Build Advice Need a little guidance with a mid tier system build

[Ned Stark]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next 2 months

Budget Range: 1000$

System Usage from Most to Least Important: CAD 3D modeling/drafting/PointCloud rendering & 1080p-1440p gaming

Are you buying a monitor:No

Parts to Upgrade: CPU/MOBO/GPU reusing ThermalTake 750w Smart M750w ATX12v 2.3 EPS 12v 2.91

Do you need to buy OS: No
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com,

Location: BC Canada

Parts Preferences: open to either Intel or AMD

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution:1920x1080, 1920x1200

Additional Comments: want a decent mid-tier gaming pc

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: PS4 Console gamer wanting to upgrade to PC


Hey there so this is the run down, I work for a software company where we develop CAD-based programs for Civil Engineers and Crime Scene Investigators/Reconstructionists. I was given an older custom gaming system by my boss as it stopped working for him. I did some diagnosing and the issue has to do with either the CPU or the Motherboard. But the Power Supply, Case, and 1TB SSD are all good. I want to salvage as much as I can So I can put the money into a GPU.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Its Power Supply is a ThermalTake 750w Smart M750w ATX12v 2.3 EPS 12v 2.91
You should toss that PSU into a garbage bin...in fact that box shouldn't be considered PSU. Yes it's a horrible unit.

If the PSU is out of the picture, you're left with the case, which quite frankly is just a monolithic piece of junk that wasn't designed optimally. Yes I've worked in the chassis and I wish Thermaltake took design queues from other brands to help make things streamlined. To add, in 2022, you would be best served picking up a case alongside your build, considering that things have been removed and streamlined for more performance.

You might want to stylize your followup post or the thread's post above, with information asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Toss the thermaltake power supply post haste. For a budget box, this coming from someone who’s run amd systems for years, go Intel. I say that because on the budget end you can start on 12th gen and later upgrade to a 13th gen.

The case looks ok but consider replacing it. If you want to get a high end gpu later the hard drive cages look like they’d be in your way.

So pretty much I’m in agreement with the guy above. Start over imo.

 

[Ned Stark]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Its Power Supply is a ThermalTake 750w Smart M750w ATX12v 2.3 EPS 12v 2.91
You should toss that PSU into a garbage bin...in fact that box shouldn't be considered PSU. Yes it's a horrible unit.

If the PSU is out of the picture, you're left with the case, which quite frankly is just a monolithic piece of junk that wasn't designed optimally. Yes I've worked in the chassis and I wish Thermaltake took design queues from other brands to help make things streamlined. To add, in 2022, you would be best served picking up a case alongside your build, considering that things have been removed and streamlined for more performance.

You might want to stylize your followup post or the thread's post above, with information asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

Just curious as to why the power supply is not even worth using? Its 750w and modular. Yes I was concerned about a GPU not fitting in the case but I checked and the 2 HD areas can be removed for more GPU room. Plus it has two intake fans in the front. One in the back and Two on the top. Im not looking for anything fancy.

https://www.thermaltake.com/chaser-a31.html

 

[DSzymborski]

Just curious as to why the power supply is not even worth using? Its 750w and modular. Yes I was concerned about a GPU not fitting in the case but I checked and the 2 HD areas can be removed for more GPU room. Plus it has two intake fans in the front. One in the back and Two on the top. Im not looking for anything fancy.

https://www.thermaltake.com/chaser-a31.html

If it is the Smart M and not the Smart, I'm a little more optimistic than the others; it's a less archaic CWT design rather than garbage-tier Sirfa. But it's still on the cheaper side and you can see the cost cutting: no polymers, comically bad warranty, passive recitification, missing heatsinks, and so on. I probably wouldn't call this junk and it's likely not dangerous, though it's nothing I would ever buy.

What you do depends on your risk aversion.

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NWDQ1TH
ASUS PRIME B660-PLUS D4 $149.99

PRIME B660-PLUS D4｜Motherboards｜ASUS Global

ASUS Prime series is expertly engineered to unleash the full potential of AMD and Intel processors. Boasting a robust power design, comprehensive cooling solutions and intelligent tuning options, Prime series motherboards provide daily users and DIY PC builders a range of performance tuning...

www.asus.com

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0143UM4TC
Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (2x8GB) CL16 $72.99

https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX00118191
MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT MECH 2X OC 8GB Graphics Card $429.99

https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX00120087
DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 V2 Blue CPU Cooler $26.99

https://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=57483068
Intel Core i5-12400F $253.50

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...2400f-processor-18m-cache-up-to-4-40-ghz.html

i5 12400 / 12400F gaming benchmarks.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

In my experience the thermaltake power supplies I’ve used are decent for office systems but wouldn’t recommend them for gaming PCs. Plus that psu is a few years old already.

Thermaltake Smart M Series 750 W Review

Among their many PSU offerings Thermaltake includes the SMART series which includes PSUs that are intended for those who just want a power supply that will get the work done without carrying any extra bells and whistles that increase its price.

www.techpowerup.com

Keep in mind that article is from 2012, 10 years ago. Even though they had some good things to say, they dinged that power supply for only having a 3 year warranty vs 5 years a lot of the competitors had. Do you really want to trust all your shiny new equipment to a 10 year old entry level power supply?

 

[Ned Stark]

That's fair. Thanks for the explanation. I was just looking for some details as to why I should throw it out rather than use it.