You require an upgrade – storage is almost depleted.
You require an upgrade – storage is almost depleted.
The software I’m using comes from 2018. This was my second attempt. The original version was from 2010. The machine is consistently losing storage space and I’m planning an upgrade. Considering it’s already seven years old, I think starting fresh might be necessary.
Current hardware includes:
- Intel Core i5 8600K CPU
- G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) 288-pin DDR4
- Crucial MX500 1TB SATA 2.5" SSD
- BPX 80mm (2280) M.2 PCI Express 3.0 x4 NVMe MLC SSD (240GB)
- MSI ATX Z370 Pro motherboard
- Noctua cooler
- Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Mini Video Card
- Power supply status uncertain
- Acer H233H monitor
- Original case from 2010 requires replacement
Approximate purchase timing:
e.g., within a month
Budget range:
$1000-$1500
Usage priority from highest to lowest:
photo editing (Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022), Microsoft Office, web browsing, occasionally video editing (Adobe Premiere Elements 2022)
Monitor inquiry:
Likely the one I own is over ten years old.
Upgrade suggestions:
Everything seems necessary? Are there alternatives to replacing HDDs?
OS purchase:
Unlikely, but uncertain.
Please note:
If you’re using an OEM Windows license, a new motherboard will be required.
Preferred shopping sites:
Amazon, B&H, Newegg
Location:
Herndon, VA
Preferences:
- Only Intel CPUs, open to switching to AMD
- No overclocking
- No multiple GPUs
- Desired monitor resolution: probably 4K
Thank you for your assistance.
This is the complete storage setup you have? You might consider upgrading to larger-capacity 2.5" SSDs or even 3.5" HDDs. I mentioned this because your build doesn’t specify the type of HDDs you’re using. If that’s the case, swapping them out for higher-capacity drives would be a good move. For your PSU, if it’s not performing well, replacing it could help too.
Noctua cooling solution
Noctua offers a range of coolers in their collection, both new and used. Which one do you prefer? Recycling an old cooler can save you money on additional components.
The case I’m using is from my original build in 2010 and needs replacement.
It would be helpful if you could provide images so we can confirm the type and assess whether recycling or salvaging makes sense, unless you’re planning a new build. Keep in mind that today’s builds favor M.2 drives and 2.5" drives, with only a few slots available for 3.5" drives (at most two).
Give it a try!
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor
($183.00 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Burst Assassin 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
($18.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
Gigabyte B850M EAGLE WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard
($149.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory:
Crucial Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL38 Memory
($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Crucial P3 Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($60.00 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($119.95 @ iBUYPOWER)
Video Card:
XFX Swift OC Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card
($379.99 @ Amazon)
Case:
Montech X5M MicroATX Mini Tower Case
($54.90 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:
Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($89.90 @ Newegg)
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - Download 64-bit
($129.99 @ B&H)
Monitor:
Sceptre E275B-QPT168 27.0" 2560 x 1440 165 Hz Monitor
($149.97 @ Amazon)
Total:
$1425.57
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2025-09-03 22:52 EDT-0400
PCPartPicker List of Components CPU: * Intel Core Ultra 7 265K 3.9 GHz 20-Core Processor ($259.00 @ Amazon) CPU Cooler: * Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon) Motherboard: * Gigabyte Z890 EAGLE WIFI7 ATX LGA1851 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon) Memory: * G.Skill Ripjaws S5 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6400 CL36 Memory ($129.99 @ Amazon) Storage: * MSI SPATIUM M480 PRO 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD ($119.99 @ MSI) Video Card: * Zotac GAMING Twin Edge GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg) Case: * Antec P20C ATX Mid Tower Case ($77.99 @ Newegg) Power Supply: * Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.90 @ Newegg) Case Fan: * ARCTIC P12 Pro 77 CFM 120 mm Fan ($8.49 @ Amazon) Overall Cost: $1141.24 Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts *Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria* Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-09-03 23:55 EDT-0400
There is no need for a video card since the current one should suffice in the near future. It makes little sense to install a monitor without understanding your preferences; you might find something better than what I suggest. The operating system will vary depending on whether you qualify for an upgrade or decide to purchase it directly.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K 3.9 GHz 20-Core Processor
($259.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($44.39 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1851 Motherboard
($245.80 @ Amazon)
Memory:
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory
($159.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:
Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
($269.99 @ Amazon)
Case:
Aerocool D501A V2 ATX Mid Tower Case
($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply:
Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($89.90 @ Newegg)
Overall Cost:
$1144.05
Shipping, taxes, and available discounts are included in the price
Created by
PCPartPicker
2025-09-04 00:37 EDT-0400
Order a big storage device.
Don’t upgrade your whole system just because space is almost gone.
Consider the WD Ultrastar lineup.
PCPartPicker Part List
Storage:
Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC520 12 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive
($195.00 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 16 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive
($310.49 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC560 22 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive
($485.99 @ Amazon)
Beyond the storage space concern, what other issues are you experiencing? What aspects could it perform better in? Is it simply that you could afford a complete overhaul and replace most parts because seven years might be risky? How long has the machine been operating—weeks or months?
Thank you for your response. The Noctua cooler I have is NH-U12S. It's the 240GB SSD that's running out of space, my C drive. Would it make sense just to replace that for now until something really breaks?
Appreciate your response.
I have several external HDDs. What's running out of space is the 240GB SSD that contains the OS. Maybe I just need to replace that and keep going with what I have. until something breaks.
Check if the optimize app is active for the m.2. Perform a disk cleanup operation on the m.2 and ensure you click the system files button.