[SOLVED] Upgrading older computers I built on this forum

[jonahg]

Hi. 6 Years ago i asked these forums for help building a computer for myself, as well as a second more cost efficient computer as a gift for my parents. Both have exceeded expectations i would say, My computer is still running all the games that i want to play on the highest settings without any problems. However i recently did a little work on my parents computer to get it working again (and it runs fine by what i can see). My father had (in his words) gave the computer just the lightest love tap with his hand and it stopped working. I took everything apart and re-assembled it, adding a new motherboard battery cell and applying new thermal paste, as well as cleaning all the dust (eeee-gads) I'm not much of a computer person, i only do what work i need to do and thanks to these forums i have not needed to do much of anything for a very long time. However i was wondering if there are any upgrades worth looking into (mostly for my parents computer) but also looking for suggestions for my own computer, or suggestions involving buying new parts for my computer and putting my old ones in my parents.

I have windows reinstall disk and all the original driver cd's for everything. My parents have neither the windows CD nor any of the driver cd's. (which is my excuse anytime they ask for computer help i just say well i would just reinstall windows but noooo somebody lost the cd's A lot of the stuff i bought on Amazon and it was easy enough to lookup so i included links where i could.

Parents Computer:

Antec VP-450 450 Watt
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IZN3K2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Kingston Digital 240GB SSDNow V300 SATA 3 2.5 (7mm height)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A1ZTZNM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cooler Master N200 - Mini Tower Computer Case
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00COGDERY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Motherboard-ASRock H97m Pro4

Intel(R)core(TM)i3-4160 CPU @ 3.6ghz

2 sticks of 4gb ram (8gb total) i can pull a stick and read it if you want.


Videocard: AMD Radeon HD 6670 (i put an old videocard of mine their computer but i don't think it's turned on because this is the motherboards video is it not?)

Windows 10 Home

Tripp Lite surge protector

1TB harddrive

BitDefender anti-virus
free version of Super Anti-spyware



My computer:

Cooler Master HAF X - Full Tower
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCXF6MG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Corsair Hydro Series H60
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0HZMGA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Corsair Neutron Series GTX 2.5-Inch 240GB
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AW3O4WU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Asus Z87-A DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRJSV9O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

SeaSonic 650-Watt
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00918N4A0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

EVGA GeForce GTX780
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUIVTCS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Intel(r)Core(tm)i7-4770k cpu @ 3.5 ghz 3501 mhz 4 cores

2 8gb sticks (16gb) of some type of ram (i can pull one out and read it if you want)

Windows 10 Pro

Tripp Lite surge protector

4TB of Hard Drives

BitDefender anti-virus
free version of Super Anti-spyware

 

[extreme_noob]

May want to replace the SSDs in both your computers with something more reliable, and perhaps higher capacity (500GB). I suggest Crucial MX500, or Samsung 860 Evo. May also want to replace their PSU with some better unit. CX450M is what I suggest.

Videocard: AMD Radeon HD 6670 (i put an old videocard of mine their computer but i don't think it's turned on because this is the motherboards video is it not?)

What do you mean by this?
On to your system:
Are you happy with performance in games still? Your PSU is solid, but your SSD is... Questionable at best.
If you aren't happy with performance in games, a CPU + MOBO + RAM + GPU swap may be in order.
Case looks okay, but not great.

Also if you are confident in your ability to avoid malware and spyware, uninstall that AV software. Windows Defender is just about as good, and these AV software disable Defender.

 

[jonahg]

Good advice. I was thinking of upgrading the SSD to a larger one. 5-6 years ago when they were built i believe it was new technology so i went with a small one and backup hard drives for both computers. It would certainly help me to have more storage room on my main drive for more games. My parents though are only using up 25% of the ssd. Do you think that would improve performance for them? I would like to avoid replacing the SSD if possible because it would involve reinstalling windows and i'm not even sure how to do that for my parents. I would probably end up just buying a new copy if i did that to avoid headaches unless someone has easy suggestions on how to recover the code and get new cd's or what not. It might even be a headache for me as well because im running windows 10 but my cd's i have are for windows 8.

I was hoping maybe i would get advice something along the lines of a new cpu i could put in my computer and swap my cpu into my parents computer. And perhaps a new video card i could put into my computer and swap into my parents computer. I would like to avoid new power supplies if i can as that is a lot of work for me to get the new one setup properly (i really am not very good) Do you think the power supply can effect performance? In my mind i though it was a (they work untill they fail) kind of thing. I would also like to try to avoid reinstalling windows unless it's for my parents and in the form of a fresh copy that would be hassle free to install. But that really would be a good thing because any issues they are having are probably software/bug/virus related and a clean install would fix all that, no?

 

[nostall]

That is the video card. If you were using the intel on-chip graphics it would tell you something about intel HD 4400 graphics. However, is their monitor connected to the video card outputs or the mobo outputs; if the mobo outpt. then, yes, they have been using the on-board graphics. Just adding a clarification.

 

[extreme_noob]

Good advice. I was thinking of upgrading the SSD to a larger one. 5-6 years ago when they were built i believe it was new technology so i went with a small one and backup hard drives for both computers. It would certainly help me to have more storage room on my main drive for more games. My parents though are only using up 25% of the ssd. Do you think that would improve performance for them? I would like to avoid replacing the SSD if possible because it would involve reinstalling windows and i'm not even sure how to do that for my parents. I would probably end up just buying a new copy if i did that to avoid headaches unless someone has easy suggestions on how to recover the code and get new cd's or what not. It might even be a headache for me as well because im running windows 10 but my cd's i have are for windows 8.

I was hoping maybe i would get advice something along the lines of a new cpu i could put in my computer and swap my cpu into my parents computer. And perhaps a new video card i could put into my computer and swap into my parents computer. I would like to avoid new power supplies if i can as that is a lot of work for me to get the new one setup properly (i really am not very good) I would also like to try to avoid reinstalling windows unless it's for my parents and in the form of a fresh copy that would be hassle free to install

If your parents are really using just 25% of the SSD, there is no need to upgrade. Larger capacity SSDs do have higher read/write speeds, but it's not noticeable.
For a new CPU, I'd just recommend getting a new CPU+MOBO+RAM combo. For this, get either a Ryzen 5 2600 or 3600, and MSI B450 Tomahawk if you go with the 2600, or Tomahawk MAX if you go with the 3600. For ram, Ryzen likes fast ram, so this is the kit you should get: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/jB...-2-x-8-gb-ddr4-3600-memory-f4-3600c16d-16gvkc DDR4 3600 with CAS 16.
I also suggest you get a new GPU if you can, but if you can't with your budget, that's completely fine.

You probably don't need to swap power supplies at all. The swap I mentioned was just a suggestion since the PSU in your parents' computer is not great, but good enough for a system of that type. The PSU in your system also good enough for a gaming PC.

 

[jonahg]

This cpu/mobo/ram that you suggest are for my parents computer correct? I would need to get a new copy of windows then as well since it is tied to the motherboard and ssd? Would the case and power supply support it all? It's doable. I would not mind spending 500 or so for them. So you don't think giving them my old cpu/video card and getting myself new ones is not really viable and would not help?

Thanks for the clarification on the videocard. I read it from the system info and it sounded odd to me, and yes, duh, if its plugged into the video card then it's using it :-/

 

[USAFRet]

If your parents are really using just 25% of the SSD, there is no need to upgrade. Larger capacity SSDs do have higher read/write speeds, but it's not noticeable.

I believe the drive change was recommended (and I agree) because that V300 was a crappy drive when it was new, and it has 6 years on it.

 

[jonahg]

Hmmmmm and those newer ssd's aren't too expensive from what i see.

Perhaps for my parents a fresh copy of windows (for my own ease) a new ssd.
That would be a simple and cheap upgrade that would help don't you think? The fresh install would resolve any software issues and the new ssd would replace a known bad one and be a generally good upgrade anyways.

Is it possible to give them my cpu and get myself a newer one for my own pc that is compatible with everything? Would them upgrading from an i3 to an i7 certainly not help their performance?

 

[extreme_noob]

I believe the drive change was recommended (and I agree) because that V300 was a crappy drive when it was new, and it has 6 years on it.

Right. I forgot I mentioned that. With a lot of drives, 6 years is more than enough to warrant replacement, but this drive in particular just isn't very good. If necessary, you can keep the SSD until it breaks, but keep many backups. But if you do get a new SSD (You should), you won't have to fresh install windows. You can just get some cloning software (I am partial to Macrium Reflect) and clone the current contents of the old drive onto the new drive. But after 6 years, and who knows what kind of crappy software or strange driver issues on that drive exist, maybe a fresh install is a good idea.

Hmmmmm and those newer ssd's aren't too expensive from what i see.

Perhaps for my parents a fresh copy of windows (for my own ease) a new ssd.
That would be a simple and cheap upgrade that would help don't you think? The fresh install would resolve any software issues and the new ssd would replace a known bad one and be a generally good upgrade anyways.

Is it possible to give them my cpu and get myself a newer one for my own pc that is compatible with everything? Would them upgrading from an i3 to an i7 certainly not help there performance?

Giving them the i7 would certainly increase performance but they likely dont even need it anyways. Still would be nice. As for a CPU for you, unless you can find an i7 4970K (which still won't get you too much more performance) for really cheap, you should just get a new CPU and mobo and ram, as I suggested earlier.

 

[USAFRet]

For an ancient install such as this...a clean start is strongly recommended.
Cloning just moves several years of cruft into a new drive.

 

[jonahg]

Thank you. I think that i will get a new SSD and copy of windows for my parents computer. Then at some point in the future when i overhaul my own computer i will give them my CPU and graphics card too (though they don't really need it) Or just give them my whole system.

Three more questions for you guys, and thanks again for all the help.

What do you suggest for a SSD, preferably through amazon? Is there issues with the SSD on my own computer as well? And would my parents power supply and motherboard support the i7/gtx780 swap from my own computer?

 

[USAFRet]

Crucial MX500, 500GB, $65
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-500GB-NAND-Internal/dp/B0786QNS9B

 

[extreme_noob]

Crucial MX500, 500GB, $65
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-500GB-NAND-Internal/dp/B0786QNS9B

Wow I didn't think the MX 500 was so cheap. Definitely get this.

Thank you. I think that i will get a new SSD and copy of windows for my parents computer. Then at some point in the future when i overhaul my own computer i will give them my CPU and graphics card too (though they don't really need it) Or just give them my whole system.

Three more questions for you guys, and thanks again for all the help.

What do you suggest for a SSD, preferably through amazon? Is there issues with the SSD on my own computer as well? And would my parents power supply and motherboard support the i7/gtx780 swap from my own computer?

For whether your SSD needs to be swapped, I am not sure. I just said it's questionable, since Corsair has never really been well known for sata SSDs. USAFRet probably knows more about this than me.
That being said, it's probably better for you to replace it anyways, since the drive is really old.

Yes, their PSU and mobo will work with a 4770K, but don't put a GTX 780 in it without a PSU upgrade. They probably don't need it anyways.
If you do end up giving your system to them you should give them your current PSU and replace the old one. But I still don't think you should, since, again, they probably don't need it.

 

[jonahg]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure i went with ssd's that were on sale when i built these computers and probably not what was suggested here at the time. I think i'll get them the SSD and a new copy of windows and at some point probably just give them my whole build when i eventually get myself a new computer. If they can stomach the case i'm using that is :-/ And then maybe a whole new build for them at some point too. It's probably not worth it to upgrade my own computer at all until i eventually just want to build an entirely new one. I don't have any issues at all for right now and the SSD is holding up for me right now. The main reaon i was thinking of upgrading my computer was that i thought giving them my i7 would be a big improvement to their build.

 

[jonahg]

I have a few questions about upgrading a build i did 6 years ago for my parents and also a build i did for myself. I've already got two new 500gb ssd's for both builds to replace the 250gb main drives. I want to replace the power supply for both builds too while i'm at it. Does anyone have any suggestions for compatible options? preferably amazon. Also looking for a suggestion for a new videocard for my build to shelve for later reference. Any help?

My parents computer:

Antec VP-450 450 Watt
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IZN3K2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Kingston Digital 240GB SSDNow V300 SATA 3 2.5 (7mm height)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A1ZTZNM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cooler Master N200 - Mini Tower Computer Case
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00COGDERY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Motherboard-ASRock H97m Pro4

Intel(R)core(TM)i3-4160 CPU @ 3.6ghz

2 sticks of 4gb ram (8gb total) i can pull a stick and read it if you want.

Videocard: AMD Radeon HD 6670

Windows 10 Home

1TB harddrive




My computer:

Cooler Master HAF X - Full Tower
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCXF6MG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Corsair Hydro Series H60
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0HZMGA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Corsair Neutron Series GTX 2.5-Inch 240GB
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AW3O4WU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Asus Z87-A DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRJSV9O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

SeaSonic 650-Watt
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00918N4A0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

EVGA GeForce GTX780
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUIVTCS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Intel(r)Core(tm)i7-4770k cpu @ 3.5 ghz 3501 mhz 4 cores

2 8gb sticks (16gb) of some type of ram (i can pull one out and read it if you want)

Windows 10 Pro

4TB of Hard Drives

 

[Lutfij]

Stop creating multiple threads. You already have received answers for the thread on the same topic, prior.