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Computer upgrade opinions and advice

3WC3WC Posts: 1,114
in Technical Help (nuts n bolts)

Ok, I swore I would never be one of those guys who would start a thread like this, but I am needing an upgrade and I'm not sure exactly which way to go.

First of all, my computer is ancient, yes I would like to start over and get a new one, but it is just not in the budget right now. My budget is practically zero, but I think I can squeak by and save about $300 in the next few months. Maybe $400 on the high side (which is approximately what I spent on my computer originally).

So, first of all, the specs:

Operating System
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
    Intel Core i3 540 @ 3.07GHz    29 °C
    Clarkdale 32nm Technology
RAM
    12.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
    MSI 2A9C (CPU 1)
Graphics
   1024MB ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)

What do I want to do? Render in Daz Studio, obviously, with Iray, so I'm looking for an Nvidia GPU. Also I want to use Blender 2.80, which needs a 2GB GPU minimum. And maybe just maximize my RAM and CPU for general computing and a feeling of well-being :)

So my motherboard is LGA-1156, outdated I know, but with my budget limitations I am not sure I should upgrade right now. I can get a Core i7-870 renewed for less than $100. Is it worth it, or will the increase be negligible? Also can bump up to 16GB RAM for about $40-50.

For a GPU, I am looking at a new GTX 1660, which are running about $220-250. So right there I have pretty much reached my budget limit.

Or as an alternative should I just spend all my budget right now on an RTX 2060? Then down the road I can upgrade mobo, processor, etc?

Or another option I haven't considered?

Comments

  • kenshaw011267kenshaw011267 Posts: 3,805

    You need to check your PSU to start with. The GTX 1660 needs an 8 pin PCIE connector. Your PSU may not have one. You also need to check the rated oputput of it. The 1660 will add roughly 130W draw to a system so you need to know your PSU isn't something a 250W one.

    That MSI motherboard is so ancient I couldn't find specs for it but your GPU came in AGP and PCIE versions. You need to make sure you have a PCIE slot to put a new card into.

    If any those aren't right you will not be able to simply put in a 1660.

    You also need to check how many RAM slots you have. Do not just buy a 4Gb stick without knowing you have an empty slot, I'm betting your board only has 2 and they're both full.

    The i7-870 will improve performance but I'd arghue that saving the money for parts like a CPU and even the RAM that won't work in a new system would be a waste. Save that money towards the new system you'll certainly need before long.

  • 3WC3WC Posts: 1,114
    edited August 2019

    I do have a PCI-E slot, but my PSU power says it is 6+2. Something tells me that's not the same as 8? (EDIT: From what I just googled, it should work) It is a 400W psu, which I know is still on the low side.

    I have 4 RAM slots with 4GB-2GB-4GB-2GB, so I will have to replace the 2's with 4's.

    You make a good point. A new GPU and PSU could be swapped into a new computer, a new CPU and RAM cannot. That gives me something to think about.

    Post edited by 3WC on
  • magog_a4eb71abmagog_a4eb71ab Posts: 769

    Not to burst your bubble, but for $400 there's not a lot you can do, even if you buy used components. For Iray, I wouldn't get an nvidia card with less than 8Gb vram, depending on how big you intend to make your scenes. Even a 2060 with 6Gb vram will most likely put you at or above the $400 mark.

  • 3WC3WC Posts: 1,114
    magog_a4eb71ab said:

    Not to burst your bubble, but for $400 there's not a lot you can do, even if you buy used components. For Iray, I wouldn't get an nvidia card with less than 8Gb vram, depending on how big you intend to make your scenes. Even a 2060 with 6Gb vram will most likely put you at or above the $400 mark.

    Well, I am rendering with the CPU now, so even if it falls back to that, I am no worse off than I am now. It will probably be a big improvement as far as I am concerned. I don't often do big complicated scenes.

  • kenshaw011267kenshaw011267 Posts: 3,805
    3WC said:

    I do have a PCI-E slot, but my PSU power says it is 6+2. Something tells me that's not the same as 8? (EDIT: From what I just googled, it should work) It is a 400W psu, which I know is still on the low side.

    I have 4 RAM slots with 4GB-2GB-4GB-2GB, so I will have to replace the 2's with 4's.

    You make a good point. A new GPU and PSU could be swapped into a new computer, a new CPU and RAM cannot. That gives me something to think about.

    6+2 is just an older way of doing an 8 pin. It will work fine. A 400W PSU should be enough, barely.

    If it was me I'd get the PSU now and the PSU if I absolutely had to, buy the highest wattage and rating you can fit in your budget. A single graphics card gaming/rendering rig can easily get by on a 550 or 600W PSU if your budget is super tight it just doesn't leave you a lot of room to add or upgrade.

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