Build a computer for your sister or upgrade an existing one
Build a computer for your sister or upgrade an existing one
Hey! For your sister’s build, a solid choice would be a Ryzen 5 5600X motherboard under 200. It should support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and M.2 slots. Make sure it has a good Ryzen processor and enough RAM for her needs.
Current gen Ryzen CPUs and AM4 platform are at end of life. I would suggest if you want to get into newer platform then 12 gen Intel will suit your requirements. If you are already rocking an AM4 motherboard then you might be able to upgrade to a better Ryzen CPU. But if are building a new pc (new mobo, new CPU) then 12 gen Intel is way to go or else you could wait for the next lineup of AMD CPUs and motherboards.
For modern Ryzen CPUs, a suitable B550 motherboard with Wi-Fi should cost between 100-150 USD. If your old GTX 1060 stops working, you might rely on the built-in graphics as a backup. When thinking about Intel 12th generation, choose an Intel core i5 12400 paired with a solid B660 board. Intel generally provides superior performance compared to Ryzen options.
Your overall budget for the CPU+MBO card setup is likely around $300.
Right now you're using an i5-8400. Consider upgrading to a newer i5 like the 12th gen or i3, paired with a compatible motherboard for better performance.
It seems like you're considering a budget of about $300 to $400 and might be holding off until Black Friday.
Consider the Intel I5 12th generation and a fresh b660 motherboard. A downside of Intel is that each time you upgrade your CPU, you need a new motherboard.
There are whispers about Intel and AMD shifting away from DDR4 toward DDR5. This could mean some 600-series Intel systems won't work with 13th generation processors. It's just a rumor, not yet confirmed.