Hey everyone! I'm new to building and upgrading PCs and I'm looking to upgrade my current setup. I've never replaced a motherboard, case, or power supply before, so I'm curious about how tough this project would be for someone like me.
Here's what I'm currently working with:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8700
- GPU: GTX 1050 (it's pretty old)
- Motherboard: Gigabyte H310M
- RAM: 16GB DDR4-2400
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- PSU: It's old and not powerful enough for new components.
I'm planning to upgrade to:
- Motherboard: Z390 (with onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
- RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-2666 or similar
- PSU: 650W+ 80+ Bronze/Gold (good quality)
- Case: Mid-tower with good airflow
- Storage: New 1TB NVMe SSD
- GPU: RX 6600 (which I already have)
My main questions are:
1. Is this project doable for a beginner?
2. Are there any particular parts I need to be extra careful with, like the motherboard or PSU?
3. Should I migrate my existing Windows install or just do a fresh install?
4. Am I missing anything or should I change parts in my list?
2 Answers
Actually, I think you should consider replacing the CPU as well instead of just upgrading the motherboard and RAM. An i3-12100 would outperform your i7-8700 easily, and you'd get better support for newer tech like faster RAM and graphics cards. It's worth looking into!
If you stick with your current motherboard, you can upgrade the CPU later on without the need to replace both.
Regarding your plan, going for the Z390 is fine, but note that you can't overclock the i7-8700, so you're mainly paying for extra features like Wi-Fi and better VRMs. If costs are an issue, consider a B365 motherboard with Wi-Fi, which can also work.
For RAM, the DDR4-2666 is the max speed for your CPU. Keeping everything like a 2x8GB setup is a good move, but don't splurge on faster RAM since you won’t really see a difference. The RX 6600 and i7-8700 work well together for gaming at 1080p.
It's definitely best to do a fresh Windows install on your new NVMe SSD—this helps with performance too!
Thanks for the tip! Would this build be difficult for someone who's just starting out?
So just to clarify, if I keep the current motherboard, can I still upgrade the CPU later without having to do a complete overhaul?