[SOLVED] Upgrading for Dell Optiplex 790

[wholenugget69]

Hello, I have a Dell Optiplex 790.

Specs:
i7 2600 3.4ghz
16gb of ddr3 1600mhz (4x4) but the system limits it to 1333mhz
asus OC 1060 6gb
750watt gold certified Evga PSU

I was wondering if there would be any mother board that supports the LGA1155 processor and amount of ram i have that i could upgrade too. I know in turn I would have to get a new case as well which is fine. But to the best of my knowledge the stock motherboard in the Optiplex 790, the best processor you can get for it is the i7 2600. Im looking for a motherboard that supports what i have now and also supports new/better processors in the LGA1155 socket line that could be overclock compatible. Or for that matter a different socket type with a better recommended cpu/motherboard combo that would be around the same price or cheaper then getting another LGA1155 motherboard and upgraded processor.

 

[Eximo]

I guess I am not 100% clear on your goal. You want a new processor, but you still want an LGA1155 board? Only one more generation after that, and it is a minor improvement at best. Since you already have an i7, that means the i7-3770 or i7-3770k.

If you want to keep your DDR3 then the highest you could go is Haswell, 4th generation with the LGA1150 socket. I would normally lean towards that, but, memory is cheap right now, so getting a DDR4 motherboard and processor would make more sense.

The early Ryzen chips were often compared to Haswell in terms of performance, so you can even stick with the cheap processors like the R3-2200G and come out with roughly the same performance. Even used i7-4770 command somewhat decent prices, i7-4770k and i7-4790k hold their value even more.

All depends on what you have to spend what the best option is.

 

[wholenugget69]

I guess I am not 100% clear on your goal. You want a new processor, but you still want an LGA1155 board? Only one more generation after that, and it is a minor improvement at best. Since you already have an i7, that means the i7-3770 or i7-3770k.

If you want to keep your DDR3 then the highest you could go is Haswell, 4th generation with the LGA1150 socket. I would normally lean towards that, but, memory is cheap right now, so getting a DDR4 motherboard and processor would make more sense.

The early Ryzen chips were often compared to Haswell in terms of performance, so you can even stick with the cheap processors like the R3-2200G and come out with roughly the same performance. Even used i7-4770 command somewhat decent prices, i7-4770k and i7-4790k hold their value even more.

All depends on what you have to spend what the best option is.

At some point i know im gonna have to upgrade from my gtx 1060 and im trying to make sure i get a processor that can keep up with performance as well if i decide to upgrade to a 1070/1080 ti. I guess im going for the cheaper of two options. I dont necessarily want to put money into getting 16gb of ddr4 ram yet, but i know with holiday sales coming up it could be more possible. Basing off what you said, in terms of price over performance as long as its better than what i have now with the i7 2600 would it be better to get a i7 4790k and motherboard to match and overclock it, or go with a different brand/socket type and overclocking that one as well that would yield similar results to overclocking a i7 4790k for around the same price or possible a cheaper one if possible

 

[Eximo]

You would have to shop around for an i7-4790k and a Z97 board. They probably won't be cheap. A quick look on ebay shows the CPU starting at ~$150 Buy it now $200, Z97 boards...if you can trust them, some refurbs from China, and a few okay looking ones for $90, some older Z87 boards for less, but not as fully featured.

If you shopped around you might get a deal, but you are only saving yourself the cost of the memory.

Whereas something like this is comparable comes with a warranty:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($118.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: GeIL EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $247.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-07 15:52 EDT-0400

Also 3rd gen Ryzen which more than rivals all but the last two generations from Intel, but still rather pricey.