Board 8 > Need help looking for upgrade parts for my PC

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Q8ktdm

That's my current build.

I need to upgrade some parts for a couple of reasons. My motherboard is old as shit. My GF got my some new RAM for Christmas and I can't use it because I don't have a compatible motherboard. She got me a Corsair Vengeance LPX 2x8GB/ 16GB (3000). I love my CPU as well(for the past 8 years), it's served me well, but that might need to be upgraded as well.

What I am looking for;
-Something budget friendly (doesn't need to be cheap though)
-Motherboard that is compatible with what I currently have, including the new RAM.
-Potentially a new CPU
-Also since I live in Phoenix now, any recommendations fora cooling system would be appreciated.

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I'm not really plugged-in to Intel offerings nowadays, so these are more-recent AMD-centric recommendations. I targeted a build around like mid/low-range - this is potentially overkill depending on what you're doing.

MOBO: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (note that the B550 chipset mobos will start to drop a month from now, which will allow upgrades to Ryzen 4000-series CPUs in the future, which are expected later this year)

CPU: Ryzen 3 3100 (potentially Ryzen 3 3600 depending on your budget). This would be a fairly substantial upgrade for your system.

CPU Cooler: Not very well educated in coolers. Scythe Fuma seems really well-liked if you can find it. Otherwise Noctua U14S maybe.

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tyder21 posted...

CPU: Ryzen 3 3100 (potentially Ryzen 3 3600 depending on your budget). This would be a fairly substantial upgrade for your system.

Good to know.

As far as my budget. As long as it's not stupidly priced(in who ever's opinion) I'm fine. I'm buying most of this stuff one(maybe two) with a couple weeks spaced in between. No real urgency here, but my build is starting to show signs of being slow. Only thing I've upgraded on this build in the past 8-9 years is my GPU. Which I upgraded in 15 for the Witcher 3.

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A new SSD would be super nice too.

How does the process go for transferring everything over to a new one though?

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You already rocking an SSD for at least the OS? That's an upgrade I often recommend for consideration for a much speedier-feeling computer. (EDIT: Ninja'd)

Oh and correction to my previous post to prevent confusion, the 3600 is Ryzen 5, not Ryzen 3.

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tyder21 posted...

You already rocking an SSD for at least the OS?

Yeah. It's only 120GB so the OS take up the majority of the space, which is why I would be looking to upgrade to something more sizeable.

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Can't go wrong with a Crucial MX500 (your call on the capacity). You can either get it in an M.2 form factor or a 2.5" form factor. M.2 is nice because it plugs directly into the mobo with no wires.

The mobo I mentioned above does have a M.2 slot, but if you go in another direction with mobo/CPU, just check if your new mobo takes M.2 before purchasing anything. 2.5" will work no matter which direction you go.

Can't speak to transferring the OS to the new drive. I always fresh-install when I get a new main drive.

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Oh duh. I have my product key still.

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Don't you need a new windows key if you change out the motherboard?

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shane15 posted...

Don't you need a new windows key if you change out the motherboard?

As long as you link your W10 key to a Microsoft account, you can just type in your credentials on your new computer and transfer the key over.

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Xiahou Shake posted...

As long as you link your W10 key to a Microsoft account, you can just type in your credentials on your new computer and transfer the key over.

Damn thanks for the info!

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This is what I'm looking at currently: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wjYvFG

Any other potential recs here? The motherboard recommended is sold out everywhere apparently.

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AMD CPU's are meant to come with a decent CPU cooler so you could save some cash there

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Oh that's good to know. How decent though? My current CPU runs like a jet engine in summer.

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I didn't look too much into it myself but they are meant to be miles better than the intel ones. Plus if you're not gonna be overclocking it or anything then you may as well just use a stock one for now.

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I suppose that is true. It is the thing I least need, and I've been running my current build without a cooler...ever since I initially built it, I could also spend that additional 80 somewhere else.

Worst case when It's 120F here in July I can get one then.

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