Build AdviceHelp With Upgrades
Build AdviceHelp With Upgrades
Hello,
I received the PC about a year ago and was told to consider upgrades.
I’m unsure where to begin, but I’m now seeing warnings that I can’t support Windows 11.
The machine is mainly used for gaming, and I want to upgrade gradually to reach a stronger system capable of handling games with higher demands.
My current specifications are:
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti
CPU: Intel I7 4790k 4GHz
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G XC
I would appreciate any advice on where to start, recommendations for parts that should be replaced, or guidance on how to decide what upgrades are necessary.
This is really confusing—I’m at a bit of a loss and would value your input.
Your current PC reaches its maximum update limit. Any significant improvements will require a new motherboard, processor, or memory. Windows 11 is restricted to 8th generation Intel CPUs or newer, while your motherboard only supports 3rd and 4th generation processors.
Can you find out what you're buying when everything is packaged together? For instance, do you choose a motherboard that fits your needs right away and then search for matching parts?
There's not much point in buying 1 or 2 parts and letting them sit on a shelf unused for weeks or months while you research other parts.
Decide on an absolute max budget and where you might buy from (Amazon, Newegg, Microcenter, wherever).
The 2 prime parts to consider first would be the motherboard and CPU. Which means you have to decide on AMD or Intel. Either will work, so I wouldn't get wound up about that choice.
Which motherboard depends on the features that you MUST have and features that you'd LIKE to have.....and of course budget. Maybe you place a lot of emphasis on looks. Maybe not.
Primary and secondary purposes of the PC are important. Give us as much detail on that as possible.
You have to balance where you spend the money. A 400 dollar motherboard and a 100 dollar CPU is probably a bad idea.
Any problem with spending 1000? I'm just trying to find out where you would balk.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*
Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
(£98.99 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler:
*
Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
(£20.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard:
*
MSI PRO B760-P DDR4 II ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
(£114.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory:
*
Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
(£52.99 @ Amazon UK)
Overall cost: £286.97
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria
Created by PCPartPicker
2025-01-07 13:25 GMT+0000
1000 is okay as long as the cost makes sense. I don't want to waste 1000 and end up having the same discussion six months later. I'd also think about spending 2k on parts that would last longer, which would save money in the long run, while I'm comfortable spending more on individual parts if I can justify a few hundred each month.