Question I'm looking for advice on upgrading my PC ?

[MikeyG24]

I currently have a gaming rig with the following specs:

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3
CPU: Intel i5-6600K
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (8GB x 4) DDR4 3000MHz C15
PSU: EVGA 600B
OS: Windows 10
Chassis: Corsair 760T

I'm looking to replace the Motherboard and CPU with something that will be compatible with Windows 11 but will also work with the current case, RAM and PSU.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[triplex1]

b450/550 +5600G

 

[Math Geek]

to stay with DDR4 you can go as high as AMD's 5000 series or intel's 13th gen cpu's. both are dead platforms but would offer a big upgrade to what you already have.

your psu is very old and was not very good when it was new. i HIGHLY recommend a new psu no matter what you chose to get. that thing had a 3 year warranty for a reason and i'm surprised it made it this long.

what kind of budget are you looking at? what is the gpu you are using?

your case is big enough to fit whatever into it so no worries on type of mobo you can get

 

[Tioym]

Your case is a full tower - meaning it will support pretty much any motherboard size you want, not sure of E-ATX but you wont find many of those boards anyway. As for the need to work with Windows 11, officially i5 8th Generation and above and Ryzen 2000 Series and above CPUs are supported. I'm not sure what kind of upgrade you want to do with just the CPU but I'd recommend you look at AMD's 5000 Series - mainly the R5 5600X with a b550 motherboard. If you need a bit more power you can look at R7 5700X or beyond.

If you want something cheaper go for the 10th Gen Intel or 3000 Series AMD which should still be available and very cheap.

 

[Why_Me]

I currently have a gaming rig with the following:

Corsair 760T case
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3 motherboard
Intel i5-6600K processor
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32gb (4x8gb) DDR4 3000MHz C15 LED Desktop Memory
EVGA Power Supply 600B
Windows 10

Looking to replace the Motherboard and CPU with something that will be compatible with Windows 11 but also work with the current case, memory and power supply.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Budget and country you are located?

 

[MikeyG24]

to stay with DDR4 you can go as high as AMD's 5000 series or intel's 13th gen cpu's. both are dead platforms but would offer a big upgrade to what you already have.

your psu is very old and was not very good when it was new. i HIGHLY recommend a new psu no matter what you chose to get. that thing had a 3 year warranty for a reason and i'm surprised it made it this long.

what kind of budget are you looking at? what is the gpu you are using?

your case is big enough to fit whatever into it so no worries on type of mobo you can get

I’m surprised about my psu as I’ve never had an issue with it, but good to know.
Looking at spending maybe $500 or more if needed. My gpu is a GeForce RTX 3060.
Glad to hear my case is good.
So any advice on motherboard and cpu that will work with everything. Maybe a suggestion on a new psu outside the $500 budget as well.
Thanks!

 

[punkncat]

Upgrade this PC for what use case?

It appears you don't have a graphics card, so no gaming. IMO, if this is for sundry consumption of media and surfing duties I would probably consider looking into an alternate OS in the Linux persuasion and keep on using it. If you work with it, certain aspects as far as app compatibility can be troublesome.

With that it leads into what budget and such you are working with and such as having a MicroCenter nearby. A 12th gen Intel can still be found pretty inexpensive, but have noted that only the most basic motherboards seem to remain and pricing isn't always optimal. You could get into an AM4 flavor cheap.

 

[MikeyG24]

Budget and country you are located?

$500 or more if needed. Located in US. Also forgot to mention my gpu is a GeForce RTX 3060.

 

[MikeyG24]

Upgrade this PC for what use case?

It appears you don't have a graphics card, so no gaming. IMO, if this is for sundry consumption of media and surfing duties I would probably consider looking into an alternate OS in the Linux persuasion and keep on using it. If you work with it, certain aspects as far as app compatibility can be troublesome.

With that it leads into what budget and such you are working with and such as having a MicroCenter nearby. A 12th gen Intel can still be found pretty inexpensive, but have noted that only the most basic motherboards seem to remain and pricing isn't always optimal. You could get into an AM4 flavor cheap.

Gaming. Forgot to mention my gpu is a GeForce RTX 3060.

 

[punkncat]

For $500 and if you are near a MicroCenter then take a look at their bundle deals. Keep in mind that swap will likely need a new OS license as well.

 

[MikeyG24]

For $500 and if you are near a MicroCenter then take a look at their bundle deals. Keep in mind that swap will likely need a new OS license as well.

Unfortunately I live in Reno, NV no MicroCenter located here.

 

[punkncat]

IMO, look for something like:
R5 5600X
B550 motherboard
(use current RAM)
new decent level power supply
(maybe some new storage for OS on M.2)
Windows 11 license.

 

[Why_Me]

$500 or more if needed. Located in US. Also forgot to mention my gpu is a GeForce RTX 3060.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807626558631.html
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F $129.00

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ MSI)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $334.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-06 22:56 EST-0500

 

[punkncat]

Two concerns I would point out about the above build is that I would not recommend purchases from Ali Express for something you need and expect to receive. Worth taking chances on 'play money' type purchases, maybe?

The other overarching issue is that it uses money to purchase parts that are incompatible with the initial request to use the RAM on hand, and glaringly leaves Windows OS out. That is another $120 right there going retail.

 

[Why_Me]

Two concerns I would point out about the above build is that I would not recommend purchases from Ali Express for something you need and expect to receive. Worth taking chances on 'play money' type purchases, maybe?

The other overarching issue is that it uses money to purchase parts that are incompatible with the initial request to use the RAM on hand, and glaringly leaves Windows OS out. That is another $120 right there going retail.

My buddy used his Visa card and he did ok with them.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/ali-express.326584/

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-11-free-or-cheap

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($111.34 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB 68.2 CFM CPU Cooler ($18.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $450.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-07 00:30 EST-0500

 

[triplex1]

Unfortunately I live in Reno, NV no MicroCenter located here.

I told you something at the beginning because you forgot to mention the 3060 you have.
Get a 5700x with a b550 motherboard that you like, check your power supply carefully and put all your stuff back together.
It's like boarding a spaceship in terms of what you have.
Don't spend money because everyone else's systems will be 'dead' in 6 months, as someone smart here said.
They will release new platforms and everyone will buy them again.

 

[Misgar]

and glaringly leaves Windows OS out. That is another $120 right there going retail.

If the original Windows License is Retail and not OEM, it may be possible to Deactivate the License on the old motherboard and Activate it on the new motherboard, as per this Microsoft instruction.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...to-a-new/ef447e6c-b0e1-4c55-8442-69b2cb1b4859

This process assumes you stop using the same Windows license on the old motherboard, or install a different OS, e.g. Linux on the old system.

You may have to call Microsoft's help centre during activation and explain you've swapped mobos, so make sure you have a legitimate license and not a so-called "genuine" $12 license, split from a Volume or Educational License Pack.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-your-windows-license-legal-should-you-even-care/

I’m surprised about my psu as I’ve never had an issue with it, but good to know.

Cheap and cheerful PSUs with a 3-year warranty can carry on working for ages, but tend to be manufactured with cheaper (and fewer) components, using old (common rail) designs with poor voltage regulation and questionable maximum power ratings/overload protection. Higher quality PSUs may have 7, 10 or even 12-year warranties. If it's your only/most important rig, fit a quality PSU.

The first things that die in my older PSUs are the electrolytic capacitors. If you're lucky they quietly split and ooze brown gunge over the PCB. At this point ripple voltage soars which can potentially damage the motherboard/CPU/GPU/RAM. If you're unlucky, electrolytics explode with a very loud bang and a bright flash. The PSU protection circuits may (or may not) stop it from killing your computer.
https://www.samaterials.com/content/why-do-electrolytic-capacitors-explode.html

 

[Math Geek]

B550 and a 56/5700x would be my choice as well. great price/performance ratio and not power hungry like the last few gens from intel.

throw in a decent psu and you're well below your budget. something like this maybe

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 3.4 GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Super Flower Leadex III Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Total: $304.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-07 07:15 EST-0500

slightly older psu model but still a solid choice. can spend more obviously, but this would be a big upgrade from what you have now.

 

[triplex1]

B550 and a 56/5700x would be my choice as well. great price/performance ratio and not power hungry like the last few gens from intel.

throw in a decent psu and you're well below your budget. something like this maybe

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 3.4 GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Super Flower Leadex III Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Total: $304.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-07 07:15 EST-0500

slightly older psu model but still a solid choice. can spend more obviously, but this would be a big upgrade from what you have now.

Put in PCPartPicker and one Kingston NVMe Gen4x4

 

[drjohnnyfever]

An Intel alternative would be i5-12600k-14600K CPU's. The 12600k is $150 new on Amazon and the 14600k is $230 new. I really like MSI MOBO's, so MSI Pro 690-790 units are priced well. Depending on what you want, like WiFi, etc. many are $150 and lower.

I almost exclusively buy from Amazon Warehouse - now Amazon Resale. If you look there you'll be surprised at the savings. As long as you are buying items that are fulfilled by Amazon or Amazon Resale, not a random vendor, anything you buy is returnable for any reason, usually with more than 30 days to decide. Because the items have been opened and possibly used, they offer good discounts and that return policy. The CPU's aren't discounted much, but with the return policy I consider them sometimes.

Just as an example, there's a MSI Pro Z790-P in the warehouse for $104. That saves you $70 over the same new model. So for $330 you can have a super fast 14600k and quality MOBO, with money left over from your $500 for a new, quality PSU - that shouldn't set you back more than around $100.

I did a similar build for my son's first gamer and I'm shocked at how stupid fast it is compared to some of the old tubs I used to have. Anyway, good luck.