[SOLVED] Can anyone help with advice, and recommendations, to beef up my old rig.

[Daynhg]

Hello.
A thank you in advance, for any help.

And forgive if I have posted on the wrong forum, I will gladly move if needed.

I am in a bit of a fix at the moment. I wonder could anyone give me advice, and I apologise in advance for the long,- (But Ill keep it as short as possible) -post.

My current system is old.
And I cant afford the current prices of a new GPU, with all the corresponding hardware. So Am trying to find out the best components to help me through the next year or so.

My PC. (none of it is OC'ed.)
• Windows 10 pro 64bit
• Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5 motherboard.
• NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980ti
• Intel i5 4690k
• 32gb DDR3 1333 ram
• XTR XFS 650 PSU
• Case Fractal Design. (I could not see a specific version.) But thing its a Define R5
• 2 x SSD, and 1 HDD.

I think the PSU is on the way out, as twice in the past couple of months the PC would not restart, after being on.
And only after a while (I assume cooled down) would It start / power-up.

For a 6 year old PC, its pretty incredible, and runs both games, and blender really well.

But I want / need to as well as replace the PSU.
And would like to gve the PC a little more oomph, if possible
So was looking at replacing the PSU,
And if possible the CPU.

The CPU I looked at was the..
Intel Core i7 9700K 3.6GHz Octa Core.

But have learned since that my motherboard does not take Intel 300 Series Chipsets.

So,- (and sorry for such a long into, just trying to cover the information bases.

What would be the most cost effective. (as-in cheap, but reliable) PSU? to replace the XTR XFS 650

And with the most powerful CPU, I could buy that would be compatible for my existing motherboard?

Or would I be better swapping to another motherboard. (Again as cheap as possible,) but more modern, and better than existing. That would accept my old 980ti.
And then again what PSU, and CPU, should I get for that new mobo?

I would rather stay wit intel, but am not to bothered if AMD would be a better, more cost effective "Ban for buck" upgrade.

I really appreciate any help, and guidance.
Thank you.

 

[Daynhg]

Hey Nighthawk117

No no.. this was awesome!! Your last post. Thank you so much. 🥇
I was literally about to hit send on the following message.

When i saw your new message. I have never heard of "Laptops direct." But they get top mares on WOT, and as you linked to them I am guessing they are totally legit. Becaue that £147 including VAT price tag, is almost 40 pounds more on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Core-i5-11...z+Rocket+Lake+Processor&qid=1638733331&sr=8-3

I am confused over the IGPU?
I a assuming this is "Include GPU" on the CPU.
I didnt see any link to that £169 version.
And does iGPU compliment the GPU (90ti in my case) or detract from it please?

I did ask a few more questions in the post I almost sent before seeing your brilliant recommendation for this even better CPU,
I hope you dont mind. (One of the qestions shows the price of the i5 10400f. (it was something I was going to ask you about,) but seeing this new and awesome suggestion, possibly does not need answering.)

Hey Nighthawk117
Brilliant advice, and I thank you for your continuing help. I honestly do.

And thanks for recommending the Mortar, and the Super Nova as being the ones to go for.

And I will try my existing cooler, that would save me £40, although Im not proficient at reading temperatures, I will have to read up on that, to make sure the CPU isnt overheating due to my old cooler.

I also a really appreciate you correcting me, I didn't notice I was looking at laptop ram.
And for linking the desktop ram. Id have to go for the cheaper of the two. But imagine it would be WAY more powerful than my existing 1333 DDR3.

There was point I just wanted to confirm.
When you said about my existing board being an ATX board right now, you will need to move the standoff's to accommodate the mATX board.
You just mean the fittings in the case to attach the new mobo?
If I am correct here then would I need to purchase any additional fittings?

And lastly, the point I mentioned , in the last post about a last question.
Which I will be honest, has turned into two. REALLY quickies. 🙄😉 Sorry about that.

1.
Sorry about these two quickies, they are just two points I wondered.
When I did a Intel Core i5-10400F vs i5 4690k comparison on...
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-4690K-vs-Intel-Core-i5-10400F/2432vs4079

A. (Knowing the GPU does the majority of the work, when gaming.) But having read the CPU still helps considerably.
Im not sure if you know whether modern games, and programs like Blender use all of the cores, and threads that are present on a CPU?

B. It says on that site (in the comparison) -- "Hugely faster octa-core speed." But this CPU only has 6 cores?

2.
And lastly, and this is the question referred to as THE LAST. Question. And I shall plague you with my questions no more. I promise, You have been a gold mine of information.
What is the difference between these 3 links, as they all look the same to me. They are all the i5 CPU.
But are ranging up to £30 difference in price.
Is the cheapest the same as the other two please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Core...ds=Intel+Core+i5-10400F&qid=1638732234&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/i5-10400F-...ds=Intel+Core+i5-10400F&qid=1638732234&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Core...ds=Intel+Core+i5-10400F&qid=1638732234&sr=8-3

And once again. Thank you for this superb help.

 

[Daynhg]

This was without a doubt, one of if not the most unbelievably helpful, informative, "generous in your time," and eloquently put, (that I understood 99.9% of everything you said) -replies, I have ever had, on any forum.
And I have asked a LOT of questions over the years, on many forums, from Steam, to plumbing, to modding, etc.

Thank you so much Nighthawk117
And please forgive, again the time taken, to reply.

And thank you so much, and for the explanation of what F, K etc stood for, that I was honestly scratching my head over.
The only one I knew was K was OC'ed enabled, which I never do anyway.
And, (as little as I know) I absolutely agree, I would not need the none "F" CPU, as I could not do what I want without a dedicated GPU. Hopefully in the next months / years will be upgrading to a lot more current one.

So to finally summarise, and at the risk of pushing your already incredible patience, one last time.
Could I ask you to please have a look through the below links, and confirm I am getting all the right kit form the right places.

1.
https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/intel-core-i5-11400f-socket-1200-2.6-ghz-rocket-lake-processor-bx8070811400f/version.asp?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Free Listings&utm_campaign=shopping feed&utm_content=free google shopping clicks&refsource=ldadwords&mkwid=sFcCZNCBs_dc&pcrid=537829407008&product=BX8070811400F&pgrid=125238382493&ptaid=aud-421842933780la-1529125282552&channel=googlesearch&gclid=Cj0KCQiA47GNBhDrARIsAKfZ2rA1xbmrCdNqnYkYVV3tgrENKjOAmKrk3rZcSWed6-dUc5yoKUUgZT8aAnMuEALw_wcB

2.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08X7G1394/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&th=1

3.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0845ZK8ZW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A24MK9J3VONG3Y&psc=1

4.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B085SNLSX3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

And 5.
And I know you said try my existing cooler, but as I have already overshot my highest "budget" by about £160, as well as not wanting t risk damaging the new CPU, I may as well get the new cooler you recommended.
If you say it is considerably better than my old one, it may be worth biting the bullet, and just going for it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B087VL2Z21/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A1APT7TIZZKIK4&psc=1

Am I right in the above 5 times please?


The one thing that really puzzled me, was when I went to Amazon to link the motherboard. That there are two that look identical, (Except some different colour faces, and the cheaper one, that I have included in the list above, has more ports?)
I have linked the more expensive one, with less port below, just for reference,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-MORTAR-Micro-ATX-Gaming-Motherboard/dp/B08YHTZ7Z7/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=MSI+MAG+B560M+MORTAR&qid=1638818981&sr=8-3&th=1

Thank you again for this superb help. 😀

 

[Daynhg]

Good Evening Nighthawk117
You are very welcome. And deservedly so.

Thank you so much for the further information.
You have a very keen eye, seeing that the PSU wasn't being sold by Amazon, I didn't notice that, and would push the extra 7 pounds to get it form Amazon direct. Thank you.

As to the cooler, again thank you.
I am really pleased you told me that the alternate (Be Quiet BK007)
would be almost the same "cooling" effectiveness, as my existing, and suggesting the larger one.
The RAM clearance would have concerned me, but as long as the width of the (BE QUIET BK021) goes back toward the rear of the case, I would be OK.
As the current one is MMs from the RAM.

I do like the look of the water cooler.
But had no idea where the radiator went. I watched this video.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNA34EP8C60


I know its a different cooler. But unlike this guys case which has a vented case top.
My case is, I think this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fractal-De...x=fractal+design+define+5,aps,171&sr=8-9&th=1

Which has, as you can see a solid segmented "roof."
And when the panels are taken off just leaves a metal mesh.

Two quick questions please. I hope you dont mind.,
1. Would this case be better for the air cooler? As with the water cooler, it would have no vents to stop dust.

2. Would this cooler with a larger radiator on top, and no real cover, be a lot louder than the BE QUIET BK021 Dark Rock 4 135 mm Silent Wings Fan CPU Cooler. (If this one is as effective.) Or effective enough.
What are your recommendations please.

And again, fully appreciate the brilliant help, time, and advise.

 

[Daynhg]

Nighthawk117

Once again, than you brilliant advice.

Which leave only one last question. (And thank you for the photos of the Dark Rock.)

With the .
MSI MAG B560M MORTAR WIFI Micro-ATX Gaming Motherboard

And the.. Corsair VENGEANCE LPX 64GB, taking up all 4 slots.
If the.. BE QUIET BK021 Dark Rock 4 135 mm, sits just over the first RAM slot. Would that stop that slot being used? Or would the Corsair Vengeance fit beneath the cooler.
Sorry I didnt quite understad if it would, or if the cooler stopped the use of that slot.

And if this is the case, is there a a solution? Other than having the water cooler, which, as you said, considering both the noise, and that I dont have, or could not find a dusk "roof" cover, for my case.


I did find this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CORSAIR-VENGEANCE-PC4-25600-Desktop-Memory/dp/B07Y4ZZ7LQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Corsair+VENGEANCE+LPX+64GB+2+x+32GB&qid=1638971111&sr=8-3&th=1

I found this 16GB. Is this Ram the same version, and as effective as the.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B085SNLSX3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Or would you suggest a better option please?

Again thank you so much for this literally invaluable help.

 

[Daynhg]

Hey @Nighthawk117

This was really interesting, and as usual super informative.
Thank you.

Its great to hear that I could use the Dark Rock, and have the clearance, even if its a hairs width. As I do feel more comfortable with the air cooler.

So by this result, that would mean that I actually could go with the 2 x 32gb sticks (linked before.)
Meaning, as, and when, I can afford a new GPU, I could purchase another 2 x 32GM of the same RAM, and upgrade to 128GB for help with Blender?
Assuming the "MSI MAG B560M MORTAR WIFI" motherboard would accommodate 128GB RAM.
Is this right please?

And 2 associated questions. I hope really you don't mind.
1- Was the 2 x 32 GB Corsair RAM the exact same version as the 4 x 16Gb you recommended? <- As powerful / fast, and the same dimensions to fit under the cooler.

2- And (really thick question here.) When you said the 2nd and 4th slot, (and I could Google it, as It was 6 years since I built this PC.) But hope you dont mind me asking you. Is the 4th slot, the one beneath the Cooler, or the right hand side slot.
Again, I am just wondering. As, if the 2 x 32 RAM, is the same version, as the 4 x 16GB you linked.. (and so worth buying) it would also fit under the Dark Rock cooler?

Again sorry for the intricate detail to these final questions. I want to order the items, and just crossing the T's with your expert, excellent help, and guidance.

 

[Daynhg]

Hey Nighthawk117

All of the guys on this superbly helpful thread, have been brilliant.
And I thank them all. 👍

But you, have surpassed anything I could have asked for.
I honestly cannot thank you enough.

Seriously, I bow to your utterly incredible expertise, patience, time given, and amazing guidance.
As well as now knowing exactly ... "literally exactly" what I need to purchase.
I have also learned a ton from you.

Thank you Nighthawk117
So very much. 💯🥇