Prebuilt Dell XPS8500 upgrade for gaming/rendering
Prebuilt Dell XPS8500 upgrade for gaming/rendering
Approximate Purchase Date:
The earlier the better
Budget Range:
maximum $1000 CDN total final amount
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
gaming, animating, video/sound editing, watching movies, spreadsheets, browsing the internet
Are you purchasing a monitor:
No
Parts to Upgrade:
Graphics card Radeon HD 7550 to a significantly newer model and at least a case upgrade because it’s quite compact, likely using a 460w power supply, and possibly including a fan and a 686 AMI BIOS motherboard. The components I’ll retain are: Intel i7.3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 4 cores, 16GB RAM unless more would enhance the setup, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD
Do you need to purchase an operating system:
Only if a new motherboard is required, which I’m not certain about
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
canadacomputers.ca, Bestbuy.ca, newegg.ca, and other trusted Canadian retailers
Location:
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Parts Preferences:
no preference
Overclocking:
possibly
SLI or Crossfire:
I’m not sure what that means
Your Monitor:
1920x1080 resolution, but I could upgrade to 4k later
Additional Comments:
I’d prefer a quieter computer overall, but my main goal is to ensure smooth operation of the programs I need: Excel, Word, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, TvPaint, Firefox, Steam, Origin. Games include Sims 4 with many mods, Final Fantasy, Life is Strange 2, Slime Rancher, Dragonball Kakarot, Demon Slayer
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:
I’m experiencing significant trouble running Sims 4 and newer titles like Life is Strange 2. The rendering during animation or editing feels extremely slow. This machine is powerful enough that it’s already been upgraded twice; I need a third upgrade to extend its lifespan.
That i7 model came out around 2012-2013. So don’t go after that one. My wife has a Dell OptiPlex in her office that I plan to replace this year because Windows 10 support is stopping. I just need a case and a new power supply.
Still, it’s a waste of money to buy something like that. Around $50 would be better, but even then…
Sure, it’s better to improve parts of the system instead of replacing everything. Of course, eventually it might all become new components, but I struggle with change. Would swapping out the i7 really help prolong its lifespan as I’d like?
Are there any components I currently possess that would be valuable enough to relocate to the upgraded system?
The SSD might be the issue if the front panel and fan connectors aren't exclusive.
SSD or hard drive for mass storage? I’d likely begin with an AMD socket AM5 and possibly a Ryzen 5 7600x first, aiming for a budget board like the B650 and a cooler like the Thermalright Peerless Assassin. For graphics, I’d look into the RX 7700xt or 7800xt. Since I’m in the USA, prices might be a bit higher there.
It seems like you're considering whether keeping the motherboard would affect your hardware recommendations. Let's explore that further.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*
Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
($149.00 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler:
*
ID-COOLING SE-903-XT 45.8 CFM CPU Cooler
($20.00 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard:
*
ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($126.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory:
*
Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
($64.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card:
*
MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card
($389.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Case:
*
Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
($78.12 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply:
*
MSI MAG A650BN 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
($69.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $898.82
Prices encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts