3xxx series for a similar level.

Thanks - is there a CPU model you can throw in the mix I can use as a baseline for comparison? I don't mind spending the cash for a higher end - I am probably going to be scouring the MM.

I really haven't paid attention for 9 years -- and I haven't had an AMD since the Phenom II!

 

[Armageus]

5600X/5700X/5800X/5700X3D/5800X3D are all great choices (although 5600X only has 6 cores). 5800X3D is still a very competitive gaming chip even against the latest Intel and AMD AM5 chips

The older 3600X/3700X/3800X would also be a bit of an upgrade (slightly higher single core performance than your 4790K but with 6 or 8 cores)

A cheap Ryzen 1xxx/2xxx series bundle also shouldn't necessarily be discounted as most motherboards will accept a 5xxx series chip (that can still be bought new) with a bios upgrade.

Intel i7-4790K vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 5 3600X vs i7-10700 vs i5-12600 [cpubenchmark.net] by PassMark Software