Build Advice Leaving my old PC behind, starting a new workstation build ?

Feb 5, 2025
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Hey guys, not new to this forum but my old account got purged.

I've had some problems with my old sweetheart lately (full details here: My Problem ), and I think it's about time for a new start since it's like 12 years old now.

Although over the years I've been upgrading it bit by bit, everything has a limit. Current build in my signature.

I'm trying to fix it but, I would like a new one soon. I'm a graphic designer and freelance photographer; so mostly I will use it for image editing and maybe video too. I've always wanted to start a yt channel or something but never got to it, and maybe do some gaming... but I normally do that on my Xbox.

So I'm looking for a starting build with room for improvement, and if I can use something from my old pc like the monitor (I think it's good enough still) or the GPU, we can dedicate the budget for a better CPU or motherboard to start with.

Thanks in advance, you will help me a lot since I've been very absent from the gadget and tech world for a long time now.

Approximate Purchase Date: End of this month.

Budget Range: Have available 700 dollars to start the build.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Image and video editing, encoding, file storage, surfing the internet, gaming, if possible... streaming.

Are you buying a monitor: No.

Parts to Upgrade: CPU, Cooling system, Mobo, RAM, Chassis, PSU, SSD/HDD. (I'm gonna use the same monitor for now ASUS VA27EHE and the EVGA GEFORCE GTX 970 is still working apparently, peripherals are covered.)

Do you need to buy OS: No.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon , Newegg , but if the site can ship internationally can use it too.

Location: Mexico, but traveling all the time.

Parts Preferences: Not really a preference just whatever fits or is more compatible.

Overclocking: Maybe, never had the need to.

SLI or Crossfire: No, unless necessary.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Lights and bling is absolutely not necessary, since I'll be editing through the night too much light hurts and is distracting. File storage is necessary though.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Old computer is breaking down, and compatibility of devices and gadgets are starting to be a problem.

Edit: Maybe something like this? https://pcbuilder.net/rigs/Q8ubCX
 
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Please stylize your thread with info asked of in this thread;
and the community can chime in with suggestions for your upgrade/new build, inclusive of your location and preferred site for purchase.

So I'm looking for a starting build with room for improvement, and if I can use something from my old pc like the monitor (I think it's good enough still) or the GPU, we can dedicate the budget for a better CPU or motherboard to start with. Initial budget 700-1000 bucks.
What is your absolute budget? Are we too look at 1,000USD for the ram, CPU and motherboard? What other parts would you be recycling from your existing build?

NEW PSU: BALAMRUSH PULSAR 550 PR
You say new, how old is the unit? That unit doesn't look like a reputable + reliably built unit.
 
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Please stylize your thread with info asked of in this thread;
and the community can chime in with suggestions for your upgrade/new build, inclusive of your location and preferred site for purchase.

So I'm looking for a starting build with room for improvement, and if I can use something from my old pc like the monitor (I think it's good enough still) or the GPU, we can dedicate the budget for a better CPU or motherboard to start with. Initial budget 700-1000 bucks.
What is your absolute budget? Are we too look at 1,000USD for the ram, CPU and motherboard? What other parts would you be recycling from your existing build?

NEW PSU: BALAMRUSH PULSAR 550 PR
You say new, how old is the unit? That unit doesn't look like a reputable + reliably built unit.
Thanks for that.

Yeah the new PSU was a quick fix to discard the parts that are causing the problem, if I can't find the solution soon I will have to send it to a professional or just let it die for good. Definitely not using anything but the monitor, graphics card and my peripherals.
 
Regarding your other thread try one stick of memory in A2. They shouldn't be in A1 and B1 as shown in one of your pictures, not sure if you changed them around but they should be in A2 and B2, 2nd and forth slot from cpu. These slots are the primaries. One stick operation is using only A2. Try that see if booting is more consistent. Try every stick singly.

Next would be suspecting storage drive. An ssd, sata type which you can still reuse in a new build be worth a try. If you do try this, disconnect the hdd before installing Windows to avoid it putting bootloader on it. If hdd is removed or fails, Windows on the ssd won't boot.

Lastly, that power supply man, return it and get something better. Psu is the most critical part so it to either prolong current system or move to the next, paying more for quality won't punish you, that unit will. Get yourself Corsair Rm750x or even 850w, latest versions are atx 3.1 compliant. All connections are the same and compatible with your system with the added addition for 12vhpwr cable for newer graphics cards.
 
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Regarding your other thread try one stick of memory in A2. They shouldn't be in A1 and B1 as shown in one of your pictures, not sure if you changed them around but they should be in A2 and B2, 2nd and forth slot from cpu. These slots are the primaries. One stick operation is using only A2. Try that see if booting is more consistent. Try every stick singly.

Next would be suspecting storage drive. An ssd, sata type which you can still reuse in a new build be worth a try. If you do try this, disconnect the hdd before installing Windows to avoid it putting bootloader on it. If hdd is removed or fails, Windows on the ssd won't boot.

Lastly, that power supply man, return it and get something better. Psu is the most critical part so it to either prolong current system or move to the next, paying more for quality won't punish you, that unit will. Get yourself Corsair Rm750x or even 850w, latest versions are atx 3.1 compliant. All connections are the same and compatible with your system with the added addition for 12vhpwr cable for newer graphics cards.
Thx a lot for that, I'll try everything as soon as I get back home.

While I was idling, I tried to make a new pc with an online generator tool and this is what came out... don't know if it is any good tho... taking out the 299 of the graphics card and the 127 of the monitor.. it is more or less my budget.

Future Build?
 
Thx a lot for that, I'll try everything as soon as I get back home.

While I was idling, I tried to make a new pc with an online generator tool and this is what came out... don't know if it is any good tho... taking out the 299 of the graphics card and the 127 of the monitor.. it is more or less my budget.

Future Build?
Personally, I would start with a build like this and change it to suit your specific needs:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($312.94 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI X670E GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial T500 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($145.99 @ Adorama)
Case: Lian Li Lancool 207 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.48 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $999.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-02-13 14:55 EST-0500


AMD has an upgrade path unlike Intel right now, so if you are interested in upgrading over the years like you did with that last build AMD is the way to go.
 
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