Upgrading for Gaming and 3D modelling PC

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 16:03

Hi all. First time posting in this forum

I am looking for some advice on what I should buy when upgrading my PC so it can game but also render my 3D projects.
Current Specs:
i5 4690k 3.5 GHz oc to 4.2GHz 6MB cache LGA1150
Gigabyte Z97P-D3 LGA 1150 Z97 ATX
Noctua NH-D14 Fan
GTX 1070 8GB
16GB DDR3 1600MHz
128GB SSD Samsung 850 pro
500GB SSD Samsung 850 EVO
1TB HDD 7200rpm
2TB HDD 7200rpm
Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt 80 Plus Bronze

I think I would like to upgrade my CPU and therefore I assume I would have to upgrade the Motherboard, RAM and maybe PSU.

Preferably something with more than 4 cores?

My Budget is around £600.

Any advice is welcome

Distracted · 18 Oct 2018 at 16:10

Can you say what software you use for rendering to help people spec something for you?

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 16:36

Ah yes sorry.

I am mainly using ZBrush for modelling, Mari for Texturing and Maya for Modelling and Rendering

Journey · 18 Oct 2018 at 16:50

Ryzen 2700X, 16GB DDR4 3000MHz RAM, and any X470 motherboard that you like which has the features you require. Should be about £550, unless you are going to heavily overclock the CPU (which you can't really anyhow) then the PSU should be more than adequate.

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:04

Thank You, although I am slightly hesitant to use AMD CPUs over Intel.
Are AMD CPUs definitely the way to go or is there an Intel option?
Would my existing Noctua Cooler work with that AMD CPU?

Journey · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:08

Thomas Rodda said:
Thank You, although I am slightly hesitant to use AMD CPUs over Intel. - Why?
Are AMD CPUs definitely the way to go or is there an Intel option? - Intel 9900K same 8 cores and 16 threads, CPU only OEM £599 (AMD <£300)
Would my existing Noctua Cooler work with that AMD CPU?- You might need to buy an adapter from Noctua for between 5-10 GBP.

Distracted · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:09

Contact noctua for a bracket if there isn't one in your cooler box. I've read that they are good about sending them out for free. If not they can be bought.

Ryzen is a solid option, intel right now is very overpriced.

Orange · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:10

Thomas Rodda said:
Thank You, although I am slightly hesitant to use AMD CPUs over Intel.
Are AMD CPUs definitely the way to go or is there an Intel option?
Would my existing Noctua Cooler work with that AMD CPU?

I think quite a few people are hesitant, especially with the memory timings to get right.

lee32uk · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:17

Orange said:
I think quite a few people are hesitant, especially with the memory timings to get right.

Ram support is way better now than it was at launch on Ryzen. Of course there are also Samsung B die kits if you want to spend a bit more.

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:22

Thank you to both of you

As for why i'm hesitant with AMD products: I feel a bit safer in intel's ecosystem as they have a much larger market share and I heard that running a AMD CPU with Nvidia GPU hinders performance or something? However if both of you are recommending AMD then that's what i'll go for

This is the motherboard that is recommended
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GIGABYTE-A..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=G84351ME29ZR0NQ1P5SG

And is there any difference between these sticks of RAM?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CM..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=G84351ME29ZR0NQ1P5SG
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMK16GX4M2D3000C16W-Vengeance-Performance-Desktop/dp/B07B4G525F/ref=sr_1_15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1539873500&sr=1-15&keywords=ram+16gb&refinements=p_n_style_browse-bin:11416345031

Any better suggestions on places to buy or MB choices?

Thanks again for your help

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:29

Oh god now I'm more confused

Whats a B die kit??

Journey · 18 Oct 2018 at 17:52

Thomas Rodda said:
Oh god now I'm more confused
Whats a B die kit??

Different memory modules have different IC chips on them, if you plan on overclocking (past 3000MHz) or want the to tighten the memory timings as much as possible, modules using Samsung B-die kits is a better option, but not essential. Anything around 2933MHz/3000Mhz isn't much of an issue with Ryzen these days, so don't panic too much over it all.

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:09

Oh ok thank you, so would the RAM options I posted above work?

Journey · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:13

Thomas Rodda said:
Oh ok thank you, so would the RAM options I posted above work?

Yeah, I used a kit of that black LPX about 2 weeks ago on a 2600X build, was in an MSI board though, went to 3066MHz, at C14 with a bit extra voltage (1.4v), and worked at DOCP 2933Mhz with no fiddling.

I'd remove the competitor link, before you get a forum ban on day one

Thomas Rodda · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:14

Oh I didn't realise sorry

Kurgen · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:16

I'm on phone. Cant anyone post the amd bundles up with free ssd

Journey · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:27

Kurgen said:
I'm on phone. Cant anyone post the amd bundles up with free ssd

We could, but the SSD is not free and the motherboard is pants tbh.

Kurgen · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:29

How is it not free. Have they offset the components to compensate... To make it look free

Distracted · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:29

Kurgen said:
I'm on phone. Cant anyone post the amd bundles up with free ssd

Fluctuating prices mean the SSD is rarely free in those bundles compared to buying each component individually.

Journey · 18 Oct 2018 at 18:37

Kurgen said:
How is it not free. Have they offset the components to compensate... To make it look free

2700X - £299
16GB Team Group 3000MHz - £119
Asus X370 Strix Gaming F - £158

Total cost = £576, add it as a bundle an it's £617, so £41 more than the individual components, and the motherboard is overpriced by about £30.