Recommendation on Upgrade to Gaming PC

hippo2s on 22/10/2023 - 21:08
Last edited 22/10/2023 - 21:56 by 1 other user

Hey folks, looking for advice/confirmation to my thinking.

PC currently running 12100F + 3060 Ti + 16GB DDR4. Runs Cyberpunk 2077 fine (75fps or so) but it's struggling a bit with Starfield, I believe I am CPU bound atm as CPU usage is mostly 50~ 80% during play and I am experiencing random freezing as a result when CPU peaks.

Naturally that would lead me to think of upgrading the CPU to a higher core count 12th gen or a 13th gen CPU. But Starfield is really the only game that I am CPU bound so I am wondering if longer term it'd be more worthwhile to upgrade the GPU to say a 4060 Ti + live with Starfield at lower graphics setting.

Would be looking to spend no more than $300 out of pocket, which I believe if I manage to sell the replaced parts both a decent 13th gen CPU or that 4060 Ti would be affordable.

Your thoughts on which I should upgrade?

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 22/10/2023 - 21:42
    +2

    I think you just need any CPU that has at least 6 Performance cores. Most games actually will demand at least 6 cores, the reign of quad core CPU's for gaming is well and truly over in 2023 (maybe even earlier than that).

    How many CPU cores you should get is really dictated by how much money you're prepared to spend, I've seen the 13600KF go down as low as $400 on eBay, and the older gen Intel Core i5-12600KF less than $300 as a Prime exclusive deal

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 20:04

      Thank you for the advice, I did seriously consider that deal when I saw it but I decided I didn't need 10 cores as I don't have other games that seems to be so CPU bound.

      Didn't felt like spending that for 1 game.

  • garetz on 22/10/2023 - 22:02
    +4

    There is very little difference between a 3060ti and a 4060ti if at all.
    you are better off going up in the same gen to 3070 or 3080.

    as for the cpu get the best you can afford, as long as the mobo supports it, your best bet is a 13600k

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 20:05

      That is good advice, I checked benchmark of the 2 videocard and it's not worth it.

      Will see if I can score a better 12th gen in the markets.

  • AustriaBargain on 22/10/2023 - 22:39

    You sure your cooler isn't caked with dust/thermal paste hasn't dried out?

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 19:49

      Nah, pretty recent build under 12 months old… kicking myself now for cheaping out on the CPU

  • Richardc on 22/10/2023 - 23:12
    +1

    upgrade to 13400f first

  • CrispyChrispy on 23/10/2023 - 01:32
    +1

    NVIDIA cards struggle a lot more in Starfield than AMD cards right now due to poor optimisations.

    I feel a CPU upgrade (can you stretch to a i5 13XXX?) would give you better results overall though than a GPU upgrade; especially if you're only planning to jump from a 3060 Ti to a 4060 Ti.

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 19:50
      +1

      It does sound like CPU is the way to go, thank you for the advice.

  • povogamer on 23/10/2023 - 02:14

    You should state the resolution of your monitor.

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 20:07

      1440p, but I mostly do 1080p as it feels like I need an upgrade

  • OMGJL on 23/10/2023 - 02:36

    let me ask my crystal ball about the rest of your PC spec and will get back to you shortly.

    • theHMASfriendship on 23/10/2023 - 03:15
      +1

      How did you go

      • OMGJL on 23/10/2023 - 03:28

        crystal ball ain't working because op didn't want to share his spec to us.

        • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 19:52

          What others details? I thought I gave the details that matter already? +Samsung 980 SSD, B660 m-itx Asrock mobo…

          • OMGJL on 23/10/2023 - 21:15
            -1

            @hippo2s: Cool, now we know your mobo and ssd, we yet to find out your cooler, your mobo setting on power limit, your memory's frequency and timing, and if it's normal x8 bit width or dog shit x16, and the rest of the parts list and a photo of your case. Maybe also CPU ,GPU, mobo Mos temp

            • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 23:02

              @OMGJL: Wow ok this is certainly alot more information than I realised as needed in order to decide on CPU or GPU to upgrade. I won't waste you time, as it is clear the general consensus is to upgrade 1. CPU 2. Don't bother so I am taking both of those routes I guess by stopping playing Starfield for now (option 2) and watch for a good deal on a 12th or 13th gen CPU (option 1).

              • OMGJL on 24/10/2023 - 02:00
                +1

                @hippo2s: in my book it's more likely power delivery throttle, power limit, or RAM bottleneck, alongside CPU upgrade. GPU on the other hand have a small chance of making things worse.

                without a big picture, a lot of the comment in your thread is considered invalid in my book.

                • hippo2s on 24/10/2023 - 07:35
                  -1

                  @OMGJL: Uhm… everything is on 'auto'? LOL that's as far as my nerdiness as affords.

                  RAM is a pair of Kingston Fury CL16 DDR4 8GB (totalling 16GB) at 3200. Yes, configured in dual rank and mobo is running them at 3200.

                  When you say power delivery as in the wattage of PSU? Cooler Master 750W Bronze. Otherwise it's powered 'on' and there's no instability from the system.

                  Sounds like I need to dig into BIOS for some of this stuff?

                  The system runs other games perfectly fine like Cyberpunk and Death Stranding and I even do some light duty video editing fine as well, so I didn't think those finer details mattered.

                  • OMGJL on 24/10/2023 - 07:51
                    -1

                    @hippo2s: That's as far as my support goes when you don't think detail mattered. Good luck!

  • Hybroid on 23/10/2023 - 02:51

    Not really worth upgrading just for Starfield that isn't optimised on nvidia cards anyway. Wait for a larger leap in performance to upgrade.

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 19:58

      Thanks. Yeah I am kind of giving up on Starfield ATM. Especially if I can't get a decent upgrade within my budget. Just have to keep myself entertained for the time being.

      Waiting till Bethesda release more patches and enhancements. I saw the game even tried to push FPS on the loading screen …so funny.

  • theHMASfriendship on 23/10/2023 - 03:25

    If Starfield is your goal your CPU is probably holding you back.

  • solidussnake on 23/10/2023 - 13:55
    +1

    Have a look on marketplace for a 12700 or just get a 13400 easy pez

  • Lexar ANZ Chris on 23/10/2023 - 19:54

    unfortunately I can only have 1 account on Ozbargain and it is my work account now.
    tied with this brand I can't say bad things about Starfield in the way I wanted to.

    So I'm just politely say this…unless some modder made some amazing mods, otherwise save your 300 bucks, that game is not worth it.

    • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 20:00

      Hahaha…go on and say it. Join in with me.

      Starfield sucks ass! At the moment atleast anyway.

      I didn't realise why I couldn't get into it besides the random freezing till I watch Angry Joe's review then it all made sense. Funny thing is since watching that video YouTube has pushed many more similar negative reviews to me.

      I am moderately hopeful that they will turn it around, they can't afford another flop like F76. Or maybe I am too optimistic having seen how cyberpunk 2077 got turned around.

      • Lexar ANZ Chris on 23/10/2023 - 20:03

        I am a game collector, any modern major titles, I will buy the collector's edition.
        Starfield's collector's edition watch is fabulous to say the least.

        But the game itself can only be described as fantastic if it was realeased around the time of <Fallout 3>

        • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 20:14

          I see! I am surprised there's no backlash against Bethesda yet. I am not usually a RPG player but thought I could get into it. I do love all the future sci-fi stuff and space so thought it's right up my alley.

          But after close to 50 hours of running around planets…scanning for stuff…and getting lost countless times as the directions are crap…gonna park the game for now.

          Oh and don't get me started on interface screens and loading screens…I had never used the Tab key so much in my entire 30 years of using a computer!

  • hippo2s on 23/10/2023 - 20:17

    Thanks all for your input.

    Sounds like the consensus of GPU is good for now.

    Will park the thought of upgrading CPU for now as I also feel it is not worth it for just this … Currently unenjoyable game. Even if it ran more smoothly…i don't think I can get over all the other game design issues. Will monitor 2nd hand market or a deal for a cheap 12th gen.

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