Hey PCMR, what’s a good upgrade path for my old PC from 2018? My budget is about $500 USD, here are the specs:

CPU: i3-8100
Mobo: B360
GPU: 1060 6GB
RAM: 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
Monitor: Asus 60 Hz 24", VZ249HE I think
PSU: Seasonic S12II 520w

Use case: gaming, streaming, minor video editing, work

I don’t mind getting secondhand, might actually prefer it depending on the part. Also kinda wish I won’t have to change mobos unless the performance difference is big enough for the same price (like 10+ FPS). I’m thinking I’ll just get an i7-8700 + 6700 XT + 650w brand new PSU and I’ll follow that up with a monitor upgrade a month or two after this upgrade. Though someone here might know a more optimal route?

Also, any monitor recommendations? Would it be better to go with a 1080p 24" 144 Hz or 27" 1440p 75 Hz? I don’t play a lot of FPS but I do go sim racing

Thanks guys

  • HauiEnglish
    5·
    1 year ago

    You sound like my kind of person. I‘m looking at the 6700 xt as well. Extreme bang for the buck and longevity.

    I‘d do pretty much the exact same way as you do. Video editing might actually benefit from more ram though.

    I checked your available routes. You could go up to 64 GB of Ram and you could max out to i9 9900K although thats not a cheap processor.

    If you can shoot all these used, you should be good. Scrap additional ram for processor if need be. The board seems reasonable for another 5 yrs or so.

    Good luck.

    • CaptainFortissimo@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      I just recently got the 6700xt secondhand, upgrading my gtx 970. Got it for $360 which was not bad at all. The 970 served me well and was still playing many games 1080p @ 60fps. But it’s a noticeable difference with the 6700 xt. And as you said, it looks to have longevity. My 970 lasted me 8 years, and I picked the 6700xt expecting at least the same. I highly recommend it!

      • HauiEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Nice! So it‘s got your recommendation I suppose? I‘m deciding between it and the nvidia 3060ti which seems to have marginally better performance but less vram and is also cheaper. Two reasons why I will probably take the amd: the pc I want to put it in is Ubuntu so those nvidia drivers are pretty rough for it. Secondly, I‘m not really enjoying the idea of supporting nvidia with their bad business practices.

        • CaptainFortissimo@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          You’re exactly where I was. Lol. For the longest time I was sure I was going to get a 3060ti because the 3070 was just too expensive. Then as prices started dropping and secondhand cards were getting so much cheaper, I was inclined to open up my options. After reading a lot, I decided that the extra vram would serve me better for a long run with the card, especially since I was generally finding the 6700xt going for less than the 3060ti and 3070 on FB marketplace.

          And as you said, the recent business practices by Nvidia definitely weigh heavily.

          • HauiEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            Thats pretty funny. Thanks for sharing. I didn’t think I‘d meet someone who had this exact thought process. How are your experiences with the card?