I'm considering whether it's worth upgrading my old custom-built PC or if I should just buy a new one. My sister helped me put it together a while ago, and I've realized that the processor definitely needs updating. This would also require a new motherboard for compatibility. I'm unsure if I need to upgrade other components as well. Here are my current specs:
- **Processor**: Intel Core i5-7400 @ 3.00GHz
- **RAM**: 8GB
- **Storage**: 112GB SSD & 932GB HDD
- **Graphics Card**: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- **System Type**: 64-bit operating system
Would love any advice on what's the best route to take!
5 Answers
Upgrading could be a therapy session in hardware decisions... or maybe just a headache. But yeah, think about the long-term benefits of a new PC instead of band-aiding the old one.
Honestly, I'd just go for a whole new build. If you're looking to play modern games, sticking with anything lower than an 11th Gen Intel processor isn't really worth it. The AMD Ryzen 5000 series could also be a solid choice if you want something powerful.
If you're considering upgrading, one option is to slap in an i7-7700k. It has only 4 cores but is hyperthreaded, allowing for solid speed at 4.2GHz. However, this is just a temporary fix till you can afford a new system.
There's not much you can salvage from your current setup. Your GTX 1060 might still handle 1080p gaming at lower settings, but your RAM could be DDR3 or DDR4, and either way, 8GB is pretty minimal now. Your SSD is also fairly small and your HDD is slow for modern games. Overall, I think you'll be better off with a new build, and if your budget is tight, you could keep the GPU for now.
One big perk of a new build is the ease of selling your old system. Once a PC gets as old as yours, it's tough to sell individual parts. Sure, you can upgrade piece by piece, but if you do that, you’ll mainly be reusing the drives and maybe the PSU. Your 1060 can be used in the meantime, but don't count on the hard drives being your main components.
Exactly what I was thinking! I just want to make sure it’s worth it in the long run.