Question Updated build, can I use these existing parts?

Arpasta

Reputable
Dec 1, 2020
7
3
4,515
I built the following system in 2012...Intel i5-2500 Sandy Bridge; ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3; 8GB of G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1333; Corsair Builder Series V2 CX600 600W power supply, and a Cooler Master HAF-912 mid tower case. I added a Samsung SSD 860 EVO about 5 years ago. I use 2 Acer monitors with no GPU, and it has an ASUS BW-12B1ST DVD-RW drive. The system works just fine for what I need, but the system won't support Windows 11

I want to replace the CPU, Motherboard and RAM (priced out at NewEgg @ $500; senior/fixed income/blah, blah, blah). Can I reuse the case and power supply?
 
Corsair Builder Series V2 CX600 600W power supply
+
Can I reuse the case and power supply?

You should throw that unit out the window since it's dubbed in the industry as one of the worst units in existence. Simple answer, you can work with the case(if you don't mind being limited to USB2.0 speeds on the front panel but the PSU must be changed.

The case might not be a good idea to recycle in 2024 since all hardware as of the past 5 years have been known to be hot headed(apart from AMD's AM4 and AM5 platforms).

As a once over, please pass on the parts you want to upgrade and drop into the HAF912 chassis.
 
  • Like
Reactions: artk2219
Is there something about windows 11 that makes you want to upgrade?

If performance is fine for what you need, keep it.
Your psu is not one of the best and is old. But Corsair is not usually dangerous to other components if it should fail.

What parts are you looking at for an upgrade?
 
Corsair Builder Series V2 CX600 600W power supply
+
Can I reuse the case and power supply?

You should throw that unit out the window since it's dubbed in the industry as one of the worst units in existence. Simple answer, you can work with the case(if you don't mind being limited to USB2.0 speeds on the front panel but the PSU must be changed.

The case might not be a good idea to recycle in 2024 since all hardware as of the past 5 years have been known to be hot headed(apart from AMD's AM4 and AM5 platforms).

As a once over, please pass on the parts you want to upgrade and drop into the HAF912 chassis.
i7-12700K, MSI MAG 790Z Tomahawk WiFi, 32MB Corsair Vengeance DDR5-5600.

Curious about what made the power supply badly rated…it’s run my system for 12 years with no issues.
 
Is there something about windows 11 that makes you want to upgrade?

If performance is fine for what you need, keep it.
Your psu is not one of the best and is old. But Corsair is not usually dangerous to other components if it should fail.

What parts are you looking at for an upgrade?
Good point! Mostly concerned about lack of update support. Valid? Look to upgrade the CPU, MB and RAM.
 
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12500 3 GHz 6-Core Processor ($188.68 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($149.99 @ MSI)
Memory: *Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($44.97 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: *Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $493.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-06 12:24 EST-0500
 
Good point! Mostly concerned about lack of update support. Valid? Look to upgrade the CPU, MB and RAM.
You are correct in that windows 10 is out of support by the end of the year, making Windows 11 your only current option for a supported OS after that. You could also wait for Windows 12 to be released, it should be out before then end of the year, then you can decide which route you want to take. I'm also on windows 10, and im waiting to see what 12 looks like before making the switch at the end of the year. Windows 11 is, fine i guess, but its not really an upgrade from 10 in most areas. You can also reuse your case, and if you're missing any features, you can get front panel additions for your 5 1/4 bays. They make USB 3.1 and 3.2 front panel bays, all sorts of audio out options, hot swap bays, all sorts of stuff. If you like your case and your fans are still in good order, there is no reason why you should be able to use it again.
 
You are correct in that windows 10 is out of support by the end of the year, making Windows 11 your only current option for a supported OS after that. You could also wait for Windows 12 to be released, it should be out before then end of the year, then you can decide which route you want to take. I'm also on windows 10, and im waiting to see what 12 looks like before making the switch at the end of the year. Windows 11 is, fine i guess, but its not really an upgrade from 10 in most areas. You can also reuse your case, and if you're missing any features, you can get front panel additions for your 5 1/4 bays. They make USB 3.1 and 3.2 front panel bays, all sorts of audio out options, hot swap bays, all sorts of stuff. If you like your case and your fans are still in good order, there is no reason why you should be able to use it again.
Thank you Art. I was thinking the same thing on the front panel additions. How about the power supply? It sounds like it will work, but need replacing soon. I can definitely stick with Win 10 until Win 12…any word on what MS’s pricing will be for 11>12 vs. 10>12?
 
i7-12700K, MSI MAG 790Z Tomahawk WiFi, 32MB Corsair Vengeance DDR5-5600.

Curious about what made the power supply badly rated…it’s run my system for 12 years with no issues.

You have a golden sample then. Those units are bargain basement budget power supplies. I would be concerned hooking up modern hardware to such an old and low quality PSU. When it dies, it can take other hardware with it. Don't risk losing hundereds of dollars in hardware, because you decided to cheap out on what is literally the heart of your system.
 
  • Like
Reactions: artk2219
You have a golden sample then. Those units are bargain basement budget power supplies. I would be concerned hooking up modern hardware to such an old and low quality PSU. When it dies, it can take other hardware with it. Don't risk losing hundereds of dollars in hardware, because you decided to cheap out on what is literally the heart of your system.
Thank you Logain. Appreciate the link and the advice. I think I’ll wait it out to Win 12 release, evaluate the hardware options and prices then, and add a power supply to the budget.
 
  • Like
Reactions: artk2219
Thank you Art. I was thinking the same thing on the front panel additions. How about the power supply? It sounds like it will work, but need replacing soon. I can definitely stick with Win 10 until Win 12…any word on what MS’s pricing will be for 11>12 vs. 10>12?
Release date for Win 12 is all over the place.

This said "fall of 2024". That obviously didn't happen
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ase-date/9c60ea16-ceb7-43b9-9eeb-af65a0ce6081

This says "the next logical time for Windows 12 to arrive will be around September or October 2025"
https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-to-expect-in-windows-12-leaks-rumors-and-more

Pricing will likely be very similar to 10 and 11.
Around $100 for the Home license. Or, a free upgrade if you already have a valid 10 or 11 license.

Install 10 or 11 now, and worry about Win 12 whenever it happens.
 
  • Like
Reactions: artk2219
Release date for Win 12 is all over the place.

This said "fall of 2024". That obviously didn't happen
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ase-date/9c60ea16-ceb7-43b9-9eeb-af65a0ce6081

This says "the next logical time for Windows 12 to arrive will be around September or October 2025"
https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-to-expect-in-windows-12-leaks-rumors-and-more

Pricing will likely be very similar to 10 and 11.
Around $100 for the Home license. Or, a free upgrade if you already have a valid 10 or 11 license.

Install 10 or 11 now, and worry about Win 12 whenever it happens.
Sorry to hear about your experience with that power supply. Guess I was one of the lucky ones. At the time I built that system, it was highly rated by users, and average in cost for a 600 watt ps. But, I appreciate everyone warning how a faulty ps can cost too much to look for savings in this area.
 
  • Like
Reactions: artk2219
Sorry to hear about your experience with that power supply. Guess I was one of the lucky ones. At the time I built that system, it was highly rated by users, and average in cost for a 600 watt ps. But, I appreciate everyone warning how a faulty ps can cost too much to look for savings in this area.
And when I bought it, it was for the same reason!
It worked well for several years. Then, putting it into a different system (with similar power requirements)....poof. Dead and dead.
 
  • Like
Reactions: artk2219