Advice on upgrading MoBo/CPU/Cooler/RAM...
Advice on upgrading MoBo/CPU/Cooler/RAM...
Hello, I'm just getting started in this community and haven't been around much lately. My previous build was replaced a few years ago, and I'd like to refresh it so I can upgrade the GPU later on.
The parts I have for reuse are:
Case: Corsair 350D mATX
PSU: Corsair Supernova 850 G2
GPU: EVGA 1080 Ti SC
Storage: Multiple SSDs
Monitor: ASUS ROG PG279Q
I'm planning to get a solid but not top-tier build again. This includes a good CPU, liquid cooler, and RAM. In about 18 to 24 months, I intend to upgrade the PSU and GPU as well, and move the monitor up to 4K or similar specs like my current ROG setup.
I'm unsure whether AMD or Intel is better now, or if AMD/Nvidia are worth considering later. My main goal is to be able to run some games smoothly at 2K or 4K with 120fps or higher:
- Starfield with mods
- Halo Infinite
- Atomic Heart
- Cyberpunk 2077 with mods
- RoboCop: Rogue City
For the budget, I'm aiming for around $400 to $600 (possibly up to $750 if needed).
Thank you for any advice. Please let me know if more details would help in making this decision.
The most important thing to remember about your situation is space. I emphasize this because your present case only accommodates mini-ITX or Micro-ATX motherboards. I suggest visiting pcpartpicker.com (if available in the US and UK) and entering either option to see the more common styles. This will assist you in ensuring compatibility, such as checking memory requirements, and help maintain it by highlighting any potential issues.
Do you believe using a bigger ATX case would help with cooling, especially since you live in the South East US where it's hot and humid? I aim to keep the room below 80°F. Would ATX Mobo devices be more affordable or similar in price, offering better value for the features?
I don’t believe the difference in motherboard prices will be substantial. From what I understand, am4 is marginally more affordable, but you might want to explore Intel’s 12th or 13th series options. Recently, I bought an i5 12600kf for around $140 on Amazon and a Thermalright peerless assassin for just under forty dollars. It would make sense to consider models in that price bracket. A few days back, Newegg listed an ASRock z690 board for $99.99.