Build Advice desperately need an upgrade but no clue where to start.

[mason03]

Hey all!
So I have had this PC since around 2014 but never really needed it to be very good until now. I'm not looking to run games or anything but my CPU can't even handle my audio software and my streaming software (for console gaming) says the graphics card is insufficient so it's long overdue an upgrade... the problem being I have no clue what needs replacing to make it half-decent or if it's even worth trying to upgrade over saving for a new one so I could really use some help. I'm pretty sure my PSU is terrible and was told I'd need to replace it before anything else but no idea which alternatives are any good or compatible and will just be wasting money without some advice so I'm really counting on you! The specs are:

CPU - AMD A8-7650K APU (2014 D.Ka)
GPU - AMD Radeon R7 Graphics
SSD - Adata Ultimate SU800 256GB
HDD - Toshiba P300 1TB
RAM - Crucial CT102464BD160 1x8GB
MBD - Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-HD2
PSU - Corsair CX-600
My case has 2 fans built in and there's another in the back but pretty sure they're not even branded...
I have windows 10 installed on the SSD in case that's relevant.
I'm on a budget so if just a few parts are limiting the others and can be replaced, that would be the ideal option.


Thank you in advance! : )

 

[USAFRet]

Your parts need all new parts.
Full replacement.

 

[thestryker]

It honestly doesn't really sound like you even need a full desktop PC. You might be able to find a good deal on a minipc which would be sufficient.

If you want any specific suggestions for builds or minipcs we'd need more specifics with regards to things like how many/which devices you need to connect along with budget.

 

[geofelt]

What is your budget?
cpu/motherboard and ram all need to be changed in concert.

 

[mason03]

It honestly doesn't really sound like you even need a full desktop PC. You might be able to find a good deal on a minipc which would be sufficient.

If you want any specific suggestions for builds or minipcs we'd need more specifics with regards to things like how many/which devices you need to connect along with budget.

TYSM for the advice! I do think it's much too much effort to bother with trying to get this PC to survive and it seems a mini PC is perfect for what i need!
the GMKtec AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H Mini PC--NucBox M7 seems the best option so far with it being on sale but I'm gonna keep looking around before i impulse buy it.
Thanks again!

 

[USAFRet]

TYSM for the advice! I do think it's much too much effort to bother with trying to get this PC to survive and it seems a mini PC is perfect for what i need!
the GMKtec AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H Mini PC--NucBox M7 seems the best option so far with it being on sale but I'm gonna keep looking around before i impulse buy it.
Thanks again!

Also look at Beelink.
https://www.bee-link.com/collections/product?page=2

I have one as my HTPC. Solid little device.

 

[thestryker]

TYSM for the advice! I do think it's much too much effort to bother with trying to get this PC to survive and it seems a mini PC is perfect for what i need!

There are only three potentially important things regarding CPU choice that leap to mind for me:

1. If you're going to be doing AV1 encoding Intel's Core Ultra series has this capability.
2. If any of your workloads are accelerated with Quicksync this is Intel only.
3. When looking at AMD you want to make sure the graphics are RDNA based as opposed to Vega as this should have driver support for longer (6850H is RDNA as is the rest of the 6000 line, but some of the 7000 line is not).

I have had good luck with all of the minipcs I've gotten. Something from a mainstream vendor (Asus/Zotac/MSI etc) would likely have better support available, but will cost more money. In my experience so long as you get a working product you're good to go.

I also have a Beelink minipc I got to act as a local game server and the only thing I don't like about it is that getting to the CPU heatsink requires tearing the whole thing apart and there are a ton of screws with some ribbon cables. This isn't guaranteed to be the situation with all of their units just something I noticed with the model I got. Honestly this being my only issue with it is a rather small problem in the greater scheme of things especially for a unit that cost ~$250 for a 6600H, 16GB DRAM and 512GB storage.

Minisforum is the brand that brought the low cost minipc to NA/EU so they're always worth a consideration. I think Acemagic has good prices, but they're one of the ones who was caught with malware on their installs so unless you were interested in doing a full wipe with fresh image I'd steer clear of them.