Upgrade now or wait?

bioshockeruk

bioshockeruk

bioshockeruk

Associate
Joined
16 Aug 2012
Posts
333
Location
Norfolk
Hi all,

ok so basically, I have a small dilemma, do I upgrade now or wait?

My current specs;

CPU - Intel i7 4790k @ 4.5Ghz
GPU - PowerColor R9 390X 8GB
RAM - 32GB Corsair LPX DDR3
Asus Mobo (unsure of exact spec but a Z97 chipset), Custom Water Loop on CPU only, Seagate 850w PSU

Currently I use this machine for gaming across a variety of games, mostly latest AAA titles with some oddities thrown in there, and some occasional video rendering and streaming, with a monitor of 24" and a 60Hz refresh rate @ 1080p resolution. I run almost all games at High/Ultra with either max AA or close to it around 70fps or higher, which is fine for me.

This machine has served me well but I want to experiance something new, so I'm looking at either 120hz or higher in 1440p or maybe a solid 60fps in 4k. Also, maybe in the near future think about VR. So my question is, can anyone spec me something decent now? Or should I wait and see if the new Threadripper's are really something to buy! I havn't really though of a budget, but not including case or cooling I would say around the £2000 to £2500, if that's even possible?

Anyways, enough rambling, and cannot wait to hear some responses...
 
I'm thinking something like this as a build if I was to buy now, maybe someone with more experience can chip in here...


My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,949.48
(includes shipping: £0.00)



​
 
There is always something new around the corner - but in this case i'd definitely say wait.

I have a 4790k and a MSI 1080 Gaming X, plays everything i throw at it with my Dell 27" 1440p 144hz monitor (I also have a HTC Vive). I really don't think you've got any issues with your current setup considering you use it mostly for games, the CPU isn't going to bottleneck a 1080Ti.

I think you'd be better off upgrading / picking up some other parts, then when threadripper appears do the rest. If it were me...

I'd get the following things now;
  • 1080Ti
  • 27" 1440p 144hz monitor or Ultra Wide high hz monitor (some higher res ones OC to 100hz)
  • HTC Vive
You'll get an instant benefit from the GPU, a visual benefit from from the monitor and the added fun of VR right now.

Then wait, see if you actually want threadripper... Like you, i'm tempted but i'm struggling to see what benefit i'd actually experience with it. The nerd inside me wants the "new shiney" and experience of building it - the sensible chap inside me knows i'll see no real benefit for my uses and be sat thinking "Well i've spent X and in reality, no different for my uses?"

I'll probably get threadripper once its been out a while and some second hand bits come up at a decent price..... Maybe...
 
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There is no point in moving from a 4790k @4.5Ghz to a 7700k. You will be getting a minimal performance gain in exchange for a massive cash outlay. You will see a bigger gain by upgrading the gpu. To have any chance of hitting your targeted fps at 4k you are looking at a 1080ti and even then I don't think that it will hit a steady 60fps with all the settings turned up. Monitor wise 2560x1440 @ 144hz is the sweet spot at the moment and would be the res I would choose.
 
I have both a 4790k machine and also a new Ryzen 1700 machine that I have recently built, and if your primary use for the machine is gaming I would say the upgrade is probably not worth it. Not yet anyway.

Maybe this will change once games and apps start adding optimisations for Ryzen.

E.g. GTA 5 performs a lot better with the 4790k than it does with the Ryzen 1700 from my experience, online benchmarks also display the same results, but this may change if Rockstar start adding optimisations for Ryzen.
 
Wait. If you have money to burn spend it on the audio side, maybe a AVR and a good set of 5.1 speakers. That'll improve gaming a lot, if you're just using crap PC speakers. Or using the PC buzzer for audio lol beep beep
 
hornetstinger said:
Wait. If you have money to burn spend it on the audio side, maybe a AVR and a good set of 5.1 speakers. That'll improve gaming a lot, if you're just using crap PC speakers. Or using the PC buzzer for audio lol beep beep
Click to expand...
Or if not having space (or needing to keep quiet) proper quality headphones and sound card with good binaural-simulation.
Any investment put into audio side has full usage value five years from now.
Something which can't be said from even the most expensive GPUs etc.
 
Ok so it seems the general consensus is that I plow some dosh into a 1080ti, nice new monitor, and VR. I'll probably pickup 1080ti and monitor first, any suggestions on monitor, curved or flat, 120hz vs 144hz, ultra wide or not?

Also, in terms of audio, I'm fairly content with my current 5.1 speaker setup, and I also have a very good surround sound headphones and decent studio condenser mic with shield running through a scarllet interface. Still using onboard sound though, maybe a suggestion on a card? are they really any better?
 
bioshockeruk said:
Ok so it seems the general consensus is that I plow some dosh into a 1080ti, nice new monitor, and VR. I'll probably pickup 1080ti and monitor first, any suggestions on monitor, curved or flat, 120hz vs 144hz, ultra wide or not?

Also, in terms of audio, I'm fairly content with my current 5.1 speaker setup, and I also have a very good surround sound headphones and decent studio condenser mic with shield running through a scarllet interface. Still using onboard sound though, maybe a suggestion on a card? are they really any better?
Click to expand...

What is your 5.1 speaker setup
 
hornetstinger said:
These

https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/home-cinema/best-home-cinema-amplifiers

Then you need five passive speakers, and a active subwoofer. Something like a Yamaha 300-600 series AVR, with Q Acoustics 5.0 2xxx series speakers, and a BK XLS200 would be a huge upgrade over your Logitechs.

Cost a bit, but seems you have money to burn.
Click to expand...


They do look very interesting and I'm starting to salivate! I wouldn't say I have money to 'burn', but I'm just careful with money and I work hard for it and don't have many hobbies, so my PC is where money gets spent after my daughter of course. And I recently had an upturn in career so am kind of treating myself ;)
 
bioshockeruk said:
They do look very interesting and I'm starting to salivate! I wouldn't say I have money to 'burn', but I'm just careful with money and I work hard for it and don't have many hobbies, so my PC is where money gets spent after my daughter of course. And I recently had an upturn in career so am kind of treating myself ;)
Click to expand...

Depends on your budget, you can get bargains- it's fine buying second hand speakers. I'm using a Yamaha 600 series (about £350) and Celestion A1 (about £1000, paid £130) that's the PC audio system, not the main Hi-Fi or Audio/AV system. You can spend from £150 AVR, to £2500 AVR, to lots more on pre-power £2500 on a av pre, to £10,000 on poweramps, speakers from £100 to £100,000, subwoofers from £100 to £10,000

I would say something like Q Acoustics 2020 with a £300 AVR is the sweet spot.

Having a AVR will allow you to connect multiple devices into it, act as a HDMI switcher (audio & video) plus 2 channel audio devices as well, such as tape deck, MD, CD player, media streamer, consoles etc.
 
hornetstinger said:
Depends on your budget, you can get bargains- it's fine buying second hand speakers. I'm using a Yamaha 600 series (about £350) and Celestion A1 (about £1000, paid £130) that's the PC audio system, not the main Hi-Fi or Audio/AV system. You can spend from £150 AVR, to £2500 AVR, to lots more on pre-power £2500 on a av pre, to £10,000 on poweramps, speakers from £100 to £100,000, subwoofers from £100 to £10,000

I would say something like Q Acoustics 2020 with a £300 AVR is the sweet spot.

Having a AVR will allow you to connect multiple devices into it, act as a HDMI switcher (audio & video) plus 2 channel audio devices as well, such as tape deck, MD, CD player, media streamer, consoles etc.
Click to expand...

Ok, so as I'm looking at buying the GTX 1080ti alongside a nice new monitor, I'd say around £1500 I could spare on improving my audio setup. What could I get for this?
 
Not sure I can link so better not but

Yamaha RX-A860 Aventage
DALI ZENSOR 1 (5.1)

You can get that for £1500. That's a good setup, very good for a PC audio rig. In fact, I'd say it's too good, I would probably get a 34" Ultra Wide IPS and then have a full on gaming + home theatre PC, because with a audio system like that, using a piddly little monitor won't get full movie experience.

You'll get this for £850
Yamaha RX-V581
Q Acoustics 3000 Cinema 5.1 speakers

Unless you're really into audio, and setup a kick ass home theatre PC, where that is primary movie watching, I'd go for the £850 setup. But I'd ditch the Q Acoustics sub and get something else, like a 10" or 12" subwoofer.
 
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