[Decision Making] Upgrade or not?

[Gabby]

I bought this PC in April 2013, on my birthday.
I don't really think it's bad, slow or anything, just thinking if I should upgrade?
Not spending alot though; preferably about 700$ maximum? -- Computer parts where I live is way more expensive, when suggesting something think about it as 1.5x more pricey than Amazon.

I have provided a poll, please vote to help me decide.. Also if you decide to vote for Yes, please give me upgrade suggestions, it will be very much appreciated.

https://gyazo.com/b9fb85abc5bcc37908981d74223f6374

 

[Mhtro]

The PC is very powerful and should support some of the latest AA titles.
If you are looking something to upgrade buy a GPU from the screenshot you gave us seems like you don't have any GPU and you use your CPU interrogated Graphics, a GPU will increase your PC performance dramatically. I suggest you look into a GTX 1060 or an RX 580 (really good if you have a free sync monitor).

 

[Gabby]

I have dual monitors -- they're not the best though. It's an old LG Flatron E2241 and another LG I don't know what's its name but I don't even think it's for PC. I think it's a small TV, lol.

Thank you for your opinion though! Mhtro

 

[Cold Services]

What's your current graphics card?

 

[Mhtro]

I have dual monitors -- they're not the best though. It's an old LG Flatron E2241 and another LG I don't know what's its name but I don't even think it's for PC. I think it's a small TV, lol.

Thank you for your opinion though! Mhtro

I found your monitor and it does not support free sync so it's up to you to choose a GPU (i suggest to go with the RX because Freesycn monitors are cheaper)

 

[Gabby]

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760. Cold Services

I just realized it doesn't show my GPU. Mhtro

 

[Ivain]

Having had no experience with the RX580, I can't really say that the 1060 is better, but I would like to say that, if it's about futureproofing, the 1060 6GB is a very good budget option. I got mine for around $320, and I'll be able to play most games that come out in the next 3-5 years at high settings. Right now I can play Witcher III on Ultra with 50fps, which is not QUITE the ideal amount, but still very respectable for a lower-budget graphics card.
Your 16 GB of physical RAM should last a while still (Is it DDR2 or 3? I doubt it's DDR4).
The i7 you have should also be able to last you a while still, though it may be best to consider an upgrade for that if you have money left

The main thing I worry about is your motherboard. If it's too old, you're limited to what sort of upgrades you can apply.
Do you happen to know the chipset of your motherboard? (Something like Z170 or H110 etc).

 

[Mhtro]

Having had no experience with the RX580, I can't really say that the 1060 is better, but I would like to say that, if it's about futureproofing, the 1060 6GB is a very good budget option. I got mine for around $320, and I'll be able to play most games that come out in the next 3-5 years at high settings. Right now I can play Witcher III on Ultra with 50fps, which is not QUITE the ideal amount, but still very respectable for a lower-budget graphics card.
Your 16 GB of physical RAM should last a while still (Is it DDR2 or 3? I doubt it's DDR4).
The i7 you have should also be able to last you a while still, though it may be best to consider an upgrade for that if you have money left

The main thing I worry about is your motherboard. If it's too old, you're limited to what sort of upgrades you can apply.
Do you happen to know the chipset of your motherboard? (Something like Z170 or H110 etc).

Its DDR3

 

[TBOAbrupt]

GTX 1070

 

[Ivain]

Its DDR3

Then you should be good for a while memory-wise, it's not top-level but it's still perfectly fine.
Now, a 1060 6GB is a drastic upgrade over a 760. It's nearly 100% stronger: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-760-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB/2159vs3639
Unfortunately the price they note there is not realistic, there are almost no retailers that sell it for that price. Expect something closer to 300 euro or $330.
However, so would the RX 580 be: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-RX-580-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB/3923vs3639
It's cheaper than the 1060, and only slightly weaker overall. It's texture detail is actually stronger.

Honestly, I would have considered an RX 580 myself, but it wasn't even published yet at the time I made my own PC.

All in all, either of these is a significant upgrade from what you have now, and it's up to you to pick[DOUBLEPOST=1512568117][/DOUBLEPOST]

GTX 1070

Also an option, but we're assuming he wants some money for possible CPU upgrades as well. If he DOESN'T, a 1070 is a good choice.

 

[Mhtro]

GTX 1070

I think it will result in a bottleneck.

 

[TBOAbrupt]

Then you should be good for a while memory-wise, it's not top-level but it's still perfectly fine.
Now, a 1060 6GB is a drastic upgrade over a 760. It's nearly 100% stronger: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-760-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB/2159vs3639
Unfortunately the price they note there is not realistic, there are almost no retailers that sell it for that price. Expect something closer to 300 euro or $330.
However, so would the RX 580 be: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-RX-580-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB/3923vs3639
It's cheaper than the 1060, and only slightly weaker overall. It's texture detail is actually stronger.

Honestly, I would have considered an RX 580 myself, but it wasn't even published yet at the time I made my own PC.

All in all, either of these is a significant upgrade from what you have now, and it's up to you to pick[DOUBLEPOST=1512568117][/DOUBLEPOST]
Also an option, but we're assuming he wants some money for possible CPU upgrades as well. If he DOESN'T, a 1070 is a good choice.

Why would he want a new CPU. He has a i7 4770.. Pretty solid cpu if you ask me...

 

[Ivain]

Why would he want a new CPU. He has a i7 4770.. Pretty solid cpu if you ask me...

Because while it's still pretty good right now, it's not as future-proof. A i7 7700k would be a better option: http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-4770K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-7700K/1537vs3647
But as I said, that depends on his motherboard. I doubt if it's able to hold Kaby lake processors if it's from 2013

 

[Gabby]

TBOAbrupt I'm a she.. Lol.

Ivain Is there any other way I can know what my motherboard is? Because I totally forgot and I have just looked at my storage for the boxes but I doubt it's even there anymore LOL probably parents threw it away or something.

 

[Mhtro]

Because while it's still pretty good right now, it's not as future-proof. A i7 7700k would be a better option: http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-4770K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-7700K/1537vs3647
But as I said, that depends on his motherboard. I doubt if it's able to hold Kaby lake processors if it's from 2013

His GPU should hold him for at least 3 more years. After 3 years i9 prices would've dropped so buying an i7 now it's kinda useless/stupid.[DOUBLEPOST=1512568524][/DOUBLEPOST]

TBOAbrupt I'm a she.. Lol.

Ivain Is there any other way I can know what my motherboard is? Because I totally forgot and I have just looked at my storage for the boxes but I doubt it's even there anymore LOL probably parents threw it away or something.

Download SpeeCy best program to view your PC hardware.

 

[TBOAbrupt]

Because while it's still pretty good right now, it's not as future-proof. A i7 7700k would be a better option: http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-4770K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-7700K/1537vs3647
But as I said, that depends on his motherboard. I doubt if it's able to hold Kaby lake processors if it's from 2013

I can agree with you on the *future proofing,* I have a i7 7700k and I love it so that's why you have me agreeing [DOUBLEPOST=1512568570][/DOUBLEPOST]

TBOAbrupt I'm a she.. Lol.

Ivain Is there any other way I can know what my motherboard is? Because I totally forgot and I have just looked at my storage for the boxes but I doubt it's even there anymore LOL probably parents threw it away or something.

Sorry xD

 

[Ivain]

His GPU should hold him for at least 3 more years. After 3 years i9 prices would've dropped so buying an i7 now it's kinda useless/stupid.[DOUBLEPOST=1512568524][/DOUBLEPOST]

Download SpeeCy best program to view your PC hardware.

I assume you meant CPU here? That's fair enough, good advice. By that time it might also be best to just get a new motherboard anyway.

 

[Mhtro]

I assume you meant CPU here? That's fair enough, good advice. By that time it might also be best to just get a new motherboard anyway.

Yes, I meant CPU my bad.

 

[Gabby]

https://gyazo.com/4f7cbf229d0d32ac83b242ae784fde02

Lol I think the temperatures are a bit too high (?) I don't really have a proper cooler lol.

Ivain Mhtro TBOAbrupt

 

[Ivain]

They're not too high, but if that's what you're producing with older hardware, newer hardware might need a proper cooler.
If you're just using a stock cooling fan, you might want to invest in a better one, but you dont need to spend a fortune on cooling. I got a $30 fan for my setup (i6700 and 1060 6GB), and it functions just fine in combination with my case.

Only time you need to spend a lot of money on a powerful cooling system is if you're planning on overclocking or otherwise pushing your hardware to its limits. That's the main thing those fancy watercooling systems are meant for. A casual gamer like me (and possibly you) who does not need to squeeze his hardware for everything it's got can make do with a quality fan and a well-ventilated case. If your case is NOT well-ventilated, you might need a better fan, but I doubt it will be a major problem.