Question Updating PC - What’s best with what I’m not upgrading?

Hyozans

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Apr 22, 2015
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Hello everyone - I am planning to upgrade some of my PC and am wondering what would go best with what I want to keep.

Keeping:

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card 08G-P4-6678-KR
https://www.newegg.com/evga-geforce...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-14-487-392-_-06292022

Case: NZXT Phantom 240 CA-PH240-W1 White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower
https://www.newegg.com/white-nzxt-p...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-11-146-181-_-06292022

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 220-G2-0750-XR 80+ GOLD 750W Fully Modular EVGA ECO Mode
https://www.newegg.com/evga-superno...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-17-438-017-_-06292022

SSD: SAMSUNG 850 EVO 2.5" 500GB SATA III 32 layer 3D V-NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-75E500B/AM
https://www.newegg.com/samsung-850-...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-20-147-373-_-06292022

Not sure if keeping:

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Intel XMP 2.0 Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15D-16GVR
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-20-231-888-_-06292022

Thinking of getting:

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K - Core i5 12th Gen Alder Lake 10-Core (6P+4E) 3.7 GHz LGA 1700 125W Intel UHD Graphics 770 Desktop Processor - BX8071512600K
https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-19-118-347-_-06292022

MOBO: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS PRO LGA 1700 Intel Z690 ATX Motherboard with DDR5, Quad M.2, PCIe 5.0, USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C, WiFi 6, 2.5GbE LAN
https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-z69...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-13-145-345-_-06292022



I’m not too fussy, just do some gaming - nothing too intense - don’t need the latest and greatest.. but would like to future proof a little - hence my ideas for CPU and MOBO. In a couple years I would upgrade the GPU and probably Hard Drive. Not sure what to do for RAM, and I have Windows 10 and got it through free upgrades for a long time.. not sure if I would have to get Windows 11. Would appreciate any advice on what could be better or what else I should be buying now with this upgrade.
 
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You certainly wouldn't need Windows 11, but it is free if you want it.

You might well be OK with a micro ATX motherboard instead of full ATX. Maybe B660 rather than Z690.

Your current RAM may be compatible with a new motherboard. Hard to say. DDR 5 is out now, but is expensive...although less so than it was a few months ago.

12600k is a good choice.

I don't see a CPU cooler in your list.
 

Hyozans

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I currently have a micro ATX, but am not a big fan of it - just seemed silly with my huge GPU too lol. I also may want to have more flexibility in the future, something to think on for sure. How do I know if the RAM is compatible with that MOBO I linked? If it was perhaps I could wait to upgrade that until a later date.

For some reason I didnt realize that CPU doesnt come with a cooler. Any suggestions? Probably won't overclock much, if at all.
 
Here's a few options to look at.

https://www.amazon.com/Scythe-Cooler-LGA1700-LGA1151-Towers/dp/B09NZGH4RD/
Scythe Fuma 2 Rev.B CPU Cooler $65.99

https://hardwarecanucks.com/forum/t...-review-the-best-cpu-cooler-got-cooler.84709/

https://www.scytheus.com/fuma2-rev-b

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPLM1R1/
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX DDR4 3600MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL18 $114.99

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-12700F-2-1GHz-6xxChipset-BX8071512700F/
Intel Core i7-12700F $314.99

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...2700f-processor-25m-cache-up-to-4-90-ghz.html

i7 12700 / 12700F gaming benchmarks.

i712700.jpg
 
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I currently have a micro ATX, but am not a big fan of it - just seemed silly with my huge GPU too lol. I also may want to have more flexibility in the future, something to think on for sure. How do I know if the RAM is compatible with that MOBO I linked? If it was perhaps I could wait to upgrade that until a later date.

For some reason I didnt realize that CPU doesnt come with a cooler. Any suggestions? Probably won't overclock much, if at all.

Your case has a cooler height limit of 158 mm.

That will limit you a bit. Several good coolers require 160 to 165, but you can certainly find something that will work with a 12600k under 158 mm tall.

Your motherboard will have a qualified memory list that you can check. If your RAM isn't on it, nothing would be guaranteed although could be highly probable.

No problem on going with full ATX. You'll have to decide if you need Z690 rather than B660 or the H series. They differ slightly in features, lanes, ports, etc.
 
Hello everyone - I am planning to upgrade some of my PC and am wondering what would go best with what I want to keep.

Keeping:

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card 08G-P4-6678-KR
https://www.newegg.com/evga-geforce...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-14-487-392-_-06292022

Case: NZXT Phantom 240 CA-PH240-W1 White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower
https://www.newegg.com/white-nzxt-p...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-11-146-181-_-06292022

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 220-G2-0750-XR 80+ GOLD 750W Fully Modular EVGA ECO Mode
https://www.newegg.com/evga-superno...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-17-438-017-_-06292022

SSD: SAMSUNG 850 EVO 2.5" 500GB SATA III 32 layer 3D V-NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-75E500B/AM
https://www.newegg.com/samsung-850-...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-20-147-373-_-06292022

Not sure if keeping:

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Intel XMP 2.0 Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15D-16GVR
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-20-231-888-_-06292022

Thinking of getting:

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K - Core i5 12th Gen Alder Lake 10-Core (6P+4E) 3.7 GHz LGA 1700 125W Intel UHD Graphics 770 Desktop Processor - BX8071512600K
https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-19-118-347-_-06292022

MOBO: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS PRO LGA 1700 Intel Z690 ATX Motherboard with DDR5, Quad M.2, PCIe 5.0, USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C, WiFi 6, 2.5GbE LAN
https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-z69...m_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-13-145-345-_-06292022



I’m not too fussy, just do some gaming - nothing too intense - don’t need the latest and greatest.. but would like to future proof a little - hence my ideas for CPU and MOBO. In a couple years I would upgrade the GPU and probably Hard Drive. Not sure what to do for RAM, and I have Windows 10 and got it through free upgrades for a long time.. not sure if I would have to get Windows 11. Would appreciate any advice on what could be better or what else I should be buying now with this upgrade.
If you stay with the mobo you picked you will need ddr5 ram.
 

Hyozans

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Apr 22, 2015
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Thank you all for the responses. Is it bad to have such a tight fit with the cooler height? I’m not against getting a new case if I need to, was just trying to save a little.

Bob are you saying if a MOBO is DDR5 compatible then it’s not compatible with DDR4?
 
Thank you all for the responses. Is it bad to have such a tight fit with the cooler height? I’m not against getting a new case if I need to, was just trying to save a little.

Bob are you saying if a MOBO is DDR5 compatible then it’s not compatible with DDR4?

Yep; a DDR 5 board will not accept DDR 4.

But.....many boards are offered in both DDR 4 and DDR 5 versions.

From memory...I think your chosen board has a DDR 4 version...but that doesn't necessarily mean your current RAM will work with it.

I wouldn't let your case's cooler height spec drive your decisions. There are a number of coolers that are fine with a 12600k that will fit. The exception would be if you had a high powered video card or were overclocking seriously.
 
No over-riding performance reason to use DDR 5 rather than 4. Plus it is more expensive. DDR 5 will likely be more mature and cheaper in the future, but nobody knows when.

But maybe you have some other reason to use DDR 5?

32 GB is often overkill, but again maybe you have a reason to go with more than 16.

Or budget may not matter much?
 

Hyozans

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Apr 22, 2015
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I guess my main reason for wanting it is future proofing, but it IS more than I would prefer to pay. I figure if I have to buy new may as well go all the way with 32. If y’all say it’s not worth the gain right now then maybe I should just go with DDR4 after all.
 
I guess my main reason for wanting it is future proofing, but it IS more than I would prefer to pay. I figure if I have to buy new may as well go all the way with 32. If y’all say it’s not worth the gain right now then maybe I should just go with DDR4 after all.

RAM speed differences aren't as noticeable for most users as CPU speed or RAM amount. Maybe not noticeable at all if not extreme.

It might be a couple of years before DDR 5 is clearly the better choice and mainstream.

I'd just be reluctant to go very far out on the "future proofing" limb as regards RAM type.

If the DDR 5 premium versus the same amount of DDR 4 were 100 dollars, I'd rather spend it on some other component...most likely the CPU or more storage. Or video card if you are much of a gamer. Or even 32 of DDR 4 rather than 16 DDR 4.

I'm facing the same issue and have decided to delay for 6 months or a year when the next CPU generation is released. I'm hoping DDR 5 is noticeably cheaper then.
 

Hyozans

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Apr 22, 2015
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Thanks all for the additional input. Between that read and what you are saying about DDR4 vs DDR5 and I can see how it would make sense to wait, but I feel like I have been waiting forever haha. Some things to think about! Thank you for the link to that RAM.
 
12600K is a fine choice.
On ram, DDR4 and DDR5 performance is comparable.
I would buy a DDR4 motherboard and reuse your current ram.
That costs you nothing.
Then, if you feel the need for more or faster ram you can decide later.
On the motherboard, how many of the expansion slots do you plan to use?
For most of us, it is exactly one for the graphics card.
ATX has 7, MATX has 4. Usually MATX is priced more reasonably, particularly for a B660 chipset.
Overclocking a K suffix processor is no longer a way to get something for nothing.
Processors are binned and the better chips are sold as capable of higher turbo mechanism's.
To get the max turbo, conditions need to be right.
First, the workload must be modest.
Then, the cpu temperature needs to be 70c. or so.
To that end, look for a good cooler in a good case if you do not already have one.
Your case looks marginal to me. Only two 120mm front intakes assuming both are populated.
It should work though.
On the cooler, noctua maintains a list of coolers suitable for a 12600k:
https://ncc.noctua.at/cpus/model/Intel-Core-i5-12600K-1581
Probably the best that fits 158mm would be the NH-U12A
https://noctua.at/en/nh-u12a/specification
What cooler do you now have?

The cooler you now have may work if you get a lga1700 adapter for it.
 

Hyozans

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Well, I was thinking as far as slots go, that I may want one in the future for a new SSD. I probably won’t be overclocking anything, if I’m honest. I currently have the stock cooler that came with my i5-6500 Skylake CPU.
 
Well, I was thinking as far as slots go, that I may want one in the future for a new SSD. I probably won’t be overclocking anything, if I’m honest. I currently have the stock cooler that came with my i5-6500 Skylake CPU.

Most any recent motherboard will have 4, probably 6, SATA ports for SSDs or ordinary HDDs.

As well as 1 to 3 or 4 more ports for M.2 drives.

Anyone using integrated graphics may have nothing at all in the slots.
 

Hyozans

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I forget that the M.2 slots are separate than the other PSIe slots lol. Thanks


* Dedicated LGA1700 mounting
bracket is required.

I noticed it said this on the MOBO specs for that one I was looking at. Is this related to my case or CPU? Will I need to purchase something?
 
I forget that the M.2 slots are separate than the other PSIe slots lol. Thanks


* Dedicated LGA1700 mounting
bracket is required.

I noticed it said this on the MOBO specs for that one I was looking at. Is this related to my case or CPU? Will I need to purchase something?

It is related to your CPU cooler and its ability to mount properly on your motherboard.

Some coolers are sold with the bracket included.

Some are not.

If not, your choices might be:

1; buy another cooler

2; buy the proper mounting bracket/adapter if one has been manufactured

3; if one has been manufactured, your CPU cooler manufacturer may (or may not) supply it at no cost to you,
 
Personally, I don't think DDR5 is worth it yet for all but the absolute highest-end builds, especially for gaming, where the lower-end kits of DDR5-4800/5200 will tend to be outperformed by a much cheaper kit of DDR4-3200/3600. Games tend to benefit more from the lower latency of DDR4 than from the higher bandwidth of DDR5, especially when looking at these high-latency CAS 40 kits. You really have to get into the higher-end DDR5 kits in the 6000+ range before DDR5 can start pulling slightly ahead in games, and those kits are still way too expensive for a mid-range build. It's probably only worth investing in fast DDR5 if all other hardware in the system is near top-of-the-line, and one is looking to eke slightly more performance out of the system.

It would likely make more sense to spend the money on something like an i7 with DDR4 than an i5 with DDR5. Or put it toward a better graphics card, where spending an extra $100 will tend to provide far more gaming performance than what you would get from a better RAM kit, where the difference will be almost completely indistinguishable. I would argue the same for the motherboard as well, as you probably won't see a performance difference between a $300 motherboard and a $200 one.

As for your existing RAM, DDR4-2400 may hold back the processor's performance a little. And in the coming years, I suspect future games will benefit from have more than 16GB installed, even if they don't really need that today unless you are multitasking while gaming. So a RAM upgrade might not be bad, though it might also be worth seeing how your existing RAM works first. Especially since, if you stick with a 1070 Ti, the graphics card will often be the limiting factor more than anything if you are trying to run recent demanding games at higher graphics settings.

What resolution are you planning on gaming at? 1080p, 1440p, or something else? Also, what CPU are you coming from now?
 

Hyozans

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Thanks for all the replies again. You all are convincing me to stick with DDR4. xD Good points made.

I’m just planning on 1080p for the foreseeable future. My current CPU is i5-6500 Skylake
 
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