Help with a gaming computer - is it worth upgrading?

[Erasculio]

Hello,

Years ago I have bought a computer with help from this forum (this post, all the way back in 2011!). The computer is getting old and some parts are breaking, so I would like to replace it, but I'm not sure my options are good enough.

Right now, my best option is to buy a computer from Dell with the following specs:

XPS 8920

• Intel Core i7-7700K 4.5 GHz
• Windows 10
• RAM: 16GB, DDR4, 2400MHz
• Hard disk 01: 256GB M.2 Solid State Drive
• Hard disk 02: 2 TB (7200 RPM)
• Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1070, 8GB GDDR5,

My current computer is:

Alienware Aurora

• Intel Core i7-2600k 9MB cache overclocked turbo boost to 4,1GHz
• Windows 7 Ultimate Original 64-bit
• RAM: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz (4x2GB)
• Hard disk 01: 256GB RAID 0 (2 x 256GB SATA 3Gb/s) Solid State Drive
• Hard disk 02: SATA with 1TB (1024GB) 7200 RPM 3.0Gb/s - 32MB cache
• Graphics card: 2xATI Radeon HD 6950 2GB each w/ CrossFireX™

Answering some questions from the sticky in this forum:

1. This computer will be used for work (nothing important) and gaming, hopefully with high settings.
2. Don't worry about budget, we're in different countries and currency conversion is insane.
3. I'm in Brazil.
4. I'm buying everything from Dell. That's mostly because we have tons of unreliable sellers, so I'm paying more for reliability and the warranty.
7. No overclocking.
8. Resolution of 1900x1200

Is it worth upgrading, or would it be better to keep my current computer?

 

[Ken g6]

An upgrade in general looks like a good idea. The only thing I would note is that 6-core and higher processors are suddenly becoming mainstream, after years of stagnation at 4 cores. So unless you're only playing older games, you might want to consider either the new Intel 6-cores (theoretically launched, but practically unobtainable) or a Ryzen 8-core.

 

[XiandreX]

An upgrade in general looks like a good idea. The only thing I would note is that 6-core and higher processors are suddenly becoming mainstream, after years of stagnation at 4 cores. So unless you're only playing older games, you might want to consider either the new Intel 6-cores (theoretically launched, but practically unobtainable) or a Ryzen 8-core.

I agree with this, investing in an older platform is not smart, and we are entering a new era where 4 core cpu's are being replaced with 6 core units.
It is also tied to what your budget is at the moment.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

If you can get an Dell Aurora they have i7 8700 as option.

Considering how many years you got out of your last Dell box I think it's worth it.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Agree with above. You have a solid system and a new rig won't be completely night and day, but it's still a worthwhile upgrade. Hex core i7 is the way to go, going forward, (budget permitting, otherwise Ryzen is solid) and if you're set on buying from Dell, then that's what it is.

My one caveat is that I'd probably try to find budget room for a >=500GB SSD and 32GB of RAM. But those are possible future upgrades, too. (Don't need to do it right now if you're not going to benefit from them right away.)

 

[XiandreX]

Agree with above. You have a solid system and a new rig won't be completely night and day, but it's still a worthwhile upgrade. Hex core i7 is the way to go, going forward, (budget permitting, otherwise Ryzen is solid) and if you're set on buying from Dell, then that's what it is.

My one caveat is that I'd probably try to find budget room for a >=500GB SSD and 32GB of RAM. But those are possible future upgrades, too. (Don't need to do it right now if you're not going to benefit from them right away.)

Unfortunately with current ram prices, this is not an option for most people, hopefully pricing will go down in the not too distant future

 

[DaveSimmons]

For gaming, 16 GB will be fine for many years especially at 1900x1200.

Getting the Coffee Lake 6-core i7-8700 would be a much better upgrade for future-proofing since you can always add more RAM later. You can't upgrade to Coffee Lake if you have an i7-7700 with Z270 motherboard.

 

[wendellhill]

Hello, Erasculio, I am also using Alienware Aurora R5 Prebuilt Gaming PC Specs

• Processor: Intel Core i7 6700k
• Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1070
• Memory: 64GB DDR4
• Storage: 1 GB SSD, 4 TB Hard Drive
• Power Supply: 1000W PSU

So, you are from Brazil and want to buy in Dell. Well, Its all about personal preferences. If your Budget is over $3000, you will get good Gaming PC approximately for next 5 years. Dell is Good why don't you try in Corsair? There are much best gaming pc available in Corsair. If Will change my PC, then I will go with Corsair products. Corsair One Compact is one of the best in the list of Gaming PC. About Corsair there are some articles on https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393552,00.asp, https://www.reviewsdir.com/best-gaming-pc/ and http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc/10-of-the-best-gaming-pcs-you-can-buy-in-2015-1304263 read reviews on it. Hope this will be helpful for you.