Deciding whether to buy new or upgrade current setup
Posted by KaprieSun@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 11 comments
Recently, my PC has been acting very slowly when multitasking on Chrome or doing light video editing. I bought it prebuilt/refurished back in 2023 and am at a crossroads of whether I should upgrade or buy new. I use my PC every day and would like something much faster and more responsive. When it comes to gaming, I have no issues with maxing settings. I don't game much, but play mostly GTA, Call of Duty, Madden, Forza, and other games like that.
Current Setup
CPU: Intel i7-10700F 2.90 GHz
CPU FAN: Coolmaster Watercooler
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12 GB)
RAM: HyperX 32GB DDR4 2400 MT/s
STORAGE: 1 TB PCIe SSD + 4 TB Toshiba External HD (Very Slow)
MONITORS: 27" Acer SB2 Essential - SB272U EBIIP, Asus VZ27EHF 27" 100Hz LCD, onn 22" FHD 100hz
What would you guys recommend?
HankSpank@reddit
This is still a pretty solid computer my guy. Have you maintained it properly? It shouldn’t be slow doing the things you said.
Have you dusted out the PC recently? What are your temps? You’re also at the point where a thermal paste replacement on the CPU (and maybe GPU) can help. Have you tried reinstalling Windows? Windows reinstall on 10 and 11 is super easy because it lets you keep your files, it takes maybe an hour or two to get it back to exactly how you had it before, minus years of bloat.
Just for reference, you have a nicer computer than mine and mine feels very snappy still, despite it being from 2019. I just maintain it and did a fresh Windows reinstall a few months ago.
KaprieSun@reddit (OP)
Yeah I haven’t done well maintaining it or dusting etc. Maybe I need to do that and refresh windows
HankSpank@reddit
I think that’s smart. Feel free to throw money at the problem if you want shiny new things, but if it’s my computer and my wallet I’d spend an afternoon cleaning and installing.
aminy23@reddit
Run an SSD + CPU benchmark.
SSDs can wear out and slow down with age, and video editing can wreck low-mid quality ones quickly.
Poor AIO performance could be causing the CPU to thermal throttle.
For an upgrade you can look at 12th/14th Gen Intel where even a 12600KF or 14400F will outperform any CPU your motherboard could handle: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/4625vs5837vs3904vs3730vs3733/Intel-i5-12600KF-vs-Intel-i5-14400F-vs-Intel-i9-11900K-vs-Intel-i9-10900K-vs-Intel-i7-10700K
And it can cost surprisingly little if you sell your old CPU/motherboard.
Are you sure the RAM is 2400 and it's not just an issue like XMP not being enabled?
KaprieSun@reddit (OP)
I would have to check on the last question about the ram because I am unsure
OkSystem455@reddit
When was the last fresh install of Windows?
KaprieSun@reddit (OP)
Man, I’ve never done one. You think that’s the issue?
reckless150681@reddit
I would very slightly lean towards upgrade.
It's because you have 32GB of RAM. It's a bit slow, and it's older, but you already have it -- and right now, memory prices are expensive so having to buy new RAM really sucks.
The reason I only "very slightly" lean towards upgrade is that upgrading with DDR4 RAM is pretty tough -- there aren't a lot of good options that are amazing value for the money.
KaprieSun@reddit (OP)
What would you upgrade on my build?
Urdnot_Flexx@reddit
What’s your budget in total for upgrades or new build?
KaprieSun@reddit (OP)
I’d probably say $1000-1500