Question What to upgrade?

[kuurth]

I have been thinking about upgrading my computer again and was wondering what I should upgrade?

Here are the specs:
Mainboard: MSI Pro Z690-A wifi
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-Z690-A-WIFI

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FXFJW2F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

Cooling: Noctua NH-U12S Redux
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WPDD6GD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
There is also 2 other fans, one on the front to suck air in and one on the back for exhaust. I wouldn't mind going with water cooling, but I do not trust myself to install it. Any mistake and I could ruin everything.

GPU: AMD Radeon RX7900 XTX
https://www.microcenter.com/product...d-triple-fan-24gb-gddr6-pcie-40-graphics-card

RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RW6Z692/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

PSU: EVEA 1000w
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Supernova-Modular-Warranty-220-G5-1000-X1/dp/B07WMTD41Z/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3IWGUYOXBYTTI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SI2jwnVCbrTp9HQZNP6JaMvjXTE0eap8-yDMV3TpCun59-ryibNgtzo3XYBpsa-brY6dv8O4t2Tb6yVninv2caqSFYwYWSJwq3HRtbiDJCNPmkxNGA5nh_T6aNVaYt1d7_VJ9ss4N0BNtz_Ta5wLqwu5JZcDa6TM2V9c0rn5h3KV7X_crZHkkt6jTPh-G2GH8mB3XIr__PvzuiL95-4mZ_-ETfziKEi5iHN0dt9zP8yxeKjBocHCTrD6LNG-e9H8PSoHACAOJgWxFC52NbtueOu6nkv99AAIeg9kjB093Fc.DNEUbaXjl7sG6qWfbd_HoudCFiy7Ssh5KDOxrzRc_CE&dib_tag=se&keywords=evga+1000w+power+supply&qid=1716325383&s=electronics&sprefix=evga+1000w,electronics,108&sr=1-4

Storage:

Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN550 NVMe Internal SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8Gb/s, M.2 2280, 3D NAND, Up to 2,400 MB/s - WDS100T2B0C​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YFFX5MD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s04?ie=UTF8&th=1
I also have 2 other hard drives, an SSD and an older platter drive.

Monitor: 24" AOC

Case: NZXT HS10
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TD9C5HS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s03?ie=UTF8&th=1

​

I thought to maybe change the CPU to something better.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help!

Now, I live in Ohio, in the USA. Preferred seller? I'm not picky. I mainly buy off of Amazon or go to Microcenter in Columbus.
My budget is, preferably less than 1k.
I use my computer for gaming, browsing the web, listening to music and watching movies.
Why do I want to upgrade my computer? Because I want to. I wouldn't mind it being cooler and the entire PC a little more future proof. I have no real complaints or problems with it. After 30+ years of having to 'make do' with what I can get, I finally have a job that affords me the luxury of having a good computer!

I do not want a bigger monitor and I already have a good new chair and new desk, so those aren't needed. Yes, you can upgrade 'just because'!

 

[Lutfij]

You could go with an unlocked i7 or even an i9 then again, what are you using to cool that processor? I would opt for a K suffix processor as opposed to a F SKU since a iGPU is invaluable to have when you need to diagnose display related issues.

What is the make and model of your case, the number of fans in said case and their orientation?

RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX
Got a link to this kit?

Just an FYI, you should stylize your post with info asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

including your location, your preferred site for purchase, your use case scenario and your budget for said upgrade.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I have been thinking about upgrading my computer again and was wondering what I should upgrade?

What for?
In what scenario does your pc not do, what you want from it?
You upgrade for a reason. Not just because of an itch for upgrade itself.

If you can't think of any reason, then may be get a better monitor or better chair instead.

 

[lvt]

Make it water-cooled

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Maybe an oled monitor?

Possibly a 14700kf?

 

[kuurth]

You could go with an unlocked i7 or even an i9 then again, what are you using to cool that processor? I would opt for a K suffix processor as opposed to a F SKU since a iGPU is invaluable to have when you need to diagnose display related issues.

What is the make and model of your case, the number of fans in said case and their orientation?

RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX
Got a link to this kit?

Just an FYI, you should stylize your post with info asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

including your location, your preferred site for purchase, your use case scenario and your budget for said upgrade.

I don't know the difference in a K suffix processor and an F. To be totally frank, when I build my computers, I generally look at different 'Top 10 Gaming Builds' and find what I can afford from those, while making sure they are all compatible with each other. I don't get into the finer points. Can you explain the difference to me?

I had thought about upgrading the CPU as it was not the one I really wanted at the time. It was what I could afford on top of all the other components I needed. At the time GPUs were still going for outrageous prices (covid prices), if you will. So, a larger chunk of my budget needed to go to that. That GPU also is not the one that I currently have installed. I bought my current GPU just last year as an upgrade. The thing is so big that it barely fits into my case. It's the biggest card I have ever owned!

 

[Why_Me]

I wouldn't mind it being cooler and the entire PC a little more future proof.

The 120mm fan goes inside the back of this case for an exhaust fan.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor ($210.30 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *Deepcool AG620 67.88 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Case: *Fractal Design Focus 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ B&H)
Case Fan: *ARCTIC P12 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fan ($8.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $329.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-05-22 21:46 EDT-0400

https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...-25m-cache-up-to-5-00-ghz/specifications.html

https://www.deepcool.com/products/C...al-Tower-CPU-Cooler-1700-AM5/2022/15900.shtml

https://www.arctic.de/us/P12-PWM-PST/ACFAN00120A

https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/focus/focus-2/black-tg-clear-tint/

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIG4vFQbDn4

 

[SkyNetRising]

Why do I want to upgrade my computer? Because I want to.
I have no real complaints or problems with it.
Yes, you can upgrade 'just because'!

So no real reason for doing any of this.
Good luck figuring out, what you want, when you don't need it.

Monitor: 24" AOC
I do not want a bigger monitor

Oh. You're fine with 24" ?
This is area where it would definitely make sense for improvement.
32" or 34" screen (1440p or 4k) would compliment that RX7900 XTX very well.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I can understand the monitor. I once tried a 32 inch. Previously had a 27 inch. The 32 inch felt too big. I ended up going back to a 27 inch.

 

[35below0]

I can understand the monitor. I once tried a 32 inch. Previously had a 27 inch. The 32 inch felt too big. I ended up going back to a 27 inch.

I get you. I have a 32" and while i'm fond of it now, it felt too big. And still does sometimes.


To your question:

- forget RAM. 64Gb is not likely to be used in years
- water cooling is not going to perform better
- your existing CPU cooler will outlast a water cooler
- as your PSU ages, you should cosider a replacement. Look ar hwbusters.com (i recommend premium efficiency and silence, but it's up to you)
- don't buy a GPU now. Wait until Christmas - Easter next year. Huge number of great choices are coming.
- This is a nice little NVMe to consider: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2V...-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fpk002t0c101
- consider a mechanical keyboard but definetly test the different keys in a shop! - Keychron V6 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard – Keychron | Mechanical Keyboards for Mac, Windows and Android
I also like the full size Viper V765, but to each their own. It's butt ugly in promo pictures but looks nice on my desk

So the only thing to upgrade is the CPU really. Or the case if you see one you like.
The ideal CPU is the 14700K. You should update your motherboard BIOS before installing a new CPU.
Grab some new thermal paste if you need it, because you will have to re-install the cooler.

The CPU and GPU are the logical upgrade but as i say, don't buy a GPU just yet. Timing isn't right. But you can grab the 14700K. It's expensive but it's the second strongest intel right now, and frankly the 14900K is kinda overkill.


Edit - Maybe nice speakers? A little bit more money than your usual desktop rubbish can make a lot of difference.

 

[kuurth]

I get you. I have a 32" and while i'm fond of it now, it felt too big. And still does sometimes.


To your question:

- forget RAM. 64Gb is not likely to be used in years
- water cooling is not going to perform better
- your existing CPU cooler will outlast a water cooler
- as your PSU ages, you should cosider a replacement. Look ar hwbusters.com (i recommend premium efficiency and silence, but it's up to you)
- don't buy a GPU now. Wait until Christmas - Easter next year. Huge number of great choices are coming.
- This is a nice little NVMe to consider: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2V...-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fpk002t0c101
- consider a mechanical keyboard but definetly test the different keys in a shop! - Keychron V6 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard – Keychron | Mechanical Keyboards for Mac, Windows and Android
I also like the full size Viper V765, but to each their own. It's butt ugly in promo pictures but looks nice on my desk

So the only thing to upgrade is the CPU really. Or the case if you see one you like.
The ideal CPU is the 14700K. You should update your motherboard BIOS before installing a new CPU.
Grab some new thermal paste if you need it, because you will have to re-install the cooler.

The CPU and GPU are the logical upgrade but as i say, don't buy a GPU just yet. Timing isn't right. But you can grab the 14700K. It's expensive but it's the second strongest intel right now, and frankly the 14900K is kinda overkill.


Edit - Maybe nice speakers? A little bit more money than your usual desktop rubbish can make a lot of difference.

Thanks for the input. I wont need a new PSU for a long while. I bought it a couple of days after I got the new video card and found out that my original 750w PSU wasn't powerful enough for it.

After all the responses, I think I will go with the CPU and maybe a new cooler to go on it and of course thermal paste! Can't forget that! Why the heck do they sell it in quantities large enough to do an entire server room worth of computers, when you only need a little bit?? LOL

Thank you all for the help!

 

[35below0]

Thanks for the input. I wont need a new PSU for a long while. I bought it a couple of days after I got the new video card and found out that my original 750w PSU wasn't powerful enough for it.

After all the responses, I think I will go with the CPU and maybe a new cooler to go on it and of course thermal paste! Can't forget that! Why the heck do they sell it in quantities large enough to do an entire server room worth of computers, when you only need a little bit?? LOL

Thank you all for the help!

You don't have to buy paste if you have it already. Unless it's old.
Why they sell a lot? I think it doesn't make a difference to their profit margin, and if they sold ONE drop for the money, people would come at them with torches and pitchforks.
This way everybody is happy (to complain about something else).

If you're not in a hurry, you can afford to look for discounts and deals on a new CPU. The 14700K is a little bit pricey. Worth it, but it's still $400