Upgrading Girlfriend’s PC and Trying to Act Like I Know What I’m Doing. Please Help!
Posted by No-Flight9785@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 123 comments
My girlfriend’s PC is a handful of years old and I told her it shouldn’t be a problem to upgrade the computer so she can play while I am on my PS5. I saw that her graphics card was from 2017, so I ordered her an AMD 9070XT. Once I installed it and fired up Marvel Rivals, I realized I have no idea what I’m doing. 1080p is the best I could squeeze out of it. Clearly, she needs some more upgrades.
The goal is for at least 1440p smoothly on most games. Any help for a gamer that wants to impress his girlfriend and game in peace?
Processor
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz, 4200 Mhz, 4 Core(s)
BIOS Version/Date
American Megatrends Inc. 0604, 12/8/2016
BaseBoard Manufacturer
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
BaseBoard Product
PRIME Z270-AR
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB
GPU
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
Sithishe@reddit
cant post screenshots so:
Open AMD Software and then there will be presets. I am lazy so I use Hypr-RX Eco and call it a day. Works wonders in any game.
ReadyAimTranspire@reddit
At first I thought this was about upgrading girlfriends
fake news
jigsaw93@reddit
Everyone saying mobo and cpu. Dont forget to check if your psu is enough too.
marouan-ua@reddit
See, u need a new motherboard + processor + ram. So if u r on a budget get a ryzen 5 5600x + 8+8 gb ddr4 ram with a b550 motherboard If u have no problem with budget so get a ryzen 5 9600x3d with a 8+8 gb ram ddr5 with B650 or X870 chipset motherboard + 1 or 2 tb of pcie m.2 nvme ssd.
9okm@reddit
You need to build a whole new computer. First step is for GF to start backing up all her files elsewhere in case you screw this up.
Eorika@reddit
Uhh no, big disagree. Old does not equal bad.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
What would be the first steps for parts? Motherboard then CPU?
da2Pakaveli@reddit
Hardware is expensive af right now. If you can get DDR4 ram from somebody you know for cheap I'd recommend that route. Apparently the 5800X3D Ryzen CPU is getting a re-release so that's a great CPU.
For storage NVME ssds are preferable but SATA SSDs are also ok.
If not i got a 7800x3d for cheap (tray version is often even cheaper)...but the RAM prices are nuts (300% what they were a year prior).
OldOne999@reddit
PC is so old that the CPU does not meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11.
9okm@reddit
Everything. Do not buy piecemeal.
BeatriceDaRaven@reddit
Theres also a good chance brodie plugged his monitor into the mobo not the gpu, just saying
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Plugged into GPU and have Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor (3440 × 1440)
ancientemblem@reddit
Did you uninstall the old graphics drivers before installing the new ones? If not use DDU to uninstall the drivers and reinstall the new ones.
fake_plastic_peace@reddit
As others said, if you want the bast use from her monitor, I’d start looking to upgrade the whole thing. You can reuse the storage (as a secondary storage), but otherwise a new MoBo, DDR5 ram (16{2x8 identical sticks} GB is fine), CPU (I’d recommend and AMD x3d chip if she’s playing competitive shooters like rivals, and PSU. A nice 1 TB NVMe drive as well would be ideal. Can likely reuse the case and fans though, if the GPU already fits. Watch videos on how to do it and then maybe tackle it with your GF as a fun project, or do it on your own. Alternatively you can get a new case too and just build the PC as a big surprise so she can keep using the original and then transitioning files and stuff will be easier. Finally, you can consider a new pre built with modern specs, as the market last I checked (which wasn’t recent) hasn’t been great for parts. Good luck!
BeatriceDaRaven@reddit
Nice, meant no disrespect btw
PigSlam@reddit
There's an extremely good chance GF has a 1080p monitor.
nitrogenlegend@reddit
For real, I wouldn’t expect a big difference in fps between 1080p and 1440p on rivals with that cpu/GPU combo. Gonna be cpu bound regardless.
9okm@reddit
Lol. That's very possible. Though for a game like Marvel Rivals, an upgrade is in order anyway.
TJB_the_Gamer1@reddit
OP might be ablt to save the power supply case and storage devices if theyre ona budget (I dont think OP would be) but not everyting needs to be replaced.
9okm@reddit
They said $2,000 USD.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
You’ve been very helpful. Much appreciated.
9okm@reddit
No prob :). With regard to the above comment specifically... you can always plug the old computer into your TV, install Bazzite, and us it with a controller for couch gaming. Older systems are great for this, and some games (like, platformers, indies etc.) don't need particularly new hardware to run beautifully.
_probe_46_@reddit
This is actually a great idea. Stealing this for later
BillDStrong@reddit
Not to mention emulation of older systems.
9okm@reddit
Definitely
guacemolii@reddit
rivals is very cpu intensive, upgrade cpu & motherboard then ram. some motherboards and cpus support diff kinds of ram so make sure everything is compatible on smth like pc part picker 😊
MightBeADesk@reddit
You upgrade the motherboard you have to upgrade cou and ram. (For where you're coming from), by that point you gotta consider if her storage is good enough to feed all those new high end parts, then you need to know if the power supply is enough, you need to know if the cooling solution is enough. With current prices for stuff I've been recommending my friends get computers from costco
2raysdiver@reddit
First steps are to define what you mean when you say the best you could do was squeeze out 1080p. What settings were you using? Do you mean that it doesn't display 1440p as an option or that the play there is unacceptable. Can you tell us what FPS you are seeing (use the AMD Adrenaline overlay or MSI afterburner overlay to see what GPU and CPU temps, fps and usage are. Do you have anything running in the background?
1440p is generally less taxing for a CPU than 1080p, because the GPU has to do more work to generate frames. In theory, if you can get acceptable frames at 1080p with your existing CPU, then it may be the GPU (hard to believe for a 9070 XT) or something else that is holding you back at 1440p.
I'm not saying there isn't more to be gained from a better CPU, but that trying to apply solutions without understanding the problem can result in spending a LOT of money for potentially little or no benefit.
animage66@reddit
Yes motherboard lol. Idk what kind of cpu you have in it, but chances are you need a new mobo for the new cpu. That could also mean new ram depending on what you do. After that you should be good as long as you work with the current case. I mean you only need a new case when the fan isn't good enough for the new cpu or if you're on some weird oem prebuild and a new case is mandatory.
Sanc7@reddit
Microcenter or Newegg mobo/cpu/ram bundle
TJB_the_Gamer1@reddit
this!
also most walmarts are trying to clear invetory of their 7600x ive seen them for as cheap as $75
IndyPFL@reddit
Friend of mine found a 7800X3D for like $125 USD, not sure if at Walmart or somewhere else but I was bewildered. She doesn't want to pay for DDR5 though so she was planning on flipping it for below MSRP to get herself a 5800X3D if the re-release actually does happen.
trouttwade@reddit
What’s your budget? If you have crazy money, go with a DDR5 build, if you don’t have crazy it money it’s still perfectly viable to go DDR4.
captainstormy@reddit
Motherboards and CPUs go together because they are designed around a socket. What she has now is LGA1151 socket.
It uses DDR4, but it's pretty old DDR and likely very slow. You probably aren't going to want to reuse that either. All the new sockets these days are DDR5 anyway.
Are you dead set on new parts or are you willing to do used? You could probably find a good used deal either on a whole PC or a motherboard/cpu combo (which sometimes come with ram but not usually these days).
If you are within a reasonable drive to a Micro center. You should do one of their bundles for sure. even if it's like a 3-4 hour drive it will most likely be worth it. You can buy online for pickup in store to make sure it's waiting for you when you get there.
Take a look at her PSU too. If it was new to that PC and is a good quality unit (check the PSU tier list) I'd reuse it. If it's a low tier unit (or unknown) or it was carried over from an older PC already I'd invest in a good PSU now.
Also, don't forget the monitor. She doesn't have to have the best monitor in the world, but if you wanna run 1440P it needs to be a 1440P monitor obviously.
Don't just throw away the old parts either. Sell them used, they all have value to someone. I just bought a similar age motherboard and cpu myself to use to build a custom home router with opnsense.
2raysdiver@reddit
Not necessarily. While I haven't tried Rivals, I have a 6700K paired with a 4060 that gets over 130fps upscaled to 1440p in Hogwart's Legacy and averages in the 90-110 range native. I will give Rivals a go tonight, though.
Lelman2424@reddit
Rivals is very cpu dependent game. With an i7 10700k i struggling to get fix 200fps on 1080p competitve settings.(low)
9okm@reddit
Curious how you find it. I don’t play rivals either but all I hear is how cpu taxing it is, mainly due to poor optimization.
2raysdiver@reddit
Ah yeah. Poor optimization could do it. I was seeing up to 300fps (lows of 180-200 I think, avg well into the 200s) with Doom Eternal (highly optimized, I understand) and had to double and triple check settings to make sure that DLSS and Frame Gen were indeed turned off. I even double checked that it really was just a 6700K.
CrazyPorsche115@reddit
What is the best place to backup ALL files from a PC?
esjb11@reddit
Running 1440P on this shouldnt be an issue for most games. Its not that old.
CombatDork@reddit
Bottleneck calculations show about a 0-15% CPU bottleneck at 4k and 2k. Not the issue the OP described. They cannot get the resolution to go above FHD.
OP, try this;
LMK how it goes.
ZalgoTheOne@reddit
The monitor might not be over FHD
CombatDork@reddit
That is possible.
Still, a laymen just installed a new graphics card in an old system.
There is also a chance they didn't connect all the PCIe Power, etc.
ZalgoTheOne@reddit
He really just needs a new pc
CombatDork@reddit
If that is your first troubleshooting step then you aren't really trying to work the problem. You're jumping to an easy solution, that maybe outside of the scope of the client.
ZalgoTheOne@reddit
Its mot, but the problem is obvious
CombatDork@reddit
So you're certain its not the driver, monitor, cable, or anything possibility. Even though you don't have the system in front of you?
I literally have the hardware to test this.
I have a i7 7700k system with a 3080ti on it, and a 9800x3d system with a Mercury 9070xt. It would just take a little graphics car swap to prove you wrong.
Care to put money on it. $500 to keep it spicey?
I am certain I can get the 7700k to run a 9070xt at a higher resolution then FHD.
ZalgoTheOne@reddit
I'm 100% curtain that he needs a new PC
A new pc at best buy will proly fix the problem
CombatDork@reddit
Wanna take the bet? If I win, I'll give it to the OP.
ZalgoTheOne@reddit
How am i wrong? If u buy a brand new pc at best buy it has no issues 99% of the time, therefore, if his pc no worky, buy new one, new pc worky? Problem gone 👍
CombatDork@reddit
If the monitor, or cable, does not support 4k then you'd be wrong. You haven't established the root of the problem yet.
ZalgoTheOne@reddit
Monitor not working? Buy a new monitor.
On a side note, I'm only trolling (I know, waste of time, I'll stop).
Things that he should actually check have already been covered in other comments.
Make sure drivers are up to date, make sure the GPU is plugged in and that the HDMI/DP is in the GPU instead of the motherboard, check the monitor's max resolution and the cable's maximum rated resolution, check that the in-game settings aren't too high, etc.
In the end, I'm going to bet that the issue is the motherboard's limited PCIe speeds (9070xt is PCIe 5.0 and the motherboard is PCIe 3) and he's turning the graphics too high to play with, considering he may have higher expectations due to the 9070xt being one of the top-end GPUs from AMD right now.
PigSlam@reddit
What if you only have a FHD display?
CombatDork@reddit
Exactly! We need to establish the root of the problem.
I happen to have multiple 4k displays and far too many PCs so I can actually test this.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
PCIe are the prongs into motherboard from GPU right? I plugged both of them. The old GPU only had one. The AMD has two.
majestic_ubertrout@reddit
Doesn't the 9070 XT have four video ports?
PigSlam@reddit
My 9070 has 3 DP and 1 HDMI
9okm@reddit
Bottleneck calculators are garbage.
CombatDork@reddit
How else would you establish a baseline agruement?
9okm@reddit
Benchmarks from trusted reviewers.
CombatDork@reddit
That is precisely where the data comes from. Keep speaking from ignorance and you'll have a bad time.
9okm@reddit
Bottleneck calculators are incentivized to find problems with hardware configurations and then profit by making money through affiliate links. Plus, they encourage an incredibly surface level understanding of computer hardware interactions. They're both predatory and detrimental.
CombatDork@reddit
Partially agree.
The bottleneck calculator sites aggregate the data and, in order to keep the website active, use links and ads to fund their site.
They provide a very generic amalgamation of data. Multiple factors can effect the outcome for an individual use case.
Just as with power supply calculators, I use these only to inform the decision making process.
The numbers we see on the bottleneck calculator show that the OP's system should be capable of higher resolutions and better performance than what the OP is encountering. So... something else is wrong.
We should troubleshoot down until we either identify the specific issue(s) beyond a reasonable doubt and then formulate a plan to correct the problem.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
I’ll try and let you know.
CombatDork@reddit
Please do.
As others have indicated, ensure that your monitor is capable of the higher resolution and ensure that the display is plugged into the graphics card and not the motherboard.
schaka@reddit
7700K is barely enough for 30-60 fps in AAA games with a 9070 XT. Only upgrade the system (like others said you must) if it's lagging or she's struggling.
Win 11 IoT LTSC should be enough with 16GB of RAM. It's not great, but it's way better than what a lot of people use to play at 1080p medium
PerceptionWide7002@reddit
Yeah so that processor is far too old. That's like pairing an RTX 5070 with a Ryzen 5 3600, a CPU deserving of retirement with a newborn GPU.
You're gonna have to build a new one from scratch, and I mean all brand new parts.
Depending on your budget, and her intended usage with the PC, I recommend either a Ryzen 9700X or 7800X3D (since you clearly have the money to afford a 9070XT) for the CPU, 32GB of DDR5, at least a B650 motherboard (not too cheap) and an 850W power supply minimum, but if you're gonna overclock, 1000W might be a safer choice.
If you live near a microcenter, definitely take advantage of any bundles or deals, a 9700X, 32GB DDR5 and a nice B650 Mobo with a fresh Bios for only $550 is a steal
TheXskull@reddit
ryzen 3600 can 100% be paired with 5070ti, most games arent that cpu heavy
TheXskull@reddit
Are the os and the game installed on an ssd?
Seriously this makes a huge difference.
I went from elden ring unplayable to 60 fps with nothing else changing but moving to an ssd.
MonkeySkulls@reddit
having the wrong HDMI cable could actually limit you to how much resolution you can get from your GPU.
basically every every Link in the system can be a choking point. a GPU can limit the resolution. The cable can limit the resolution. The port can limit the resolution. The monitor can limit the resolution.
azeunkn0wn@reddit
You have 2 upgrade options. 1. DDR4 build: you will be able to reuse your current RAM, only replace motherboard and CPU. 2. DDR5 build: You need to buy a whole new set. Mobo, CPU, and RAM.
Advanced_Cod2994@reddit
My recommendation is that you get an am4/am5 mobo, and get an AMD CPU, for am4, 3700x is the bare minimum, 5600x is good, but it's only like 150-200 new I think, so you should be able to get a 5700x3d or 5800x3d. B550 is a good idea because the CPU power delivery is better. Also, for am5, get maybe 7700x/7600x or if you want something good 7800x3d. I don't recommend intel because the upgrade path is simply atrocious. Almost every cpu needs a new mobo to pair, and that's every gen, so upgrading is a nightmare
Somethingspicy91@reddit
Do you even have a 1440p monitor? You don't squeeze a higher resolution, you have to have a monitor that displays in 1440p and the hardware to handle it. So a new graphics card is only part of the equation.
I don't want you to spend $1800 on a new PC and find yourself again wondering why your resolution isn't higher.
Also don't buy your girlfriend a computer to "impress" her.
InfiniteLight07@reddit
well if you say BaseBoard, you should probably take it to a shop…
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Quick response! Thanks, all. I guess I have to impress her with a totally new PC. Shit.
Darkangelike@reddit
I just want to say that I am in the same boat, I am currently building a whole new PC for my girlfriend. I upgraded her GPU like you first because the games she was playing were freezing. Unfortunately, we are doing it in the wrong time, RAM price has skyrocketed but it is very well worth it in my opinion to make my girlfriend happy!! I am currently waiting for the PSU to come today and then I will be mounting everything.
I hope you can find good prices for all the different parts and impress her!!
Visual_Recording5553@reddit
This 7700k is a bottleneck factor, also have to check what power supply she got, it's dangerous to use anything with a "bad or not sufficient" power supply, I think if you want price to performance, take ddr4 like a Ryzen 5 5600-ryzen ,5700x3d or an Intel 12700k at least if you able to go ddr5 what is pretty expensive now because of the memory prices..Ryzen 5 7500f-7600- or Ryzen 7 7700 (non x) are pretty decent, and can run anything... At least 32gb ram. With those she can crush 1440p depends on the game .
Arelius_2002@reddit
Gotta do a full rebuild if you don’t mind am4 since it’s still a few hundred dollars cheaper for the entire set up you can get a good b550 motherboard for about $90 and a 5500x3d for $200, 32gbs of ddr4 for $200. SSDs are around $160 for a 1TB ssd. But if you want Am5 it’s just more expensive but it’s future proofed and will be have way more of a upgrade path than am4 and is just better but when amd 5800x3d does get relaunched am4 is going to look really good especially if it’s priced right.
fake_plastic_peace@reddit
As others said, if you want the bast use from her monitor, I’d start looking to upgrade the whole thing. You can reuse the storage (as a secondary storage), but otherwise a new MoBo, DDR5 ram (16{2x8 identical sticks} GB is fine), CPU (I’d recommend and AMD x3d chip if she’s playing competitive shooters like rivals, and PSU. A nice 1 TB NVMe drive as well would be ideal. Can likely reuse the case and fans though, if the GPU already fits. Watch videos on how to do it and then maybe tackle it with your GF as a fun project, or do it on your own. Alternatively you can get a new case too and just build the PC as a big surprise so she can keep using the original and then transitioning files and stuff will be easier. Finally, you can consider a new pre built with modern specs, as the market last I checked (which wasn’t recent) hasn’t been great for parts. Good luck!
aragorn18@reddit
That's a CPU from 9 years ago. This system is sadly too old to directly upgrade. Keep the GPU, but basically the rest of the system is going to need to be replaced.
Specific suggestions would depend on your budget and location.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Virginia, under $2000
aragorn18@reddit
Are you near Fairfax? You can go to the Micro Center there and get this great bundle deal of CPU/motherboard/RAM. https://www.microcenter.com/product/5007407/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d,-gigabyte-b850-gaming-x-wifi6e-am5,-gskill-flare-x5-series-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle
Then, here's the rest of the system. In total the rest of the system without the GPU that you already bought, costs about $1200.
PCPartPicker Part List
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
You’re the best. Thanks for this.
aragorn18@reddit
Happy to help. Just a note the case I picked can easily be swapped for any ATX case. Cases are very much a personal preference thing.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
How will I know if her case will work for these parts?
According_Mind7030@reddit
The main thing for the case is the GPU clearance. Just make sure it's big enough for the 9070xt. And get one with pre-installed fans.
9okm@reddit
Enter them all into pcpartpicker, then come back here and post the completed list for us to do a final once over.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Would it be better to just return the GPU and get something like this from Microcenter?
https://www.microcenter.com/product/702408/powerspec-g760-gaming-pc
T2_daBest@reddit
Honestly that the best easiest thing to do with this current market. When parts are closer to msrp it's definitely the route to build but when parts are overpriced prebuilts can offer a lot of value
9okm@reddit
Probably, lol. Microcenter is great.
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Hell yeah. Thanks.
gh0stwriter1234@reddit
The fractal cases are pretty roomy anyway also be careful not to accidentally get the north xl its too massive lol.
aragorn18@reddit
As I said, pretty much any ATX case will work. But, as u/9okm said, you can use PCPartPicker to confirm.
TechnoGMNG589@reddit
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/X86qph
Get this. Obviously using the 9070xt. Use the 500 dollars for a monitor or other peripherals upgrade.
If you have a microcenter near you, get a deal from there.
AshamedFalcon5143@reddit
Mobo, cpu, ram. Reuse everything else if possible. Microcenter has some great bundles that include all 3. Then sell the old parts as a bundle on eBay or marketplace to make some of the money back.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/5007384/amd-ryzen-5-7500x3d,-asrock-b850m-c-am5,-gskill-flare-x5-series-16gb-ddr5-6000,-computer-build-bundle This is the cheapest good bundle imo. If willing to spend more then maybe a 7800x3d or better combo.
Human-Suspect-232@reddit
You can’t, or it’s going to be expensive.
expatfella@reddit
There's a lot of good advice on that thread. But just in case you want to avoid looking like you messed up, here's your "out".
You didn't realize that the CPU was so old that it's becoming redundant due to Windows 10 retirement in a few months. So you'll need to make further changes.
_julio2@reddit
I just upgraded from a 7700k to a 7800x3d earlier this year.
Before upgrading I could play rivals at 4k resolution with HDR enabled and got solid fps numbers with a 3080ti.
You probably need to tweak your game settings.
I was able to upgrade to windows 11 on a fresh install as well. I did get an error message when I first tried installing W11 but all I had to do was update the bios, enable TPM 2.0, and turn on windows secure boot and then I was allowed to proceed with the OS installation. I'm not sure if this would work if you're upgrading from Windows 10 as I had already wiped my boot drive.
Also one of the best upgrades you can do is a new monitor. The 7700k had no problem when I was on a 1440p 165hz monitor and just fine when I moved to a 4k 120hz TV. With your GPU you should have no problem playing at whatever resolution you want. Obviously you won't be hitting 300fps or whatever on a 7700k but it still played everything that came out new on Gamepass.
I've been playing on a Qd-oled TV for three years now and I'm still amazed at the colors everytime I boot up a game with HDR. The contrast and colors destroy a color calibrated IPS monitor. Even at just 120hz oled looks smoother than a 165hz TN monitor too.
animage66@reddit
based on the specs you just need a new mobo to upgrade to at least either a 5600x or a 7600x. Both would require a different mobo. Though if you go for a 7600x you would also have to invest in ddr5 ram. Idk what case you have, but it would probably be fine as long as it's at least a non oem "mid tower".
Lord_Goose@reddit
The gpu is a beast. I have that one. It's not the problem.
Most likely culprit is the processor.
An older motherboard won't have the right slot for a newer processor.
So see what is the best processor your motherboard can handle but pay attention to the cost.
Older processors can actually cost about the same as newer much better ones, because they are no longer in production. I ran into that problem.
At that point, if also true for you (I had AMD motherboard) then it's foolish to not just upgraded the motherboard and cpu...unless you are really strapped for cash.
I should also add...newer motherboards require newer gen, faster ram (e.g. ddr5 ram instead of ddr4)
So...if you do gotta upgrade the motherboard for a new generation cpu that means you need new ram too.
There is a good used parts market though you can put your old parts on fb marketplace and cut some of the cost.
I hope that helps. I just went through a similar predicament.
If you have a Microcenter near you they have killer 3 for 1 bundles where you pay 1 price for cpu, motherboard, and ram!
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Interesting-Big1980@reddit
You need to buy a new combo of RAM, CPU and motherboard
BillDStrong@reddit
Because no one mentioned it, the reason they are all recommending upgrades is that is the fastest CPU that will go to the motherboard. So, there is no upgrade path for the current system there.
You don't mention if it has an SSD or HDD for storage. With it being that beefy of a machine from the time, I will assume an SSD, but is it an NVMe?
Switching to an NVMe drive would be a perf boost, but not enough to boost the framerate.
Also, have you tried using framegen/upscaling? I don't play Marvel, but it is new enough it should have it. At the same time, if it is NVidia only upscaling/framegen, look into optiscaler and friends to make it work on the AMD cards.
jasons7394@reddit
Well considering you have a great GPU now, and that CPU is less important as resolution goes up...something else is wrong.
Do you have the monitor plugged into the GPU or Mobo?
Did you clean the previous drivers with DDU and install latest with AMD Adrenaline?
No-Flight9785@reddit (OP)
Plugged into GPU. I installed AMD adrenaline. Also, CPU is so old it wouldn’t let me update to Windows 11.
kermityfrog2@reddit
It won't let you upgrade officially, but you can install the LTSC IoT version of Win 11 no problem. I just did it a couple of weeks ago with my i7 4790K (even older than your processor) and it's working like a dream - no AI or other junkware.
People are telling you all sorts of things about bottlenecking, but realistically, you may be fine at 1440. I was previously using a i7 2600K paired with a RTX 2070 and playing many games at 3440x1440 and getting a playable 40fps on Space Marine 2. Obviously much higher fps on less demanding games.
PogTuber@reddit
Make sure you Update the drivers first.
Cuddle_X_Fish@reddit
Genuine advice for gaming you could be fine. Just put the GPU in and see if it helps. Lots of old CPUs are fine. The pcie bandwidth should be fine but that's your real limit. It's definitely going to improve and you can use Rufus to make a windows 11 upgrade tool that bypasses secure boot and tpm requirements. Only after testing it with the new GPU would I consider anything else. Also look out for some tight 3600 ddr4 ram Intel benefits not as much as razer but my 8700k one gen newer had a noticeable bump. Though at the time I didn't know what xmp was and how to use it. I would go these routes before deciding the pc was done and a new one is needed.
Warcraft_Fan@reddit
1080 is likely the limit of the monitor, upgrading GPU doesn't increase monitor's resolution.
You would need new CPU and motherboard, and you probably have DDR4 memory in that old PC that can't be transferred so new memory too. Definitely a new power supply, most of the basic and mid-range don't have 10 years warranty and aren't sure to be reliable after 9 years.
If you have a Costco membership, check them for a computer on clearance sale. The price for new memory and SSD are very high due to AI bubble and a whole new computer can be expensive. Costco occasionally have a deal that makes it much cheaper than to build one from scratch.
dreas_yo@reddit
You want 1440p but the question I do not see is... what is your monitor? Is it even 1440p? hz?
Jase_the_Muss@reddit
What GPU was in it before? Was it Nvidia? I would use DDU to completly nuke any older drivers and also clear any driver caches. Even when I upgraded from a 30series to a 5080 I had a few performance issues in some games. Deleting all old driver info and forcing a recompile of the shaders fixed everything issue wise with Call of Duty, Rivals, Wukong and Doom Dark Ages.
CPU/MOBO/RAM probably still will need upgrading soon but at 1440p I don't think it should hold you back as much as it is. I've Def seen older CPUs albeit with higher cores and thread still kill it at higher resolution with a newer similar level GPU.
mattmaster68@reddit
OP: seriously, don’t skimp out on a GOOD PSU. THEY’RE NOT ALL EQUAL.
Check out Zac’s PSU Tier List. I use the Montech Century II 850w iirc. An A-tier PSU found for ~$90 on Amazon last I checked
AIgoonermaxxing@reddit
The CPU is very old, you'll definitely want something newer. Unfortunately, this means replacing pretty much everything but the RAM and the power supply, and given that you just gave her a 9070 XT, you'll probably need a new power supply anyway.
What's your budget looking like? You can get a much newer CPU that still works with your old RAM (which is probably ideal given how expensive RAM is nowadays), and your options would be something from the Ryzen 5000 series (maybe a 5600X or 5800X) or something from Intel's 12th-14th generations (I'd recommend the 14600K).
captainstormy@reddit
Even if OP goes with an AM4 or LGA1200 system that ram is super old and pretty slow by DDR4 standards of those platforms. I'd still upgrade it.
majestic_ubertrout@reddit
Before you spend serious money on a new machine make sure you're plugging the video cable into the right place, as mentioned. Also check your CPU temperatures. The 7700k has some power still but runs hot. Is it using the stock cooler or something better?
Codys_friend@reddit
These recommend good cpu and gpu combos: https://youtu.be/3LRLSISnLc4?si=tMzu6QiVVXFZ_mvy https://youtu.be/yTcafMF-4dk?si=Si7gGo2R4lnj4nIg https://youtu.be/wrNMVMlgBe8?si=LIEn54i9zdDC7xi8
These are examples of builds with a 9070xt in them: https://youtu.be/rP7OW03pWOc?si=XOkWWsy3E8CfHYY- https://youtu.be/E7ahg9atpVE?si=xWCE0Y4Thezj1oZ7 https://youtu.be/nx9Dq2fS78s?si=bKhxTx1X7fgyD11M https://youtu.be/Zn8LCjM-xK4?si=PeO80SWK-dzGpCBR
I wish you success with the build. And more importantly, with keeping your GF happy!
Plastic-Suggestion95@reddit
Just make sure you put the hdmi/dp cable into the gpu . Its a pretty common mistake that people plug it into the motherboard and then they are wondering why their games barely run
Powerful_Physics1780@reddit
Are you near a microcenter? That'd be the first step. Look for a cpu/ram/Mobo combo. If you don't have a microcenter near you, newegg would be second option for a combo. You can probably keep the case, but enter your parts into a power supply calculator (newegg has one) and make sure the combo you pick will work with it.
mauri3205@reddit
Alternatively to other comments, you can return the GPU and replace with something cheaper so you can put money into the rebuild. Depends on how cash strapped you are.
VersaceUpholstery@reddit
CPU/MOBO/RAM need to be upgraded to something relevant today. Probably a new cpu cooler. 7700k is too slow for how powerful a 9070 XT is. The bottleneck is actually much worse at 1080p, and leaving it at 1440p is likely better in this situation.
If marvel rivals is not on an SSD, it’s literally unplayable from my own testing. Get ample SSD storage to make sure all your games are on SSDs today.
Make sure your PSU can handle all these upgrades. If the PSU is equally as old as the 7700k, or past the warranty, please just get a new quality one to power all your new components
We are currently in a time where GPU, RAM, and SSD prices are heavily inflated, so it may be wise to look at used products too.
So all in all, you basically just need a new PC at this point to keep up with the 9070 XT and today’s gaming requirements.
Equal_Magician_546@reddit
You’ll need to upgrade the platform thats in the pc. The cpu is very outdated. To upgrade you’ll need a new mobo, cpu, ram, and possibly a better psu. Most recommend any cpu on the am5 platform. You’ll see a noticeable jump in performance and get most of the performance out of that 9070xt. Any Ryzen 5 should be good enough for just gaming but if you need more cores the 7700x or 9700x are great for there price aswell. If you want to spend a bit more the x3d chips like the 7800x3d or 9800x3d are pretty much the best out there for gaming.
yeet_suace@reddit
The 9070XT is a beast, but it’s being bottlenecked by that i7-7700K and can’t perform to its true potential. I’d recommend upgrading to at least AM4/LGA1200 and a beefier CPU that can hang with the 9070XT.
spookyd69@reddit
For marvel rival im pretty sure you wanna get a powerful cpu, something like a 7800x3d for smooth 1440p experience. And well 32gb ram.
But this is not upgrading anymore, its building a new pc lol
Her cpu is too weak for the 9070xt, especially at 1080p.