Upgrade Help - need new Motherboard and CPU for gaming rig

BillyBoy26

BillyBoy26

BillyBoy26

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Joined
23 Dec 2016
Posts
18
Dear all,

I purchased the following from OCUK in December 2016 -

GTX 1060 GT OC Single Fan 6144MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (HX316C10FBK2/16)

The performance had markedly improved and I could run the newer games which I previously couldn't (Battlefield 1 etc) but I still have to tone down the settings to achieve an acceptable frame-rate during MP.

However, I think it's time that I stop being so lazy and upgrade my Motherboard and CPU. I currently have the following:

i5 2500K @3.30 GHz
Motherboard - Gigabyte, Z77-D3H
24GB RAM
GTX 1060 6GB

I honestly have no idea of what MB and CPU to get, other than it needing to be compatible with the current graphics card and RAM installed - although I've no idea how to check this. I'm not sure what other details you would need - budget isn't an issue for me, ideally, I would want the highest spec CPU - the cost isn't an issue.

Would you be so kind as to offer some suggestions of what is compatible with what? Or to point me in the right direction?

Many thanks!
 
Hi all,

With that in mind re: DDR4 RAM, would you be able to suggest a motherboard that's compatible with a new CPU/DDR4 RAM and my current graphics card?

Or is there a some sort of tool that can compare each of these components and show what works with what so to speak?

Thanks!
 
The main question would be what resolution you game at? Generally, 1080p is CPU bound whilst the the higher you go, the GPU takes more of the load and becomes the limiting factor.

The 1060 is good for 1080p and will handle 1440p for most titles although in certain cases with some dialing down of options.

For gaming purposes the Ryzen 1600 is probably the most vfm. There is a bundle on OCUK for about £278 with an Asus Strix MB.

You can get a cheaper MB but I think that deal is approximately the same as a 1600 paired with a cheaper £100 board so looks better value and many people recommend the Strix because it offers better RAM comparability.

On the RAM front, most will recommend an 8 Pack set for about £190 to get the 3200Mhz Ryzen likes. You could take a cheaper 3000Mhz set for about £30-£40 less (15%-20%) and probably not notice the slightly lower (3%-5%) performance
 
Hi both,

Thank you for your replies.

@Noughtboy - I wouldn't mind either at 1080p/1440p, whatever my hardware could handle. I've never used AMD before, is there any difference between the Ryzen 1600 and its equivalent Intel counterpart? I wouldn't mind shelling more on a top of the range CPU but I understand the MB would need to be compatible with my GFX card and that would also limit the CPU choice too. That deal sounds great to me - I'd probably pursue that then, provided the CPU is all good (I'll check out some reviews to familiarize myself with it) as I've never used AMD before. I'd grab the 3200 MHz set so it runs in harmony with the CPU. Is there any other details I would need to provide for this setup? Would I need a new PSU? I don't even know how to check what I have currently - I don't think CPU-Z checks for that.

@Quartz - I've no idea how to OC a CPU and would be worried I'd ruin it. Also, I didn't realise I had the inferior DDR3 RAM so would want to upgrade that also but seems my MB won't be compatible with this.

BW
Billy
 
Your RAM isn't "inferior" per se. It is older but performance wise, not day and night. It is more a compatibility issue.

Motherboard and CPU brand have no impact on GPU selection. Both Nvidia and AMD GPU's work with Intel and AMD CPU's so don't let that worry you.

The closest Intel equivalent to Ryzen 1600 (6C/12T) is the new Coffelake i5 8400 (6C/6T).

The Intel is faster generally in games (not all though). But the Ryzen has more cores so Will help in general or "productivity" tasks where you are running numerous browser tabs, listening to music, rendering and editing at the same time. It will also offer more upgrades or longevity for the next 3 or 4 years.

However, i5 8400 is currently hard to find owing to a paper launch and more expensive by about 17% (£210 verses about £180) excluding the more expensive motherboards. If this is going to be gaming exclusive and you are prepared to wait for 3 or 4 months for stock stabilisation and cheaper motherboards, look to Intel.

8400 not overclockable, Ryzen is. If you don't want to overclock, you can look to buy the "pre overclocked" Ryzen 1600x which is a similar price to the 8400.

As for your PSU, can't answer as I don't know what you have. In a different thread, I said they would need a 550w unit to overclock. A 450w to 500 w should suffice if not.

Easy way to check. Open up the side panel. Two screws (won't even need a screw driver). Get a torch and read what your PSU is and model number and post here.
 
If you don't want to overclock you can also take Intel 8400 cpu + cheapest motherboard. They have similar capabilities, so it's all up to looks, size, number of connections etc., depending on what you need. All will be fine for your graphic card and compatible with previously recommended memory.

Regarding power supply you can have a look at the label. But if it was running so far it should be ok with latest tech.

Both options would be ok AMD or Intel. If you have monitor with high refresh rate Intel would be better. If you have 60hz they will be the same. AMD motherboard will live for couple more years and new generations of cpus but you might not need to upgrade cpu for many years, so there are pros and cons.
 
Oh, one other point. If you get the 1600x, you will need to buy a cooler for it so figure on another £30+ which is why the 1600 is more popular. You can reach 1600x speeds with a little reading and tweaking yourself.

Most MB have an automatic clock setting in BIOS. They are not perfect as they will likely use too many volts (extra heat and electricity) but is quick and easy. You can achieve the same or better result manually. Not too difficult and unlikely to kill anything if you are methodical. Probably 1 or 2 hours of your time and a valuable skill set to have.
 
Noughtboy said:
The main question would be what resolution you game at? Generally, 1080p is CPU bound whilst the the higher you go, the GPU takes more of the load and becomes the limiting factor.

The 1060 is good for 1080p and will handle 1440p for most titles although in certain cases with some dialing down of options.

For gaming purposes the Ryzen 1600 is probably the most vfm. There is a bundle on OCUK for about £278 with an Asus Strix MB.

You can get a cheaper MB but I think that deal is approximately the same as a 1600 paired with a cheaper £100 board so looks better value and many people recommend the Strix because it offers better RAM comparability.

On the RAM front, most will recommend an 8 Pack set for about £190 to get the 3200Mhz Ryzen likes. You could take a cheaper 3000Mhz set for about £30-£40 less (15%-20%) and probably not notice the slightly lower (3%-5%) performance
Click to expand...

Where is that bundle please? - IGNORE ME found it
 
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Hi all,

Thanks for your replies! It's much appreciated.

My PSU is ZS Series 650W - I have more details but not sure if required. I'm looking to grab the Ryzen 1600 with the MB that Noughtboy had suggested along with the 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM. I'll post some links from OCUK store of what I come across before I go ahead an purchase.

Thanks again all!
 
That is an OCZ PSU and should be fine.

Remember, you don't "need" the 3200 Ram if money is a factor. You can always get 3000 for 20% cheaper and sacrifice 3%-5% performance. Not recommending one way or the other just reminding you.

Good luck.
 
Hi all,

So I'm thinking of getting:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/amd-...hz-socket-am4-processor-retail-cp-39y-am.html

Do you have any idea of which cooler would be best with this CPU?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...ocket-am4-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-69w-as.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/king...d-channel-kit-hx424c15fb2k4-32-my-214-ks.html

What'd you all think of this collection along with my GFX card listed in my first post and PSU?

If I'm missing a seemingly obvious and glaring way to save money - please do let me know! :)

Thanks again all,

BW,
Billy
 
BillyBoy26 said:
Hi all,

So I'm thinking of getting:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/amd-...hz-socket-am4-processor-retail-cp-39y-am.html

Do you have any idea of which cooler would be best with this CPU?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...ocket-am4-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-69w-as.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/king...d-channel-kit-hx424c15fb2k4-32-my-214-ks.html

What'd you all think of this collection along with my GFX card listed in my first post and PSU?

If I'm missing a seemingly obvious and glaring way to save money - please do let me know! :)

Thanks again all,

BW,
Billy
Click to expand...
32GB RAM is probably overkill. 16GB makes more sense, like the kit below:


My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £188.69
(includes shipping: £8.70)





I'd also recommend just getting the Ryzen 1600 and overclocking it. The stock cooler it comes with is okay for mild overclocks.



If the i5-8400 was in stock I would recommend that over all this though (for gaming).​
 
Last edited:
Those look lovely Southernorth - thank you. I'll probably grab them as I imagine it does make sense to leave some slots free for additional RAM - the specs/reviews are great too.

I'll see if anyone else replies to this thread with their thoughts on my potential setup - but a few others have also suggested the Ryzen 1600, I'll take a look into OC'ing as my biggest worry is that I might make it all go pear shaped. In the event I was to go down the 1600x route - as the product itself doesn't come with a cooler, do you know what would roughly suffice from OCUK?

BW
Billy
 
Hi all!

I forgot to mention earlier - with the new MB/CPU, I was planning on using my old HDD (Windows 10 Professional - purchased from third party source). I was naive enough to think I could plug and play so to speak with the HDD. Not to mention that my current build is Intel and the new one would be AMD.

Is this the case? Or would I need to install a fresh copy of Windows 10 again?

If I have to do a fresh, reinstall of Windows 10 - I have two questions. How do I back up my current HDD? How do I use this back up of the old HDD, to replace all my files after my old HDD has been reinstalled with a new copy of W10?

Many thanks again for your assistance.

BW
Billy
 
I wouldn't go for a 1600x but a 1600 instead which comes with the very capable Wraith cooler. Overclocking the 1600 to 1600x speeds is easy enough and we have a huge thread on Ryzen in the cpu section where there is loads of good information. I also wouldn't go for a overpriced X370 motherboard which only really gives you SLI as a extra. A B350 board makes a lot more sense to me. This cpu/motherboard bundle is very good value and all you need to add is memory.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £287.83
(includes shipping: £9.90)



​

You keep talking about HDD's so does this mean that you haven't got a SSD? If that is the case then use the money saved by going with the above bundle and get yourself a 240Gb or more SSD. You will not regret it.
 
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