Question Big-time upgrade for Power spec G211

[afterwork]

Hello, I plan to update a 15 year old desktop PC with a new motherboard, CPU, GPU, RAM and power supply, as well as any required cooling systems or heat sink. I am just keeping the storage, case, and good old optical drive. Can someone recommend what to buy? Here is the current setup. I would like to go to 24 or 32GB RAM and only need a mid level graphics card for moderate level photo editing and older games. The current GPU is a Radeon HD 6900 series. Thanks!

Operating System	Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)	Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
Model	powerspec G211	powerspec G211
Processor	Intel Core i7-960 @ 3.21 GHz 1 Processor, 4 Cores, 8 Threads	Intel Core i7-960 @ 3.21 GHz 1 Processor, 4 Cores, 8 Threads
Processor ID	GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 26 Stepping 5	GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 26 Stepping 5
Processor Codename	Bloomfield	Bloomfield
Processor Package	Socket 1366 LGA	Socket 1366 LGA
L1 Instruction Cache	32.0 KB x 4	32.0 KB x 4
L1 Data Cache	32.0 KB x 4	32.0 KB x 4
L2 Cache	256 KB x 4	256 KB x 4
L3 Cache	8.00 MB x 1	8.00 MB x 1
Motherboard	Intel Corporation DX58SO2	Intel Corporation DX58SO2
Northbridge	Intel X58 13	Intel X58 13
Southbridge	Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) 00	Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) 00
BIOS	Intel Corp. SOX5820J.86A.0888.2012.0129.2203	Intel Corp. SOX5820J.86A.0888.2012.0129.2203
Memory	12.00 GB DDR3 SDRAM

 

[punkncat]

Wouldn't recommend keeping any of that system. Storage is going to be unreliable due to age and the case isn't going to have front panel connectors useful for today's motherboards.

What is your budget and where are you shopping?

 

[afterwork]

Wouldn't recommend keeping any of that system. Storage is going to be unreliable due to age and the case isn't going to have front panel connectors useful for today's motherboards.

What is your budget and where are you shopping?

Thanks. I want to spend around $1,500 or less and I plan to buy at Newegg or Microcenter. I would be open to other stores & sites as well. This upcoming weekend is a tax holiday for my state.

 

[COLGeek]

Agreed with @punkncat , your old rig should be fully retired in terms of a new rig.

See here for how to ask for advice for a new system.

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[punkncat]

Thanks. I want to spend around $1,500 or less and I plan to buy at Newegg or Microcenter. I would be open to other stores & sites as well. This upcoming weekend is a tax holiday for my state.

If you have a nearby MicroCenter, go there and take advantage of one of the combo deals. I would check against Newegg on some of the other stuff like storage and power supplies and so on but there is simply no beating those combos so long as you are ok with the limited choices on motherboard. Often you can even get them with decent memory.

 

[Eximo]

https://www.microcenter.com/product...ies-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle

Most of this you can get at Microcenter. Chassis with optical drive bay, not so much, as well as the CPU cooler will need to be ordered.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($399.99)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($0.00)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($0.00)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.99)
Video Card: PowerColor Reaper Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.99)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2025) 750 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1210.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-04 13:46 EDT-0400