I'm looking to upgrade my midrange gaming PC from 2016 to ensure it's compatible with Windows 11, primarily for my parents' everyday use. My main concern is making sure that all the new parts will fit together well, especially in terms of space inside the existing case, like CPU cooler height and RAM clearance. Here are the specs of my current setup:
- Intel i5-6600
- GTX 960 2GB graphics card
- 2x4GB DDR4 RAM at 2133 MHz
- Corsair VS550 power supply
- A 500GB SATA SSD
- Fractal Design Core 2500 case (supporting ATX, miniATX, and microATX)
For my upgrade, I'm considering buying the following components for a total of 160 euros:
- Ryzen 5 4500 CPU
- Asrock B450M-HDV R4.0 motherboard (may need a BIOS update)
- Seasonic Core GC-500 power supply (although I think the Corsair should work, I'm just unsure about its longevity)
I also have some footage of the inside of the case if that helps: https://streamable.com/tdsbra.
2 Answers
Great choice with the Ryzen! Just remember that the Asrock B450M-HDV might need a BIOS update to run the new CPU. As for the PSU, if you’re replacing it, the Seasonic is a solid pick. You should be good to go with your planned upgrades!
As long as your case supports ATX, everything should fit fine! Just pay attention to the cooler height when you install the new CPU. Also, it seems your RAM clearance is pretty tight, so it's smart to check how tall the Ryzen stock cooler is against your RAM sticks.
Totally agree! It's always good to double-check. If you’re worried about the clearance, you might want to consider getting a lower profile cooler.
Yep, and if you’re not comfortable doing the BIOS update yourself, you can often ask your local PC shop to do it for a small fee.