Upgrade Your 10-Year-Old Gaming PC? Here’s how to improve it.
Upgrade Your 10-Year-Old Gaming PC? Here’s how to improve it.
Hello,
Here’s the information about the gaming PC I assembled using guidance from the Tom’s Hardware forum in Spring 2015. After a decade, I’m planning to repurpose the case, DVD drive, storage, and further enhance the remaining components.
Current specifications:
- Case: Fractal Design Define R5 with 3x Fractal Design Dynamic GP-14 fan @ 1000 RPM (2 intake, 1 exhaust)
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 (rev. 1.0)
- CPU: Intel CORE i5 4690K 3.5GHz
- Cooler: Cooler Master 212 Hyper Evo
- RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical LP 16GB (2X8) [DDR3L 1600MHz 8-8-8-24 1.35V]
- GPU: ASUS Strix 97O GTX 4GB DirectCU II
- SSD: Crucial MX500 1TB [replaced 256GB MX100]
- HDD: Segate Barracuda 2TB
- Power Supply: Antec Edge 650W 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular
- Media: ASUS DRW-24F1ST
- Approximate purchase date: within the next month, unless advised otherwise.
- Budget estimate: around €1850, with some flexibility if needed.
Usage priority from highest to lowest:
gaming, web browsing, music listening.
Monitor information:
I’m using an ASUS VG248QE since 2015. I’m open to suggestions for newer models that would complement this build. It might not be essential to include in the upgrade.
Upgrade items:
- CPU cooler
- CPU
- Motherboard
- RAM
- GPU
- PSU
Consider adding a Gen4 NVME drive as a new boot device.
No OS required.
Please note: If you’re using an OEM Windows license, you’ll need a replacement motherboard license.
Preferred purchasing sites:
EU-based retailers shipping to Ireland. The German store I previously used is no longer available; I’ve checked Amazon.de and Caseking.de. Other options are welcome.
Location: Ireland
Parts preferences:
AMD components.
Overclocking not required.
Single GPU configuration.
PSU upgrade included.
Media source:
ASUS DRW-24F1ST
Additional notes:
I prefer a quiet, cool operation and don’t mind the lack of RGB lighting since the case features metal side panels.
Most importantly, why are you upgrading?
I’m moving to Windows 11 and experiencing some PC instability, so I want to play the latest games.
Parts already selected:
[https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/yccvYd](https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/yccvYd)
(Other links available on Caseking.DE and Amazon.DE.)
Please review the list and let me know if you see better alternatives with improved pricing or features.
Just a reminder, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is priced at €100 more than the 7600X3D on Caseking.de.
Regarding the case, PCPartPicker highlights compatibility issues around graphics card length and drive bay space—previously I cleared out the lower part of the drive bay to free up room and improve airflow.
You might consider excluding the non-X3D components to reduce costs.
I adjusted your listing to exclude the X3D elements, as the E.X.P.O. advertisement is present and a cheaper cooler is available for the processor.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
(€204.72 @ Amazon Deutschland)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 EVO 68.9 CFM CPU Cooler
(€34.89 @ Caseking)
Motherboard:
*Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard
(€226.59 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory:
G.Skill Ripjaws M5 Neo RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory
(€102.74 @ Proshop)
Storage:
*Crucial T500 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
(€86.97 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Video Card:
Asus TUF GAMING OC Radeon RX 9070 16 GB Video Card
(€780.89 @ Caseking)
Case:
Fractal Design Define R5 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply:
*Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(€109.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Overall Cost:
€1546.70
All prices include shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria*
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2025-04-18 23:25 CEST+0200
Check this out;
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awz_CG2320E
relevant to the CPU.
I see you have the solid side paneled Define R5, so if you're aiming for a blackout style build, you could further cut expenses on the cooler and RAM, saving a few euros.
Compare prices here. Computer Universe and Alza also deliver to Ireland (and possibly ProShop).
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*AMD Ryzen 5 7500F 3.7 GHz 6-Core OEM/Tray Processor
(€150.63 @ notebooksbilliger.de)
CPU Cooler:
*ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler
(€37.89 @ Proshop)
Motherboard:
*MSI PRO B850-P WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
(€186.90 @ Alza)
Memory:
*Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
(€93.89 @ Galaxus)
Storage:
*Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
(€104.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)*
Video Card:
*Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card
(€788.91 @ Caseking)*
Power Supply:
*Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(€109.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)*
Total: €1473.11
Prices cover shipping, taxes, and discounts where applicable
*Selected lowest-priced parts based on criteria*
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2025-04-18 23:50 CEST+0200
Optional CPU:
https://geizhals.eu/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d-...72867.html
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D €374,89
https://www.currys.ie/products/aoc-q27g4...62606.html
AOC Q27G4X Quad HD 27" 180Hz IPS LCD Gaming Monitor €229.00
A closer inspection of these items.
https://aoc.com/us/gaming/products/monitors/q27g4x
https://www.techspot.com/review/2728-ryz...re-13400f/
https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry...00f-review
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/amd-r...3d/20.html
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B850-P-WIFI
ID-Cooling FROZN A620 PRO SE Review – Superior Value Over Thermalright
ID-Cooling stands out among rivals with its FROZN A620 PRO SE. Skipping ARGB lighting and flashy details, it delivers a blend of speed and affordability that feels almost unbeatable. Under $30 it even surpasses Thermalright in value for money.
www.techpowerup.com
PCPartPicker Parts List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D 4.1 GHz 6-Core Processor (€323.99 @ Caseking)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM (€39.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX AM5 (€191.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 (€103.47 @ Proshop)
Storage: Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (€116.38 @ Senetic)
Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB (€788.91 @ Caseking)
Power Supply: NZXT C850 (2024) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX (€131.89 @ Computeruniverse)
Total: €1696.44
Prices cover shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Created by PCPartPicker
2025-04-19 03:45 CEST+0200
Thank everyone for your responses and the creative options you've provided. For the CPU, I initially considered the Ryzen 7 9700x but ultimately selected the 7600X3d because it offered better gaming performance despite having fewer cores for multitasking.
Reflecting on my current setup, which mainly involves gaming, web browsing, and music playback, I didn’t need to juggle many tasks.
@Lutfij
You recommended the 7600X3d for budget reasons, but the Gamers Nexus video highlighted its strong power efficiency and slightly better gaming stats compared to the 7800X3d, which is over €100 more expensive.
@Why_Me
The Ryzen 5 7500F could be a smart choice for saving money—it’s half the price of the 7600X3d—but I’d prefer a CPU that includes a built-in GPU just in case. The ID-Cooling CPU cooler also appealed to me, though I noticed from various sites that it doesn’t ship to Ireland.
🙁
Also, the ID-Cooling cooler looked appealing, but when I checked Proshop and Amazon DE, they didn’t offer delivery to Ireland.
However, I appreciate your advice on the motherboard and RAM. The MSI Pro B850-P seems reasonable at a lower cost, though it has older audio and fewer USB ports. I’d prefer an external DAC/AMP for sound and currently use only 4 USB ports on my current PC.
I believe adding another NVME drive would require a heatsink cover since the motherboard only provides them for the main drive slot.
@LOGAN54321
I found the PSU recommendation interesting, even though it’s more expensive than my choice. It’s newer [ATX3.1] and has good reviews. From the PC Builder YouTube channel, I discovered a PSU with an A+ rating on the SPL’s list.
Concerning the GPU, the Sapphire Pulse Radeon 9070 XT was mentioned twice—it matches the price of the Asus model I originally picked, but it’s an XT variant. I think it would give more flexibility for graphics performance in the future, especially at higher TDP levels.
I adjusted my build to align with your suggestions:
https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/b3pCKq