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Upgrading a 10 year old PC for modern games

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  • 27-08-2023 5:16pm
    #1
    Eoin247
    Registered Users Posts: 826 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    Around 10 years ago I got great advice from this forum and built my first (and only) PC (see link below). I haven't used it for gaming in a long time, but the release of Starfield has finally given me the incentive to go for an upgrade.

    However, since the PC is so old, and I've completely forgot everything I know about PC building, I have no idea what I need to upgrade or what I should upgrade to. Obviously GPU, RAM and CPU need to be upgraded. But is the motherboard and PSU ok for the new hardware I'd need to run something like Starfield on high settings?

    I think I'd be willing to spend around 2k. But this is fairly flexible.

    Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057069620/700-800-build-also-seeking-advice




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    #2
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,369 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    First off, check the minimum requirements for the game(s) or other functions you want. CPU, RAM and operating system are likely to be the first obstacles.

    An 10 year old machine is likely to have several parts near the end of their lives and not be able to deal with Windows 11, which means that you might be investing a fair bit of money, for a machine that might not last very long.

    A newish machine might be the solution. Refurbished, ex-corporate machines might be a cheap option, with suitable upgrades.



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    #3
    Eoin247
    Registered Users Posts: 826 ✭✭✭Eoin247


    Thanks for the reply! I did a bit of research afterwards and I'm thinking of taking the lazy route of getting pcspecialists.ie to build a new one altogether for me.


    The below spec seems quite nice, but not sure how well it would run something like Starfield on 4k 60 fps. Or i'm going with the best options at this price point for the hardware. Wouldn't mind spending a bit extra if it was worthwhile.


    If anyone has any thoughts on the below it would be much appreciated!


    PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/kmswVW


    CPU: Intel Core i5-13500 2.5 GHz 14-Core Processor ($247.97 @ Newegg) 

    CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK400 66.47 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Amazon) 

    Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z790-P WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($215.99 @ Amazon) 

    Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon) 

    Storage: Solidigm P41 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($44.40 @ Amazon) 

    Video Card: Zotac GAMING Twin Edge OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

    Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case ($139.99 @ B&H) 

    Power Supply: Corsair CX650M (2021) 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Best Buy) 

    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($117.98 @ Other World Computing) 

    Total: $1304.29

    Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

    Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-08-27 13:35 EDT-0400



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    #4
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users Posts: 18,706 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121035102#Comment_121035102

    That build is likely only good for 1080p. RTX 4060 is about equal to 2080 which is their recommended spec - you will want better for 4K.

    What I would do is wait until the AMD RX 7800 XT reviews release in around 1-2 weeks, then choose between that, RX 6800 XT or Nvidia RTX 4070 series.


    As for rest of build, the following would be a great base:

    PCPartPicker Part List: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/yWx7h3


    CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor (€416.08 @ Caseking)

    CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X Refined SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (€30.08 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M DS3H Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard (€175.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (€111.53 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Storage: Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (€89.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Case: Jonsbo D41 Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case (€72.89 @ Caseking)

    Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€104.90 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Total: €1001.28

    Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

    Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-08-27 19:53 CEST+0200

    (just buy a cheap Windows 11 license key online)

    You could drop the CPU down another 100 to Ryzen 7 7700 but I don't see the point.



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    #5
    jkljkljkl
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭jkljkljkl


    Edit



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    #6
    jkljkljkl
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭jkljkljkl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121034679#Comment_121034679

    Where can you get a refurbished ex corporate machine? Thank you



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    #7
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,369 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Off e-Bay and the likes. But do note that a corporate-orientated machine might not suit graphics-intensive gaming, so changes might be needed.



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    #8
    Homelander
    Registered Users Posts: 4,400 ✭✭✭Homelander


    Forget about ex corporate machines with a 2K budget. Makes no sense at all.

    Self build €2k is a super budget and could easily afford something like 5800X3D and AMD RX7900. Should be good for Starfield at 4k excellent settings.

    Pre-built it's worth shopping around, value not as good but some aren't all that bad.

    There is nothing worth keeping from a 10 year old PC. It's beyond obsolete.



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