Hey everyone! I'm working with an older company PC that has some solid parts but also some not-so-great components. It's got an Intel i9-10900 processor running at 3.6GHz, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SSD—which is pretty good! However, the motherboard and video card are outdated, and it's powered by a 300W PSU. This was initially a test machine for CPU-heavy tasks.
Here's my plan: I want to take the RAM, CPU, and SSD out of this old build and transfer them into a new setup. I'm thinking of adding a 5070 Ti or maybe a 9070 XT along with a reliable PSU and motherboard. I realize that when I want to upgrade later, it'll mean upgrading the CPU, RAM, and motherboard altogether, but I'm trying to make the most out of what I have.
So, what would be a good motherboard option for this setup? I know I'm limited to DDR4 RAM and the LGA 1200 socket. I was considering the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus since it's an older but decent model. Is there something better I should check out? What do you think of my overall plan? Any tips for a beginner like me in PC building?
2 Answers
Before making any changes, check if this is a prebuilt system with proprietary connections. If it is, you might want to stick with your current motherboard and just upgrade the GPU and PSU instead. There's often no need to swap the motherboard unless it’s absolutely necessary. That way, you can see how your new GPU performs first.
I took a look, and if you're working with an HP EliteDesk 800 G6 SFF motherboard, it can be a bit tricky since it’s a prebuilt system. Until you get a display cable and can test it, it’s hard to judge the performance. That motherboard might limit your upgrade options, so keep that in mind.
Thanks for the info! I’m waiting on the display cable, but I’ve done some digging and confirmed it is indeed the HP EliteDesk motherboard. Hopefully, I can get it tested soon!
Totally agree! The motherboard might not be as bad as you think. You can often get decent performance without a ‘gaming’ branded board. Just focus on that new GPU for now!