What should I upgrade?

[Luutii]

Hi! OK, I bought my pc prebuilt back in 2014-15. It still has the same components as when I bought it. A i5-4460, MSI GTX 960 2GB, 8GB DDR3, MSI B85 E34 motherboard, Cooler Master 500W PSU, 2 1 TB HDD.

The system has started to run slower over time, and I was wondering what would be the best thing to upgrade, and to go for.


Thanks for any help;D

 

[MaikuTech]

Start off with the memory that will be a vital part to your system, find the serial number on the ram.
Google it and buy another stick of 8gb, so you will have a total of 16gb.
Give us the detailed specs of your computer so we can know what we're dealing with here.

 

[Cycloid Torus]

"The system has started to run slower over time, and I was wondering what would be the best thing to upgrade"
- thorough cleaning
- renew thermal paste
- confirm open ventilation paths
- clean out unused files/programs
- defrag HDD, TRIM SSD

Then think about GPU and RAM upgrades if that hasn't 'fixed' it.

 

[Luutii]

"The system has started to run slower over time, and I was wondering what would be the best thing to upgrade"
- thorough cleaning
- renew thermal paste
- confirm open ventilation paths
- clean out unused files/programs
- defrag HDD, TRIM SSD

Then think about GPU and RAM upgrades if that hasn't 'fixed' it.

I did reinstall Windows, and checked the hard drives.
“Thorough cleaning” do you mean remove dust, clean fans etc. Or clean software in general?

 

[Luutii]

Start off with the memory that will be a vital part to your system, find the serial number on the ram.
Google it and buy another stick of 8gb, so you will have a total of 16gb.
Give us the detailed specs of your computer so we can know what we're dealing with here.

Mm... I do have two sticks of 4 GB ram, but 4 slots. 4x4 GB, or 2x8 gb?
“More detailed specs”... like model number? For ram it’s ddr3 hyperx fury, idk but probably 1600mhz idk

 

[Cycloid Torus]

“Thorough cleaning” do you mean remove dust, clean fans etc. - yes.

4x4GB sounds good - I get mine used from eBay. Pull the RAM version numbers off with Belarc Advisor (or similar) and search using that very specific focus - expect to pay $40-$50 (check 'sold' listings).

 

[Verrm]

I'd upgrade in this order:
1. Buy SSD
2. Get geforce 1070 (1060 6gb will also be ok)
3. Find used i7-4790k+overclockable motherboard and sell my cpu+mobo
4. Make sure the cpu cooler is up to new overclocked cpu, if not I'd buy a new one (like Dark Rock Pro 3 for example).
5. Get 16GB ram (you are pretty fine at this moment for some time)
6. Get new 750W PSU and then hard overclock 1070 and cpu
7. Get 1440p monitor
8. Get new case
9. Get a hot dog
10. After at least 2-3 years from now consider 1080Ti or whatever gpu will be good then (Volta probably)
11. Only after GPU upgrade I would consider newer generation CPU+Mobo+Ram

Good luck!

 

[MaikuTech]

Mm... I do have two sticks of 4 GB ram, but 4 slots. 4x4 GB, or 2x8 gb?
“More detailed specs”... like model number? For ram it’s ddr3 hyperx fury, idk but probably 1600mhz idk

Yes 8gb x 2 would be 16gb which would be better than have two 4gb in each slot.
If money isn't really a big deal for you sell off your current ram on ebay for 30 bucks and each shipped.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104466
Two of those each would run you 130.00 even, also your msi board will auto adjust the ram timing.
Settle it down 1600mhz and cpu adjust ratio cpu clock speed go by here and listen to what they tell you.
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/
For psu I don't think 700watts is needed but 600watts right off the bat will handle your parts much more better.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014

 

[Cycloid Torus]

YouTube has several interesting comparisons of RAM: 1x16, 2x8, 4x4 - take a look.

 

[Luutii]

I'd upgrade in this order:
1. Buy SSD
2. Get geforce 1070 (1060 6gb will also be ok)
3. Find used i7-4790k+overclockable motherboard and sell my cpu+mobo
4. Make sure the cpu cooler is up to new overclocked cpu, if not I'd buy a new one (like Dark Rock Pro 3 for example).
5. Get 16GB ram (you are pretty fine at this moment for some time)
6. Get new 750W PSU and then hard overclock 1070 and cpu
7. Get 1440p monitor
8. Get new case
9. Get a hot dog
10. After at least 2-3 years from now consider 1080Ti or whatever gpu will be good then (Volta probably)
11. Only after GPU upgrade I would consider newer generation CPU+Mobo+Ram

Good luck!

Should I get GPUs new or is used ones fine? xD
Any recommendations on overclock motherboard?

 

[Luutii]

Should I get GPUs new or is used ones fine? xD
Any recommendations on overclock motherboard?

One more thing xD
You recommend 1070 to play 1440p, or is the 1060 worth it at its price point

 

[Cycloid Torus]

"Should I get GPUs new or is used ones fine?" - get new with good warranty.

Since 1440p is not really visible until the monitor is big enough for it (27" and up), you may find 1060 at 1080p is plenty.

 

[Verrm]

One more thing xD
You recommend 1070 to play 1440p, or is the 1060 worth it at its price point

I'd get used if money does not allow to buy new. But when buying used you need to see this card working in stress test on seller's pc before you buy it so you know that there is nothing wrong with it. After you buy used you only need to replace thermal paste and you're good to go.
To play 1440p you need 1070. 1060 will be very quickly capable to play only at low-mid settings in 1440p.
I cannot recommend any motherboard for this generation as I do not have such knowledge. Either ask in CPUs and Mobos forums or take your time to read some reviews. Also used mobos are perfectly OK (just remember to check if bios battery is still OK)

 

[Luutii]

I'd get used if money does not allow to buy new. But when buying used you need to see this card working in stress test on seller's pc before you buy it so you know that there is nothing wrong with it. After you buy used you only need to replace thermal paste and you're good to go.
To play 1440p you need 1070. 1060 will be very quickly capable to play only at low-mid settings in 1440p.
I cannot recommend any motherboard for this generation as I do not have such knowledge. Either ask in CPUs and Mobos forums or take your time to read some reviews. Also used mobos are perfectly OK (just remember to check if bios battery is still OK)

Thanks, mmm... thermal paste on gpu? Isn’t GPUs “Plug n Play?”?

 

[Verrm]

Thanks, mmm... thermal paste on gpu? Isn’t GPUs “Plug n Play?”?

Each GPU has its own processing unit and cooler. Between those theres thermal paste like on every cpu. It will take some time for this thermal paste to loose some of its thermal transfer properties, but they do loose it. You can easily replace the paste by unscrewing usually 4-6 screws from back and between fan blades. Very easy to do.

 

[Kyuunex]

"The system has started to run slower over time"
I don't see an SSD on your list. Go get it. Now. then reinstall.

The thing is, Windows 10 really punishes you for not having an SSD.

While you are at it, you can also clean out the dust out from your PC.

 

[Luutii]

"The system has started to run slower over time"
I don't see an SSD on your list. Go get it. Now. then reinstall.

The thing is, Windows 10 really punishes you for not having an SSD.

While you are at it, you can also clean out the dust out from your PC.

I did just reinstall windows. Not deleting everything though. I kept files, but programs were deleted.
When I get a ssd, the OS and my games are the things I should put on it right?
Maybe AE or Premier and stuff like that?

 

[Kyuunex]

I did just reinstall windows. Not deleting everything though. I kept files, but programs were deleted.
When I get a ssd, the OS and my games are the things I should put on it right?
Maybe AE or Premier and stuff like that?

The OS, without doubt, should go on the SSD. I would also put my most used programs there as well. As for games, well it's personal preference.

 

[Luutii]

The OS, without doubt, should go on the SSD. I would also put my most used programs there as well. As for games, well it's personal preference.

Hmm Ok. Just like under Vermm said in his list, the ssd is first priority. I think his list is good to follow, right?

 

[Kyuunex]

Hmm Ok. Just like under Vermm said in his list, the ssd is first priority. I think his list is good to follow, right?

I think SSD is fine for now. Whether you continue down his list depends on what you actually use the PC for. For now, just get an SSD, then decide on the rest. I would probably not go down the list unless I really need more processing power.

 

[torchyear]

I'd get an SSD and an extra 8GB RAM. That machine should be sweet for 1080p gaming at high-ultra, and 1440p at med-high as well as giving a nice boost for general productivity. Personally I'd be saving for a new machine if I were to upgrade any more bits beyond that.

 

[Luutii]

I'd get an SSD and an extra 8GB RAM. That machine should be sweet for 1080p gaming at high-ultra, and 1440p at med-high as well as giving a nice boost for general productivity. Personally I'd be saving for a new machine if I were to upgrade any more bits beyond that.

After installing a SSD I should be able to know if I should «upgrade fully» or if its good enough

 

[Luutii]

I'd get an SSD and an extra 8GB RAM. That machine should be sweet for 1080p gaming at high-ultra, and 1440p at med-high as well as giving a nice boost for general productivity. Personally I'd be saving for a new machine if I were to upgrade any more bits beyond that.

Na, your kinda far off. I think it should to much better, and 1080 ultra, aaahh maybe, if I wanted to run it at 30 fps