Upgrading from a 2011 build

[TheWorstPathfinder]

So I'm nearing the point where I'm going to upgrade my desktop. I built my current rig in 2011 and am realizing just how much work it is to get back into understanding where the PC build/parts world sits today. Looking for a build that I could keep for another 10+ years, but perhaps 5+ is a more reasonable expectation these days.

The most stressful use case for my desktop is gaming, and the current rig starting to show its age. I bought Baldur's Gate 3 and it runs on my current setup....sometimes -very- slowly. Plenty of characters with T-stances before the hardware catches up.

Here are CPU-Z screenshots of the current build:



I've done some reading. Seems for CPUs AMD > Intel at the moment. AM5 > AM4, because AM4 is aging out. If Radeon GPU, then 7900 GRE seems like a decent mix of tradeoffs. But honestly, I could be partially or completely wrong. I've come up with a prelim build. Would appreciate critique and/or if I need to provide more info for good feedback.

Here's a prelim new setup:

Part List - AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 7900 GRE - PCPartPicker

Part List - AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 7900 GRE

pcpartpicker.com

No CPU cooler because I have an existing watercooling system I'll transfer to the new rig. I'll have to get a new CPU waterblock; researching that now. I miss Swiftech.

 

[infinitevalence]

Bykski is fine for water blocks on AM4/5 because AMD just is not pushing as much power through the chips. They are not as good as EK or Swiftech but then, they are available.

Honestly great build, might want to hold off on the GPU because RX 8880's and RTX 5090's are due right around the corner and at least the RX 8800 XT is expected to have really good performance to price value.

 

[Janus67]

I don't see any major issues with the build as a whole. Although I do wonder why you have 3 separate ssds there. Why not just get 2x2TB or one 4TB nvme drive?

 

[JLK03F150]

Honestly great build, might want to hold off on the GPU because RX 8880's and RTX 5090's are due right around the corner and at least the RX 8800 XT is expected to have really good performance to price value.

I just saw a rumor article today that the Radeon RX 8800 XT might be released between mid-Oct to late-Nov 2024 with pricing expected to be $499 to $599. I know I'm intrigued.

 

[DaveB]

Still using this as my daily driver.

 

[KeeperOfTheButch]

A couple revisions I would consider. Getting a used 4070Ti over the 7900GRE. According to User Benchmark the 4070Ti is 23% faster than the 7900GRE. 23% is quite a lot for the same or less money. Changing the power supply out for one that has the PCIe 5.0 12VHPWR 600W plug built in so you don't have to use an adapter. I realize that AMD does not use this plug, but getting a PSU with one could future proof yourself for a future cleaner build. There would be no cost change on the PSU. Check out the be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850.

 

[EarthDog]

A couple revisions I would consider. Getting a used 4070Ti over the 7900GRE. According to User Benchmark the 4070Ti is 23% faster than the 7900GRE. 23% is quite a lot for the same or less money. Changing the power supply out for one that has the PCIe 5.0 12VHPWR 600W plug built in so you don't have to use an adapter. I realize that AMD does not use this plug, but getting a PSU with one could future proof yourself for a future cleaner build. There would be no cost change on the PSU. Check out the be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850.

I'm in if he's flush with cash, or it doesn't prevent him from getting other hardware. Otherwise, a properly installed adapter is fine.

Also, Userbench, as a long-time hardware reviewer, I stay away from that site. It's just not accurate in many cases.

 

[KeeperOfTheButch]

I'm in if he's flush with cash, or it doesn't prevent him from getting other hardware. Otherwise, a properly installed adapter is fine.

Also, Userbench, as a long-time hardware reviewer, I stay away from that site. It's just not accurate in many cases.

The pricing is based off his build list. The GPU would be the same or cheaper and the PSU is $4 cheaper.

Good call in User Benchmark. The cards seem to be neck and neck. Depends on what you are doing/playing.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE GPU Review & Benchmarks vs. RX 7900 XT, 7800 XT, RTX 4070 Super | GamersNexus

GPUs AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE GPU Review & Benchmarks vs. RX 7900 XT, 7800 XT, RTX 4070 Super March 11, 2024 Last Updated: 2024-03-11 Previously only released in China, the 7900 GRE is now available more widely. We put it to the test. The Highlights With 80 Compute Units, the 7900 GRE has less CUs...

gamersnexus.net

 

[EarthDog]

The pricing is based off his build list. The GPU would be the same or cheaper and the PSU is $4 cheaper.

I confused threads. Someone wanted to buy a new PSU just for the adapter, but not here, LOL!


I like Techpowerup's GPU reviews... arguably the best on the net. Here it shows the 4070Ti around 5-6% faster at 1080p/1440p.....

Sapphire Radeon RX 7900 GRE Pulse Review

The Sapphire Radeon RX 7900 GRE Pulse emerges as the best GRE model released today, offering exceptional value at AMD's MSRP of $550. Outperforming the RX 4070 Super in raster, it operates whisper-quiet, catering to gamers and enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance without exceeding their budget.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Woomack]

Good call in User Benchmark. The cards seem to be neck and neck. Depends on what you are doing/playing.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE GPU Review & Benchmarks vs. RX 7900 XT, 7800 XT, RTX 4070 Super | GamersNexus

GPUs AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE GPU Review & Benchmarks vs. RX 7900 XT, 7800 XT, RTX 4070 Super March 11, 2024 Last Updated: 2024-03-11 Previously only released in China, the 7900 GRE is now available more widely. We put it to the test. The Highlights With 80 Compute Units, the 7900 GRE has less CUs...

gamersnexus.net

As long as you don't enable RT then its +/- the same. When you do, even the RTX4070 non-Super is faster at 1080/1440p ... and uses 100W less.

The RX7900GRE looks good in reviews in terms of price/performance. I even commented on this in my review. However, it's hot, uses up to 320W with spikes up to 370W, and because of that (and cost cuts), most models are loud. I was testing Gigabyte with a large, 3-fan cooler, and sitting next to it at auto fan speed with 3x 3k+ RPM fans (almost all the time at max speed in 3D) was a pain.

 

[KeeperOfTheButch]

Seems like the 4070Ti might be the better card. Less wattage, less noise. Better RT performance to boot!

I don't see a monitor in this build. If he's on an old 1080p screen the monitor would be just as important upgrade as the rest of the build.

 

[infinitevalence]

Until AMD ships the RX 8800 XT at the end of the month...

 

[EarthDog]

Until AMD ships the RX 8800 XT at the end of the month...

Typo?

Or... where did you hear that? Everything I've seen was late 2024 or early 2025, and GPU reviewers I've talked to haven't heard a peep (which is highly unusual if the release date is two weeks away). Links!

 

[infinitevalence]

I know you dont like him, but MLID Tom has reliable information. His sources say AMD is ready for high volume shipping in October.

 

[JLK03F150]

The rumors (leaks) I've read, including MLID, are maybe Oct or Nov release, or a CES reveal & release in Jan '25.

 

[EarthDog]

His sources say AMD is ready for high volume shipping in October.

Thanks for the link.

Here's my take...

... they didn't announce anything at Gamescon as MLID theorized/his source said...

... we're halfway through Sept. without a peep...

... we haven't seen squat for performance leaks, or an official announcement...

... the GPU reviewers I've asked (2 - one this morning) haven't heard a thing yet.

Reading my tea leaves, if we see these in October, I'd be surprised. My money is late 4Q (Dec) or 1Q 25.

 

[infinitevalence]

Thanks for the link.

Here's my take...

... they didn't announce anything at Gamescon as MLID theorized/his source said...

... we're halfway through Sept. without a peep...

... we haven't seen squat for performance leaks, or an official announcement...

... the GPU reviewers I've asked (2 - one this morning) haven't heard a thing yet.

Reading my tea leaves, if we see these in October, I'd be surprised. My money is late 4Q (Dec) or 1Q 25.

Fair, my end of the month is probably overly optimistic. I would still wait unless i was short a GPU and could not game for another month. Especially since it seems the power issues of the RX 7xxx series has been solved/improved and RT performance is expected to match.

 

[TheWorstPathfinder]

Bykski is fine for water blocks on AM4/5 because AMD just is not pushing as much power through the chips. They are not as good as EK or Swiftech but then, they are available.

Honestly great build, might want to hold off on the GPU because RX 8880's and RTX 5090's are due right around the corner and at least the RX 8800 XT is expected to have really good performance to price value.

Thanks for the referral to the Bykski water block line. I hadn't heard of them. What reading I had done was leading me toward an Alphacool CPU block, but it looks like some of these Bykski blocks are 1/2 the price. I don't need RBG, just a sufficiently good CPU block.

Alphacool Core 1 Black

Product information Alphacool presents the Core 1, a new generation of CPU water cooling. The latest desktop processors are continuously becoming more powerful, but also produce more and more waste heat. The Core 1 reliably solves this problem with the help of its entirely new 3D-Jetplate, which...

www.frozencpu.com

 

[infinitevalence]

Thanks for the referral to the Bykski water block line. I hadn't heard of them. What reading I had done was leading me toward an Alphacool CPU block, but it looks like some of these Bykski blocks are 1/2 the price. I don't need RBG, just a sufficiently good CPU block.

Alphacool Core 1 Black

Product information Alphacool presents the Core 1, a new generation of CPU water cooling. The latest desktop processors are continuously becoming more powerful, but also produce more and more waste heat. The Core 1 reliably solves this problem with the help of its entirely new 3D-Jetplate, which...

www.frozencpu.com

Alphacool still makes good stuff.

I will say, these days mid to high end air is as good as mid level water cooling. something like a peerless assassin heatsink will match an older 240mm rad with higher reliability and less maintenance.

 

[EarthDog]

There's absolutely no chance in September, bud. And if I were to place odds on October, a snowball's chance in Hell.

Like you said, unless the OP NEEDS a GPU with this upgrade, I'd wait too, as both camps should have something out by the end of 2024 or 1Q 2025. I wouldn't hold my breath for October though...