Replacing Graphics Card

[Aeronys]

Hello all.

My graphics card just died this morning, and I'd like some help figuring out what I should replace it with, or even if it's just time to build a new PC.

My current PC is just over 5 years old, so I'm wondering if I should start over rather than gradually replace everything piece by piece.

This is my current build:

CPU: Intel Core I5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
GPU: Radeon 7870 *DEAD*
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Z68 DDR3 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 2PCI HDMI SLI SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws 4X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3

I'm really not sure whether it's wiser to just replace the graphics card and try to hold out for another couple years before building a new PC, or if I should just start fresh now.

Any advice? My PC is used primarily for gaming.

Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, you could replace it, in which case I would recommend a 6/8-core Ryzen or Skylake-X CPU, but have you ever overclocked your 2500K? If not, then keep it and do that, and get another GPU. Prices right now for GPUs are elevated due to the mining craze, though.

 

[Aeronys]

I used to overclock it, but stopped after a while because any time my computer crashed it blamed overclock g and turned it off. Why does it make a difference though? Is the rationale that if so haven't I can give myself a boost that way, or that if so have my CPU is that much closer to death?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, I don't know if your CPU is closer to death, but it's more alon
At stock, it's only equivalent to a $64 (list) G4560 KBL Pentium CPU.
g the lines of necessary performance for gaming. At 4.5Ghz, a 2500K is a viable gaming CPU.

Edit: Yeah, I was going to mention the PSU might need replacing soon too, but I was on my tablet and was trying to keep it brief.

 

[bigboxes]

I'd replace the whole thing. However, for the time being, I'd start with replacing the video card with something that you'd put in the new build. That way you can move that to the new machine when you can afford the parts and use your old computer immediately. After the video card, I'd replace the power supply. At a minimum of five years, that part is on the downside. You can replace that sooner as it's price/usability is not going to change much. Just get one that has the latest CPU compatibility requirements. Save the mobo/ram/cpu purchase for last. You'll want to test them all together.

 

[Aeronys]

Okay, thanks. Makes sense! I'm not sure I can get it to 4.5, but I think I used to clock it at 4.4.

What sort of graphics card would you recommend I get to replace my dead one?

 

[Aeronys]

Oh, okay. Well I'm pretty okay for rebuilding right now, so I think I'll build a new pc and start a new thread to get help doing that. Thanks guys!

 

[Torn Mind]

I consider it a waste to prematurely retire "quality" PSUs that have not shown signs of premature failure. What is the purpose of paying more for longevity if the part is terminated from executing its purpose far too prematurely?

Not only that, but you also went high on wattage for a single GPU system, so the loss in wattage capacity gives you plenty of breathing room even after accounting for deterioration of capacitors.

 

[VirtualLarry]

What is the purpose of paying more for longevity if the part is terminated from executing its purpose far too prematurely?

Uhh, so that it does NOT "terminate" your remaining parts, or new parts, pre-maturely?

I pre-emptively replace client HDDs around the three-year mark too. (Ok, I don't really have any rigs with "client HDDs" any more, they're all SSD. But that was my replacement schedule, when I did use HDDs as primary storage.)

For my servers and NAS units, I feel slightly safer running them until near death, or at least until they start throwing SMART errors or show re-allocated sectors. I think.

 

[Torn Mind]

Uhh, so that it does NOT "terminate" your remaining parts, or new parts, pre-maturely?

I pre-emptively replace client HDDs around the three-year mark too. (Ok, I don't really have any rigs with "client HDDs" any more, they're all SSD. But that was my replacement schedule, when I did use HDDs as primary storage.)

For my servers and NAS units, I feel slightly safer running them until near death, or at least until they start throwing SMART errors or show re-allocated sectors. I think.

Except that one of the reasons a so-called high quality PSU is determined to be high quality is that it won't take out everything else when it dies. It's a common reason used by people to advise others to not buy bad PSUs and even by some to replace brand new OEM units under the assumption that OEMs will always toss garbage in their units, which is not necessarily true at all. In fact, it could be THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON since the other reasons are far less crushing to the user's pocketbook and psychological well-being. Low efficiency results in a warm room, noise, and a bigger wallop on the power bill. Tight voltage regulation? Most people don't even watch that. System stability? Yes, but 90mV of ripple will just be as stable as 12mV. But a totally unsalvageable computer? That is the most severe consequence of a "bad" PSU.

HDDs dying results in a far more costly loss of data and this loss is inevitable regardless of who makes the drive. Having a stash at the ready is perfectly sensible. They are still useful even when sitting on a shelf because the data can be stored on them as long as no disasters occur. Whereas an idle PSU is not useful at all unless one is a trash hoarder like myself, and even though, you don't need more than 1 or 2 extra

 

[Aeronys]

Well, what I think I'm going to do is build a new PC, and give my current one to my brother. I talked to him today and he'd be interested in this. I'll use the RAM I have right now in my new build, since I just recently upgraded it, but my brother should be able to get new RAM and a budget graphic card for $150-$200, and that way nothing's being wasted.

Does this make sense?

 

[bigboxes]

Well, what I think I'm going to do is build a new PC, and give my current one to my brother. I talked to him today and he'd be interested in this. I'll use the RAM I have right now in my new build, since I just recently upgraded it, but my brother should be able to get new RAM and a budget graphic card for $150-$200, and that way nothing's being wasted.

Does this make sense?

First, I would never put a five year-old power supply in a new build. Yeah, you could do it temporarily while you set it all up. However, you want stability in your new build. I use my old Seasonic in my HTPC, but that is not mission critical.

As for your current ram, you can't use that in your new build. Today's memory controllers, built right into your CPU, support DDR4 memory. Haswell/Broadwell is the last to support DDR3. (With Skylake/Kaby Lake) Only DDR3L is technically compatible and then you'd have to find a motherboard to support that. If you're getting Skylake/Kaby Lake, Intel recommends running with DDR4 ram.

 

[Aeronys]

Oh, thanks, good to know! Good news for my brother. He won't have to buy new RAM.

Yeah, I never intended to use my old PSU for the new build, it'll just stay in the current computer when I give it to my brother.