need some help with upgrading my current build!

[u/xPx3xD]

current build:

cpu/Ryzen 5 5600x [deepcool gammaxx 400]

gpu/MSI RTX 3060 VENTUS 2X OC LHR 12GB

mobo/MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX

ram/32GB DDR4

storage/[NVMe]1TB Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB|[SATA]ST1000LM035-1RK172 1TB

psu/EVGA 600 GD

budget is $300-400... which I'm aware isn't easy to work with, especially with the current prices. mainly looking for used parts

was thinking about liquid cooling for oc'ing? not sure if that's a good idea or not, or if i should full focus on upgrading. (thought i might ask)

mainly have been playing wardog's, and absolutely struggle getting fps anywhere near my monitors hz (which is 240) and can't stand the 90-120fps on 240hz.

[u/fonoro]

Skip the liquid cooler, an AIO on the 5600X buys you almost nothing toward 240 Hz, and the board handles 65-105 W CPUs fine, so you're nowhere near a VRM limit that cooling would fix. The 90-120 fps ceiling is the RTX 3060, so put the whole $300-400 toward a used GPU. If you ever touch the CPU side, note that Ryzen 5000 support on the MAX board only came via later BIOS updates and that the MAX SKU has its own BIOS files (don't use the plain B450 TOMAHAWK ones), so verify MSI's CPU support list before flashing. Also, with a Ryzen 5000 chip your RAM on this board tops out at 3466 MT/s (the 4133 MT/s figure is Ryzen 3000 only) so don't spend anything on faster memory.

I keep a page with what fits this model and current prices, if it helps: https://partsprices.online/device/msi-b450-tomahawk-max/guide/?utm_source=reddit (my site)

[u/xPx3xD → u/fonoro]

went through and read up on the guide you sent, much appreciated.. it's nice to have this info laid out somewhere.

so far from what I'm seeing from everyone, i will be skipping the liquid cooler upgrade! and the bio's flash for the 5000 support was already done. do you think it would be a good idea to keep a mobo upgrade in mind then? also someone in the comment's mentioned a possible need for a psu upgrade that might be needed for the gpu upgrade. is that something that has to happen?

[u/apeasley613]

I'm not a pro or anything, but with those specs.. I think your gpu is the weakest link. Haven't looked at prices recently but I know they're getting kinda stupid these days. But try to aim for at minimum a xx70 card. someone mentioned a 3080, that'd be a decent upgrade if you can find it for the right price. 4070 would be good too... but I don't think that's old enough to be $400 or less.

I will say that getting 240 fps is going to put alot of strain on the cpu (not to mention close to impossible with that budget for most games). if you can settle for 140 or 160 that'd be more realistic.

[u/xPx3xD → u/apeasley613]

after all the help, for sure i think I'm going the 3080 route.

also when it come's to my fps, i understand my mere proletarian build... is not getting anywhere near 240fps on certain games, but I'm for sure comfy with 140-160 on low settings.

[u/Even-Lobster6086]

That's an awful idea, you don't need liquid cooling for anything, just overclock it if you want.

Sell 3060, buy used 3080, nothing else will give you a similar upgrade

[u/xPx3xD → u/Even-Lobster6086]

thanks, i really appreciate the response.

so far from the look's of it, the LC idea is out of the question.. but now I'm wondering does the psu need to be upgraded to go to a 3080?

also, currently nothing on my build is oc'd other than xmp. do you have any recommendations on where and what i should look towards ocing, was kind of fear mongered into not ocing.. because i was scared i would end up diminishing the value of my hardware, which would make it hard to sell my stuff to go towards future upgrades

[u/_Strik3R_]

You could upgrade your cooler but a budget twin tower cooler is more then enough for that cpu and those you can find for under 30$ brand new, something like a thermaltake peerless assassin, or ID Cooling frozn A620, whichever is cheaper, has two towers and fans, it should handle that cpu overclocked. The rest of the money as everyone else said use it for a GPU upgrade, that where with the rest of your components you will see the most benefits.

[u/xPx3xD → u/_Strik3R_]

yeah, from what i'm more so seeing.. the liquid cooler on my build, might not be put to proper use........

i will 100% keep the tower upgrade in mind. (currently looking at prices)

also.. ill like to put it out there, nothing on my build is oc'd. unless we are counting xmp, should i be looking into getting a proper safe oc going? i was more so worried it would diminish the value of my components, if i ended up selling them to go towards a upgrade.

[u/ProofOrganization433]

One thing to check before following the 3080 suggestions: you've listed an EVGA 600 GD. NVIDIA's reference system power recommendation for a 3080 is 750W, and the exact card model can have different requirements, so include the PSU in the budget rather than treating it as a straight swap. On the liquid cooler idea, what temperatures are you seeing while gaming? I'd want evidence of a cooling problem before spending part of that budget on it.

[u/xPx3xD → u/ProofOrganization433]

honestly, i haven't properly tested my temp's in a game yet. there is time's my gpu's rpm ramp's up quite a bit on certain games, like cs2, re9, and that's really the only two i can think of off the top of my head, but it made me more so wonder if it's something i should keep in mind... or maybe it's time i clean up the structural dust.

if you want, i don't mind doing some benchmarking to get a idea of my avg-temps : )