Best Mobo/CPU/RAM upgrade for an old PC?

largeruk · 17 Apr 2019 at 20:38

I have a fairly quiet PC setup in my living room. It is now pretty old and I'm looking to upgrade the components while keeping the case.

Case: Antec Sonata Solo Quiet Mini Tower
MB: Abit IX38 QuadGT
CPU: Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz w Noctua cooler
RAM: 2 x 2gb of Corsair XMS2-8500 1066MHz 5-5-5-15 (CM2X2048-8500C5D)
PSU: Antec NeoPower 550
GPU: GeForce GT9600
HDDs: Samsung 840 Evo Pro 512gb SSD + 3 SATA HDDs (various)

I can't afford to upgrade the whole setup in one go, so am looking at upgrading the mobo/CPU/RAM first and the PSU/GPU/HDDs when funds allow.

Ideally I'd prefer a full sized ATX socket 1151 mobo, intel i5 series7 CPU and 16gb DDR4 RAM as a minimum. However, I'm not exactly flush with funds and recognise that compromises will have to be made! I'd happily buy secondhand and am very open to suggestions.

I'd really appreciate whatever advice, ideas and views all you knowledgeable people out there have.

Plec · 17 Apr 2019 at 20:43

largeruk said:
looking at upgrading the mobo/CPU/RAM first and the PSU/GPU/HDDs when funds allow.

If you can - and if it coincides with funds - wait until July, when Ryzen 2 is released.

orbitalwalsh · 17 Apr 2019 at 20:53

Plec said:
If you can - and if it coincides with funds - wait until July, when Ryzen 2 is released.

That are anything currently on the market for £200 all I. Would beat the core stuff hehe

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Intel Core i5-9400F 2.90GHz (Coffee Lake) Socket LGA1151 Processor - Retail= £169.99
1 x Kingston Fury White 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-19200C15 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (HX424C15FW2K2/16)= £64.99
1 x Gigabyte B360 HD3 Intel B360 (Socket 1151) DDR4 ATX Motherboard= £89.99
1 x Alpenfohn Ben Nevis CPU Cooler - 120mm= £21.95

Total: £357.42 (includes shipping: £10.50)

Or opposite air for Ryzen 300 in July but cheaper B550 boards are Q4

EsaT · 17 Apr 2019 at 22:25

largeruk said:
However, I'm not exactly flush with funds and recognise that compromises will have to be made! I'd happily buy secondhand and am very open to suggestions.

While almost everything currently on sale would be better than that old Kentsfield, Zen2 Ryzens likely bring major improvement to bang per buck.
That would be important if you intend to keep same parts for long time.

orbitalwalsh · 18 Apr 2019 at 07:49

Even 1st Gen Ryzen 1200 4 core 4 threads or Althon would be faster for £50 a chip

Could even go Ryzen 2400G with on board iGPU and would be quicker then your current GPU . Kill two birds with one stone, 4 modern cores with 8 threads and can add in a GPU at a much later date