Question Should I perform an upgrade to my 7 y/o system?

[jgarciab80]

Hello,

I have an old Intel 7th generation system (Gigabyte H110M-H). Is has an Intel Core i3 with 8 GB RAM. It is 7 years old. My system is slow and does not let me run most modern games (it runs with Windows 10 Pro).

I am planning to upgrade my system with a *brand new* Intel Core i7 7700K from Amazon.com. I am also planning to upgrade my RAM memory from 8 GB to 16 GB (or even 32!)

My question is, does it take the worth to upgrade a really old PC with ~ US$ 300. Or should I invest those 300 dollars in a brand new Intel 13th gen Mobo and Processor? I know a new gaming PC with those specs could cost at least US $1,100.

Thank you for your kind advice,

Julio

 

[Eximo]

I probably wouldn't invest in a 7700k at this point. An i3-12100 is faster and you can easily upgrade the CPU and Motherboard and RAM for under $300.

In terms of games, what kind of GPU do you have?

 

[artk2219]

Hello,

I have an old Intel 7th generation system (Gigabyte H110M-H). Is has an Intel Core i3 with 8 GB RAM. It is 7 years old. My system is slow and does not let me run most modern games (it runs with Windows 10 Pro).

I am planning to upgrade my system with a *brand new* Intel Core i7 7700K from Amazon.com. I am also planning to upgrade my RAM memory from 8 GB to 16 GB (or even 32!)

My question is, does it take the worth to upgrade a really old PC with ~ US$ 300. Or should I invest those 300 dollars in a brand new Intel 13th gen Mobo and Processor? I know a new gaming PC with those specs could cost at least US $1,100.

Thank you for your kind advice,

Julio

Its generally not worth upgrading that, I would go with a platform upgrade, what GPU are you using? What is your power supply? Do you plan on reusing your case, drives, and other parts? What is the maximum amount you would be looking to spend? Also, 32GB of RAM is the minimum amount i would recommend if you're looking to upgrade.

 

[Eximo]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($162.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B760M-HDV/M.2 D4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($53.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $306.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-04-11 13:46 EDT-0400

 

[artk2219]

A bit over 300, but the 12600KF comes with 4 extra efficiency cores, you will need a dedicated GPU with it though, as the 12600KF does not come with one integrated. Its a B660 board instead of B760, so it does not have PCIE 5.0. But realistically by the time the difference between PCIE 4 and 5 becomes an issue, this platform will be long overdue for an upgrade anyway. The most powerful gaming GPU currently available, the RTX 4090 doesn't support PCIE 5 anyway. It also still supports all of the 12th, 13th, and 14th gen intel CPUs with a BIOS update.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/nvidia-geforce-rtx-4090-pci-express-scaling/28.html

PCPartPicker Part List
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/njXtYN

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Tk8bt6/intel-core-i5-12600kf-37-ghz-6-core-processor-bx8071512600kf) | $154.65 @ Amazon
**CPU Cooler** | [Thermalright Assassin King SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9Gstt6/thermalright-assassin-king-se-argb-6617-cfm-cpu-cooler-ak120-se-argb-d6) | $19.29 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/TZPQzy/asrock-b660m-pro-rs-micro-atx-lga1700-motherboard-b660m-pro-rs) | $94.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kXbkcf/gskill-ripjaws-v-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr4-3200-cl16-memory-f4-3200c16d-32gvk) | $65.98 @ Amazon
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$334.91**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2024-04-11 14:00 EDT-0400 |

 

[jgarciab80]

Hello,

Thank you for your answers.

My graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, DDR 5, 2GB, Gigabyte Technology.

Regards,

Julio

 

[Eximo]

Likely not a very powerful PSU then. I would stick with the locked i5.

Next time look at a PSU and GPU upgrade. GTX1050 is certainly going to hold you back in anything but e-sports titles. An up to date CPU will certainly help with FPS on things like CS2, Fortnite, Rocketleague and the like. But any recent AAA title like Cyberpunk, Starfield, or the Last of Us is basically going to be a very poor experience with a GTX 1050.

 

[artk2219]

Hello,

Thank you for your answers.

My graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, DDR 5, 2GB, Gigabyte Technology.

Regards,

Julio

Is around $300 your max limit or would you be willing to spend more to upgrade the GPU and PSU?

 

[jgarciab80]

Is around $300 your max limit or would you be willing to spend more to upgrade the GPU and PSU?

In fact, I planned to build a new system around US $1000, but then I considered the "upgrade my old system" as a good option. However, comments in this thread discourage me to upgrade the old system and rather use that money to obtain something more modern.

 

[artk2219]

In fact, I planned to build a new system around US $1000, but then I considered the "upgrade my old system" as a good option. However, comments in this thread discourage me to upgrade the old system and rather use that money to obtain something more modern.

You may be able to reuse some parts, but can you tell us what power supply you're using? Would you be reusing your case and drives, or at this point will it be an entirely new build?

 

[logainofhades]

A new build is probably your best option. You can get a decent rig for $1k these days.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($181.76 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($33.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z690 PG Riptide ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($53.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster SWFT 319 Radeon RX 6800 16 GB Video Card ($379.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.42 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $1002.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-04-11 16:04 EDT-0400

 

[jgarciab80]

You may be able to reuse some parts, but can you tell us what power supply you're using? Would you be reusing your case and drives, or at this point will it be an entirely new build?

Hello,

My Power Supply unit is nothing special; it is the generic PSU that came with the Case as a bundle. I don't know how to give specs of a PSU.

I planned to re-use my 1 TB Hard Drive, which is not SSD, but a SATA 6/Gbps HDD. My Mobo is so old it does not come with NVme support. I also planned to re-use my graphics card (NVidia GTX 1050).

Maybe a new build is the best option for me.

Thank you,

Julio

 

[artk2219]

With that being the case, you've got a lot of options, below is an AMD based build for around $1055. I've attached a review for the 14700K since it has many different CPU's in there for comparison. I've also attached a review of the RX 7900 GRE so you can check out the comparison list with a ton of options on there, as well as Toms GPU hierarchy chart.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/2108...ore-i5-14600k-review-raptor-lake-refreshed/13

Review: Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 7900 GRE 16GB (Page 30)

Today's review focuses on the Radeon RX 7900 Golden Rabbit Edition (GRE), a variant distinct from the 7900 XTX or XT models. Introduced by AMD a while ago for the Asian market, the GRE is named after the Chinese zodiac sign for 2023, the year of the rabbit, it now has availability in other...

www.guru3d.com

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

PCPartPicker Part List
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/chHtYN

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/yXmmP6/amd-ryzen-5-7600-38-ghz-6-core-processor-100-100001015box) | $194.50 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Thermalright Assassin King SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9Gstt6/thermalright-assassin-king-se-argb-6617-cfm-cpu-cooler-ak120-se-argb-d6) | $19.29 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/mP88TW/msi-pro-b650-s-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-b650-s-wifi) | $139.00 @ MSI
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/r7XV3C/corsair-vengeance-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr5-6000-cl36-memory-cmk32gx5m2e6000c36) | $99.99 @ Best Buy
**Storage** | [Crucial P3 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/sw4Ycf/crucial-p3-1-tb-m2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-ct1000p3ssd8) | $68.98 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [XFX Speedster SWFT 319 Radeon RX 6800 16 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Hg92FT/xfx-radeon-rx-6800-16-gb-speedster-swft-319-video-card-rx-68xlaqfd9) | $379.00 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kKcgXL/montech-air-903-base-atx-mid-tower-case-air-903-base-b) | $64.42 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Yp9wrH/be-quiet-pure-power-12-m-750-w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-bn504) | $89.90 @ Amazon
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$1055.08**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2024-04-11 16:35 EDT-0400 |

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I will say consider the i5 12600kf on a budget. Basically the same as the 12600k but without integrated gpu. Then the money saved you might be able to almost be at a 6800xt/7800xt instead of the normal 6800.

The Thermalright peerless assassin is a good cooler imo. Have one on my 12600kf and it does pretty well.