Hey everyone! I bought a pre-built PC back in 2017, and here are its specs:
- GTX 1080 Ti 11GB
- Intel i7 7700K (4.2GHz - 4.5GHz)
- ASUS Strix ROG Z270E (SLi, AURA, WiFi)
- 16GB RAM
- 250GB M.2 Samsung 960 EVO (3200 MBps) plus a 1000GB HDD (7200rpm, 6GB/s)
- Asetek 570LX water cooling (2x120mm)
I've also added a 1TB Samsung 980 SSD (PCIe 3.0, M.2 2280). I've been happy with this setup, but my CPU is starting to struggle and it's preventing me from upgrading to Windows 11.
I think it's time to consider some upgrades but I'm unsure about what parts I can reuse and what needs to be replaced. If I change the CPU, should I also upgrade the motherboard and GPU? Should I just build a new PC entirely, or is there anything salvageable? Also, how complicated would it be to save any components?
I'm looking to spend around $1500 on upgrades.
3 Answers
You can probably reuse your GPU and storage. Just a heads up, replacing the PSU can be tricky if you’re moving to newer GPUs, so that might be something to consider getting a new one for. Your case and HDD can stay as they are.
Before diving in, what games do you usually play? Knowing that can help determine if you really need a full upgrade. Also, could you share what case you're using? Lastly, your 1TB SSD—was it a SATA model or an M.2? If it's M.2, what interface does it use? A picture of your setup could also help!
I mostly enjoy strategy games like Age of Wonders 4 and Civilization 6, plus some co-op games like Helldivers 2. I really want to play Monster Hunter World but can't currently. I'll check my case and get back to you!
If you're looking at Windows 11, there’s a way to bypass the CPU requirements—definitely worth googling! As for what to keep: your case and PSU are reusable unless you're switching to a higher wattage GPU. You can keep your M.2 and HDD, but consider adding a second M.2 for games if the current SSD isn't sufficient. If you want to stick with your old setup, upgrading to 32GB of RAM and getting a 2080 Ti or a 3090 could also be a solid plan.
Appreciate it! I'll check out the bypass method. I’m okay spending up to $1500, but I want to avoid unnecessary waste.
Thanks for the tips!