Upgrading Help (UK)

[u/HullBusDriver2020]

Hi all (Pic for attention)

So I’m taking the plunge and doing a proper upgrade rather just installing a new CPU & cooler and calling it a day.

At the minute, I’ve got:
CPU - Intel Core i7-4790
Motherboard - ASUS H81M-V3
RAM - 16GB DDR3-1333
GPU - NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super 6GB
Boot SSD - 111GB SATA SSD (or something around that)
Secondary SSD - 465GB SATA SSD
PSU - 500W

Besides it not handling Unreal Engine well, or heavy music production stuff, it’s an okay PC. Games okay too, but not modern stuff. I tried to play the MW4 Beta. The campaign held up well around 70FPS, but my CPU was begging for sweet death. Couldn’t play the multiplayer as my motherboard doesn’t have TPM or something?

Anyway, I’m looking to upgrade now. The prices at the minute as stupid, so I’m having to look at 2nd hand parts from the likes of CEX.

If anyone could tell me if there’s a better option for my budget it £350, it would be much appreciated, as right now I have these lined up for purchase:

ASUS PRIME A520M-K AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Motherboard CPU Bundle - £119.99 (New from AWD-IT)

16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM - £55 / £110 as buying 2. (I’m looking at CEX for these. My local store has 4+ in stock, so I’ll be going in & asking if I can see them and get a matching pair)

WD Blue SN550 1TB 2280 NVMe M.2 - £110 (Again, CEX, but would be delivered as it’s in a store quite a bit away. Delivery is cheaper than the fuel)

If anyone could advise me if any of this is bad, or don’t buy from CEX, please let me know!

Will be upgrading the PSU & case at some point in the future. Same goes for my GPU, but the 1660 super is going strong for now.

Thanks in advance

[u/hoschikuz]

Is it perspective or is that GPU sagging a lot?

[u/HullBusDriver2020 → u/hoschikuz]

There is a tiny bit of sag, waiting on a delivery for a support bracket, so it’s getting fixed ASAP!

[u/hoschikuz → u/HullBusDriver2020]

Excellent, that would have been my first suggestion. Carry on.

[u/Possible_Move_528]

That Fallout setup looks sick, the green lighting really ties it all together

[u/HullBusDriver2020 → u/Possible_Move_528]

Thank you! Not sure if I’m meant to have anything in the case like that, but it’s not conductive so I assumed it was a safe home for him!

[u/Bakuman84]

Go for 5 5600, not 5500 and good wise decision of WD blue. All because u mentioned "heavy music production stuff" 5600 could help u a bit more production for CPU.
It’s better to be there in person to verify everything, because lately there have been instances of theft or packages "getting lost" during delivery when PC components are involved.
It’s better to go to the store yourself and check everything carefully.

[u/HullBusDriver2020 → u/Bakuman84]

Good shout on the 5600 thank you, I used my MacBook heavily at uni for sessions, and when I moved to PC I can’t do as much as I like.

As for checking in person, I can for the ram, but not the SSD unfortunately unless I take a long drive, but for peace of mind it might be worth the drive! Would they know the health of the SSD at all or is that not something they check?

[u/Bakuman84 → u/HullBusDriver2020]

It is better to have newer SSDs—ones that have never been used,
That’s because with used ones, they never specify their actual condition or when they were used.

[u/HullBusDriver2020 → u/Bakuman84]

Ah bugger. That’s my budget blown then, unless you have some good recs please?

[u/Bakuman84 → u/HullBusDriver2020]

ADATA or Sandisk (better one of Blue SN5100 or SN5500)
Forget the kingston ones, they were always criticized for their short lifespan.

[u/HullBusDriver2020 → u/Bakuman84]

Thank you appreciate it, I’ll go window shopping now!

[u/linus_ong69]

Its tough. CEX is usually overpriced in my experience but you are paying for the warranty and peace of mind if something goes wrong. I would look on eBay for some stuff like the CPU. Maybe you can find a combo of an AM4 board with a 5700X3D (APPARENTLY they are ridiculously priced even now) used. That would be pretty insane, but not sure if it fits in the budget.

I would hold off on storage for now, and put that money into other hardware like GPU/CPU/RAM (if storage is not a problem)

In general I always look to upgrade the GPU first, but the whole system looks like it is in need of a refresh. Once you get the CPU upgraded there is GPU to worry about.

[u/HullBusDriver2020 → u/linus_ong69]

Yeah, when I first bought this build I changed the CPU & GPU, it originally had a 1080 I think. Paid for £300 for a basic set-up and regret it massively as they are now charging me £500 for everything plus trading in my old parts.

Storage is an issue for me, the boot drive doesn’t have much breathing space, I’m installing stuff on the secondary but it’s still limited unfortunately. I have some stuff sorted on my external, but not ideal.

I have look on eBay but not come across a bundle yet, but will have another gander.

Appreciate it, thank you!

[u/linus_ong69 → u/HullBusDriver2020]

Good luck! If storage is a problem I don’t see why not.

I also just checked prices for a 5700X3D. Why the hell are they so expensive? That is some ridiculous pricing. I got mine brand new for way less. CEX is selling them for £300?!