[SOLVED] Upgrade Options?

[Airras]

Hi All,

I built my system appx 10 years to date and wondered what options if any did I have to upgrade components etc. I recently upgraded my GPU and increased memeory as well as swapped out my old hard drives to SSD. I have a very good Asus LGA1155 motherboard. As a side note I wasnt able to play star citizen with what I had until the recent upgrades mainly GPU from a GTX 550ti. This makes me wonder how far behind I may be systemwide. Welcome any and all suggestions on the way forward.


CPU : intel i5-2500K 3.30ghz
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 Pro
RAM: 24gb DDR 3 ( 2-4GB and 2- 8 GB)
GPU: ASUS GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (DUAL-GTX1060-O6G)
PSU: 850W cooler master Real Power Pro 850 EMBA
CPU Fan: Cool Master Hyper N520 heat sink
Storage: 2 1TB Samsung SSD 870 EVO SCSI Drives
Windows 10 x64

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

wondered what options if any did I have to upgrade components

modern motherboard & CPU with a nice cooler and DDR4/5 memory would be a huge improvement.
along with that an RTX 3000 or RX 6000 series graphics card could also provide a huge improvement.
you also need to upgrade your power supply from that potentially dangerous CM Real Power.

but the majority of those upgrades really depend on what you are using this system for or what you would like to use it for.
for any type of modern gaming or other heavy processing tasks you could see a vast improvement in performance.

 

[Lafong]

i5 2500 is around 10 years old.

You have to change boards to do anything significant.

 

[Airras]

you also need to upgrade your power supply from that potentially dangerous CM Real Power.

Curious on the potentially dangerous PSU has there been issues related to this model?

 

[Airras]

i5 2500 is around 10 years old.

You have to change boards to do anything significant.

Yeah I kinda stated the same on being 10 years old... however suggestion noted a new motherboard required.

 

[Why_Me]

Yeah I kinda stated the same on being 10 years old... however suggestion noted a new motherboard required.

Do you have a budget?

 

[Lafong]

New board

New DDR 4 RAM

New 12th gen CPU of your choice.

Those 3 pieces will make a world of difference.

Budget? Location?

 

[Airras]

Do you have a budget?

Whatever makes sense to upgrade before investing new system money and on that subject I am open. I dont need a screaming gaming computer but not a entry level either I would say a mid range fast computer with options to upgrade.

 

[Airras]

New board

New DDR 4 RAM

New 12th gen CPU of your choice.

Those 3 pieces will make a world of difference.

Budget? Location?

Mid range computer and budget average $1000 , I am more Intel esk so would prefer to stay in the i5 or i7, I am in Florida so whatever that brings. Based on the inputs it would appear my P8P67 is about had its time and a new MB is due. If this is the case then happy to build a new computer and would take any suggestions on the same. Starting with the MB and CPU

 

[Lafong]

Are you wedded to full size ATX motherboards rather than micro ATX?

If not overclocking, consider Intel B660 series boards; either full or micro ATX.

Base system probably 16 GB DDR 4; 2 sticks of 8 in a single kit.

Anywhere from i5 12400 on up to 12700 depending on budget.

Quite possibly a new air cooler as well. Or liquid if you must.

 

[Why_Me]

Whatever makes sense to upgrade before investing new system money and on that subject I am open. I dont need a screaming gaming computer but not a entry level either I would say a mid range fast computer with options to upgrade.

This gives you an idea of what you're looking at cost wise.

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-B660M-Motherboard-Intel-Socket/dp/B09NTMRRTL/
MSI PRO B660M-A DDR4 $129.99

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B660M-A-DDR4

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-12400F-Desktop-Processor-Cache/dp/B09NPJRDGD
Intel Core i5-12400F $169.94

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

https://www.amazon.com/DEEP-COOL-AK-Sys/dp/B09PCWK7SP
DeepCool AK400 CPU Cooler $34.99

https://global.deepcool.com/product...AK400-Performance-CPU-Cooler/2021/15222.shtml

https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-3200MHz-Desktop/dp/B07T637L7T/
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (2x8GB) CL16 $59.99

Total: $394.91

 

[Airras]

Are you wedded to full size ATX motherboards rather than micro ATX?

If not overclocking, consider Intel B660 series boards; either full or micro ATX.

Base system probably 16 GB DDR 4; 2 sticks of 8 in a single kit.

Anywhere from i5 12400 on up to 12700 depending on budget.

Quite possibly a new air cooler as well. Or liquid if you must.

Yes I would like to keep my old rusty duty and reliable Alienware area 51 ATX case but agree and will look into the i5 versions

 

[Airras]

This gives you an idea of what you're looking at cost wise.

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-B660M-Motherboard-Intel-Socket/dp/B09NTMRRTL/
MSI PRO B660M-A DDR4 $129.99

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B660M-A-DDR4

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-12400F-Desktop-Processor-Cache/dp/B09NPJRDGD
Intel Core i5-12400F $169.94

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

https://www.amazon.com/DEEP-COOL-AK-Sys/dp/B09PCWK7SP
DeepCool AK400 CPU Cooler $34.99

https://global.deepcool.com/product...AK400-Performance-CPU-Cooler/2021/15222.shtml

https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-3200MHz-Desktop/dp/B07T637L7T/
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (2x8GB) CL16 $59.99

Total: $394.91

Great info thanks

 

[Lafong]

Yes I would like to keep my old rusty duty and reliable Alienware area 51 ATX case but agree and will look into the i5 versions

You can certainly put a micro ATX board in a full ATX case.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

has there been issues related to this model?

yes.
the Cooler Master Real Power series has been reported to catch fire in worse case scenario and damage connected components even in best case scenario.
if you've gotten along with it for ~10 years then you've been fairly lucky.

 

[Airras]

yes.
the Cooler Master Real Power series has been reported to catch fire in worse case scenario and damage connected components even in best case scenario.
if you've gotten along with it for ~10 years then you've been fairly lucky.

Wow thats a shocker and thanks for the info I will look to swap out as age is more than likely increasing my probability. Great info thanks

 

[Airras]

Decided to build a new computer after all the input. (For which I am very grateful) I believe I have a handle on everything except for the insane variance on GPU not to mention cost. As intially noted I have the ASUS GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 Graphics Card (DUAL-GTX1060-O6G) and it was a recent upgrade however open to see what the next step is. I checked out a few cards that you guys have installed and some of these prices are insane just wondering what a excellent card would be that puts me in the pack perhaps not at the extreme front. I settled on a ASUS STRIX Z590 MB and will upgrade to i7 11 gen.

 

[Why_Me]

I settled on a ASUS STRIX Z590 MB and will upgrade to i7 11 gen.

But why?

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.newegg.com/evga-supernova-550-ga-220-ga-0550-x1-550w/p/1HU-00J7-004V3
EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GA 80+ Gold 550W Modular Power Supply $54.99

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144528
MSI MAG B660M BAZOOKA DDR4 $139.99

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-12400F-Desktop-Processor-Cache/dp/B09NPJRDGD
Intel Core i5-12400F $169.94

https://www.amazon.com/DEEP-COOL-AK-Sys/dp/B09PCWK7SP
DeepCool AK400 CPU Cooler $34.99

https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-3200MHz-Desktop/dp/B07T637L7T/
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (2x8GB) CL16 $59.99

https://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS1030-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B08M49JGKB/

PNY CS1030 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 Internal SSD $79.99

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-RTX-3060-12G/dp/B08WPRMVWB/
MSI RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB OC Graphics Card $414.99

Total: $954.88

https://www.amazon.com/Wíndоws-Hоmе-Flаsh-Drivе-Uрgrаdе/dp/B09RPM6L1T/
Windоws 10 Hоmе USВ | 2022 | Frее Uрgrаdе tо Wíndоws 11 $109.00

i5 12400 / 12400F > i7 11700K

 

[Airras]

https://www.newegg.com/evga-supernova-550-ga-220-ga-0550-x1-550w/p/1HU-00J7-004V3
EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GA 80+ Gold 550W Modular Power Supply $54.99

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144528
MSI MAG B660M BAZOOKA DDR4 $139.99

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-12400F-Desktop-Processor-Cache/dp/B09NPJRDGD
Intel Core i5-12400F $169.94

https://www.amazon.com/DEEP-COOL-AK-Sys/dp/B09PCWK7SP
DeepCool AK400 CPU Cooler $34.99

https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-Force-Vulcan-3200MHz-Desktop/dp/B07T637L7T/
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (2x8GB) CL16 $59.99

https://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS1030-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B08M49JGKB/

PNY CS1030 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 Internal SSD $79.99

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-RTX-3060-12G/dp/B08WPRMVWB/
MSI RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB OC Graphics Card $414.99

Total: $954.88

https://www.amazon.com/Wíndоws-Hоmе-Flаsh-Drivе-Uрgrаdе/dp/B09RPM6L1T/
Windоws 10 Hоmе USВ | 2022 | Frее Uрgrаdе tо Wíndоws 11 $109.00

i5 12400 / 12400F > i7 11700K

Hi,

Appreciate if you can give me your input on a GPU's that can meet current and future needs. I have switched up my build to a Z690 instead of 590 and everything associated with it but stuck on the GPU especially based on prices. I don't just want cheap for price sake but a good buy.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Take a look at the amd rx 6600. Those can be found for about 300 new but are close to the 3060 for performance. They don’t do as well in ray tracing but you aren’t doing that now, and ray tracing cuts down on performance a bit as well.

On the amd side you can look at the 6700xt. Those new should be about 500, and be closer to a 3060 ti. They do have a 6600xt, but it’s not a lot faster than the normal 6600 and is probably 350-400.

On nvidia side, you can look at the 3060ti or 3070. Either of those should be a good upgrade from the 1060. Personally I’ve got a 1060 3gb card in my pc, but I ordered an amd 6700xt. I got mine through eBay, but I only paid 430 for it. If you don’t mind used hardware you can look at that route. If you do however read the descriptions very carefully, see if they have return options and look at the seller’s feedback and how much feedback they have.

In my case the seller had over 5000 feedback with a 99.6% positive rate, and offered returns. The way it looks is that the card is a manufacturer refurbished card, they said it was a replacement from msi. So my guess is they were mining on cards, one went out and this one is the replacement that may not have gotten used. But if you go that route be careful. Though over the years I’ve bought and sold at least 4-5 cards that way and have had good luck.

Also of note is that I’m hearing q3 so probably the fall new cards may start coming out. So you could sit on the 1060 and see what arrives. For me since cryptos are down, I decided to get a card while they are down. But with new cards coming up I’d go as high as you are comfortable. Case in point, amd had the rx5700xt a couple of years back, now it’s performance is in line with the 6600xt. So you can surmise that a 6700xt will be about the same as a 7600xt for example, or that a 3060 today may be about like using a 4050 in a year or so.