PC Upgrade Path Suggestions

• 

  netjock on 30/11/2024 - 09:32

  +1

  Get 32/64GB DDR4 (if your MB can handle it). Even if all new it might be under $200. Then setup ram drive. Load your working files into RAM drive and it will be a lot faster.

  I assume you can upgrade to latest AM4 processor

  Graphics. If you are only doing graphics work you might have options with Intel ARC which is lot more price reasonable than Nvidia / AMD but I don't have a thought on that.

  SSD I assume you have.

• 

  AngoraFish on 30/11/2024 - 09:34

  +1

  Your CPU is the bottleneck. Get a 5700x3d from AliExpress in one of the many deals that come up regularly https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/5700X3D You will mostly likely need to update your BIOS prior to installing. I can 100% guarantee that you will see an immediate and tangible improvement in performance.

  As someone who CADs regularly, I can assure you that you won't notice the extra RAM when CADDing. Stuttering is always poorly optimized files, which RAM absolutely will not fix for you. Vector files do not need huge amounts of RAM. It may make some difference when rendering, but I guarantee not as much as you are likely imagining.

  A new GPU may make a difference with rendering, but rendering is always slow regardless. It definitely won't make a difference when CADDing. Also, GPUs pretty much always go straight to 100% regardless of what you're doing, that's how they work.

  CADDing off an SSD will absolutely be noticeable, if you're not already. Those programs all go crazy with swap files and background saving.

  • 

    FireRunner on 30/11/2024 - 13:28

    From what I understand, the 3D cache CPUs are only better in gaming scenarios. They dont frequency boost as high so non-3D cache CPU are better for productivity workloads

    • 

      AngoraFish on 30/11/2024 - 14:14

      Essentially you are correct, yes, but the "3d" part of the chip name is not why I recommended the chip. It's just a massive bang for buck upgrade on the AM4 platform over what OP currently has. Most of what OP is doing is being processed by the CPU, not the graphics card.

      • 

        FireRunner on 30/11/2024 - 14:18

        +1

        Fair, so you’re recommending the 5700x3D instead of 5700x because it’s easier to find at a cheap price?

        • 

          AngoraFish on 30/11/2024 - 14:31

          @FireRunner: I run a 5800x on my main PC and a 5700x3D on the other. The 5700x3D runs significantly cooler (and therefore generates much less fan noise), uses less power, and hits almost identical benchmarks. If I had to buy the two chips again I'd just get two x3Ds.

          Although on paper the 5800x should be noticeably better for these kinds of applications, and costs several hundred dollars more, the difference in performance between the two chips is almost entirely theoretical, in my experience. Having said this, I haven't really investigated the 5700x specifically.

          • 

            FireRunner on 30/11/2024 - 15:29

            +1

            @AngoraFish: Yeah, no point in getting a 5800x is more expensive, uses more power with little performance gain over the 5700x.
            I think for OP's use case the 5700x would be the best option unless, assuming it can be found cheaper than the 5700x3D

          • 

            freefall101 on 30/11/2024 - 15:51

            +1

            @AngoraFish:

            and costs several hundred dollars more

            It doesn't, you can get a 5800x via the same sellers on AE for around the price a 5700x3d goes for.

            The 5700x is the chip to go for though for OP, barely any different to the 5800x and won't be any different to OPs workload, can be found for under $200.

  • 

    alterego13 on 30/11/2024 - 15:58

    Thanks for the suggestions.
    My current primary bottlenecking is with the GPU when using Twinmotion. As of now only 10% use but I can see the use increasing in the next year.

    This upgrade is going to be a short term fix until I can buy/build a new PC… possibly end of next year.

  • 

    alterego13 on 30/11/2024 - 16:11

    Thanks, yes, I have a SSD (NVMe) but files are on a network drive.
    So RAM upgrade is not going to be worthwhile?
    Which GPU would you recommend?

    • 

      GordonD on 30/11/2024 - 17:17

      +1

      files are on a network drive

      Maybe what you need isn't a faster PC but a faster network.

      Or some way of duplicating the files on a local high speed drive, like a fast SSD, at the start of the job, and duplicating the result back at the end. I have software that mirrors specific files/directories on my PC with another PC so that I'm always working on local files with fast access, and the other PC only sees the result when I finish.

• 

  stratbargain on 30/11/2024 - 10:01

  +2

  Just buy a new computer for $1500-$2000 and you're laughing. Not really worth upgrading and it sounds like it's a tax deduction anyway.

  That computer is just one big bottleneck

  • 

    alterego13 on 30/11/2024 - 15:53

    Not really an option as of now, but I wish I could.

• 

  Switchblade88 on 30/11/2024 - 15:18

  +2

  You could throw $1k at upgrading the CPU and GPU, but at that point you'd get better value from a TechFast prebuilt

  • 

    alterego13 on 02/12/2024 - 02:53

    What would be a bang for buck config? Techfast/nebula or even self assembled… my use is listed in the main post.