[SOLVED] Help with making first-time upgrades on a prebuilt ?

[MereZen]

Hey, I'm a beginner in PCs and have never attempted an upgrade yet. In 2018 I bought a prebuilt ASUS M32CD Desktop and I think maybe now it's time for an upgrade but it's a little scary to me. I'm just worried and a little overwhelmed when it comes to compatibility issues and all the kinds of variables that have to match. What kinds of upgrades would you suggest first? Is this computer upgradeable and if so should I start with changing the motherboard for more flexible options? Thank you

Current Specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-7700
Memory: 12GB DDR4
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB
Storage: 1TB HDD and a 500GB Samsung SSD
Power supply: HBA008-ZA1GT (350 Watts)
Motherboard: Asus M32CD4-K Rev 2.0 Intel CPU LGA 1151 DDR4 PD01J0-B02

 

[Why_Me]

If I swapped to a bigger PC case like an ATX would that solve the GPU clearance issue?

Yes.

https://www.amazon.com/Phanteks-Mid-Tower-PH-EC400ATG_BK01-Tempered-Controller/dp/B07TYR1P1G/

https://www.newegg.com/black-phanteks-eclipse-p400a-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811854085

 

[MereZen]

Not so simple, 11th gen processors require an entirely different motherboard from your 7th gen processor.
Comparing base frequency is also not so simple.
First, the 11th gen processors(and ryzen 5000 series) have improved performance per clock
Perhaps 20%

Next, modern processors have implemented better turbo management.
That boosts the performance of a couple of favored cores when conditions permit.
What conditions?? The workload must not be using all of the other cores.
And case and cpu cooling must be adequate to support the higher temperatures that running faster will generate.

I think your current motherboard is a standard MATX size.
Here are the differences:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/ATX_ITX_AT_Motherboard_Compatible_Dimensions.svg/220px-ATX_ITX_AT_Motherboard_Compatible_Dimensions.svg.png&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX&tbnid=2YUJVZRi8022_M&vet=12ahUKEwiH3cOhk6nwAhUJVFMKHTXWBvQQMygBegUIARC2AQ..i&docid=U3q7oBSMruxTuM&w=220&h=220&q=micro atx dimensions&ved=2ahUKEwiH3cOhk6nwAhUJVFMKHTXWBvQQMygBegUIARC2AQ
Check the motherboard hole mounting patterns.

Got it that makes sense, I'll remember this if I go through with upgrading the CPU. Thank you again for all this

 

[MereZen]

The base frequency is nothing more than the lowest frequency the CPU will work at if the minimum possible power and cooling. Slap the CPU on a decent board with a decent aftermarket HSF, it'll boost to 3.6GHz or more all day long. Some boards even allow you to ignore power limits and boost to 4+GHz indefinitely.

The 11400 also has two extra cores that will come in handy in newer games or if you do some multi-tasking on top.

If I had to build a new PC today, I'd go with i5-11400(F), Gigabyte Z590 UD / MSI Z590 Pro-A / Asus B560 TUF (they are all priced within $20 where I can get them, I wouldn't bother with z590 otherwise) and 32GB of DDR4-3200-16-18-18 or equivalent.

Oh okay, it was just something I noticed when someone mentioned a different cpu and it confused me at first with the whole base thing frequency thing. Thank you so much for the specific motherboards, I'm going to write these specs down

 

[MereZen]

Run this and post a link to the results.
PC Benchmark

Here you go: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/42603544

 

[MereZen]

Wait a few weeks for the i5 11400F to come back in stock ($175) or you can grab a i5 10400F right now for $150.

https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-bronze-sf-550r14he-550w/p/1HU-024C-00016
Super Flower Leadex III Bronze PRO 550W 80+ Bronze, 5 Years Warranty, Patent Super Connectors, Ultra Flexible Flat Ribbon Cables, ECO Mode, Silent & Cooling Mode, FDB Fan, Full Modular Power Supply $79.99

https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B560 Pro4/index.asp

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/Asrock-B560M-Pro4_80_56904.html
ASRock B560M Pro4 B560 $110.50

https://www.newegg.com/ballistix-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820164188
Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200 16GB (8GBx2) CL16 $87.99 (+ 10% off w/ promo code 4SPRGCLR257 limited offer)

https://elitehubs.com/antec-a40-pro/
ANTEC A40 PRO 92MM CPU AIR COOLER $24.55

Thank you so much for this list, judging by this and everyone else's responses so far that processor does sound like a really good one and building up from it. I'll just have to buy things one at a time if I'm going to go start from scratch, I think I'm going to start with a power supply upgrade. Would that motherboard you linked (B560 Pro 4) support the graphics card I already have? GTX 1050 2GB

 

[InvalidError]

Oh okay, it was just something I noticed when someone mentioned a different cpu and it confused me at first with the whole base thing frequency thing. Thank you so much for the specific motherboards, I'm going to write these specs down

The motherboards I picked for myself based on features, availability and pricing are ATX-sized because I want 2-3 extra usable PCIe slots besides the GPU's, a healthy complement of rear USB ports (I have a lot of stuff to plug in, albeit mostly 2.0-speed) and a VRM at least a notch above bare minimum. You may have completely different options with your requirements and parts availability. I'm sure I'll have many more options when more boards get in stock and prices settle down from their launch highs.

If your case is mATX (only four slots for add-in cards) then those won't fit your case and you'll have to look at their mATX counterparts.

 

[Why_Me]

Thank you so much for this list, judging by this and everyone else's responses so far that processor does sound like a really good one and building up from it. I'll just have to buy things one at a time if I'm going to go start from scratch, I think I'm going to start with a power supply upgrade. Would that motherboard you linked (B560 Pro 4) support the graphics card I already have? GTX 1050 2GB

Your current gpu will work fine with that Asrock B560 board.