PC (Motherboard, Memory and Chipset) Upgrade Suggestions

rhabdoviridae on 08/07/2023 - 19:24
Last edited 08/07/2023 - 20:14 by 1 other user

Nearing 10 year old rig.
Used 16GB DDR-3 RAM, Intel chip (i7-4770K) and an AS Rock H87 Fatality motherboard. Fractal Design R4 case.

Currently, it doesn't stay powered on on (switches on then switches off) , so guessing something of the above is dead.

Upgraded the PSU to a Corsair RM650x a few years ago when the original PSU died. Hoping this hasn't died again…

Budget of upto $500-$550.

Leaning towards:
1. 5600G Ryzen 5. I've been an Intel fan boy up until now, so hoping this is an OK choice?
2. AS Rock 5700x Motherboard
3. Corsair 32GB DDR-4 RAM

My original GPU (R9-270x) died a year ago. I never replaced it as prices were well over my budget. I don't think I can still afford a dedicated graphics card hence the 5600G. Nowadays I am a light gamer if that, so im happy to wait to upgrade to a dedicated one in 6-12+ months.

Welcome others thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks.

• 

  Malik Nasser on 08/07/2023 - 21:37

  If your use case is relatively light (web browsing, etc…), you can try to troubleshoot your system to get it going.
  First I would try to clear the CMOS (see your user manual or download a copy here: https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Fatal1ty%20H87%20Performance…)
  If that doesn't work then I would try the RAM. Remove all sticks of RAM, then try 1 stick at a time, going through all DIMM slots (maybe a bad RAM stick, or possibly a bad DIMM slot) - process of elimination
  After that I would try to remove all unnecessary components. You only need the CPU and 1 RAM stick installed to see if the computer stays on (doesn't boot loop). Remove all connections to SSD/HDD, keyboard, mouse, display, etc…
  If the computer does stay on (doesn't boot loop), then you can attach a monitor and keyboard to allow you to enter BIOS. After that just start attaching 1 item at a time until you find the trouble part (if any).
  If none of that works, then yeah you will need a new system.
  CPU: the 5600G is fine
  Motherboard: The X570 (not 5700x) is a more expensive chipset, a B550 would be better value for money (or A520)
  RAM: 16GB DDR4 would be fine for light use
  Alternatively you can look into a used system on Facebook, eBay, etc… (just do some research on the parts being offered)

• 

  Gregmond on 08/07/2023 - 22:01

  1. The 5600G is a good cpu w/video for it's price.
  2. 5700x is normally a cpu or gpu designation, have not seen a system board called a 5700x. X570 I have. Most of the AM4 boards are OK, just make sure it has enough SATA/M.2 slots for what you want and wifi if you need it.
  3. 32GB of 3200Mhz or faster ram would be good.

  Based on the age of everything else, what storage are you using? I am guessing either a hdd or at best a sata ssd. I would suggest you buy something like Crucial P3 M.2 NVMe 1TB SSD which are about $70 from places like PC Case gear and it will make a huge difference to the PC.

  Something like this: https://www.pccasegear.com/wish_lists/1313680 this is basic but will do the job.
  Get a win key from HRK or CDKeys or similar for less than $20 and you will have a pretty decent basic PC assuming you PSU is still going.

• 

  GordonD on 09/07/2023 - 10:17

  +2

  Sorry, OP, I think you're making a decision you'll regret in a year or two by going for a system that is already pretty close to obsolete. When you can afford to upgrade it, you'll be trying to upgrade something that is already obsolete, and the results will be disappointing. And you'll be stuck with a disappointing obsolete system for a long time.

  You really need to consider the lowest spec current generation system you can get away with, so that when you can afford to put a few more bucks into upgrading it it will be a decent system.

  You can get a B650 chipset motherboard for $199 at MWave. You can get a Ryzen 5 7600 for $339 at Centre.com. Its got a iGPU in it that'll do at least light gaming until you can afford a better GPU. The GPU in the 5600G will only do light gaming anyway. And for $58 you can get 16GB of 4800 MHz DDR5 RAM at PCByte. So for $596, only $46 over your budget, you get a current generation system that will be a very decent system when you can afford a GPU and some more RAM. You could even get a $22 WD SN810 256GB 6000 MB/s gen4 M.2 SSD on ebay to put in it as a boot drive.

  • 

    GordonD on 09/07/2023 - 13:13

    +1

    I see that that Gigabyte B650 motherboard is also available at the same price from a number of other well known PC parts suppliers if you prefer. Four RAM slots for future upgrades. Two gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD slots. 2.5 Gb LAN. DP and HDMI.

    There are cheaper A620 boards, down to $139, which would bring the total in below the OP's budget, but they limit future upgrading by having only 2x RAM slots and 1x M.2 slot.

• 

  rhabdoviridae on 09/07/2023 - 13:37

  +1

  Thank you everyone for your terrific suggestions.
  @Malik Nasser Thanks for getting me to move my lazy butt to doing some diagnostics. First thing i did was to check if the PSU was functioning. Disappointed that this again appears to be a problem. Fan won't even spin. Will try and get this covered under Corsair's warranty scheme.
  @Gregmond Sorry about the 5700 typo. Storage currently are SSD's and HDD. Bought a Samsung Evo 1TB SSD a year + ago and the others are nearly 10 year old HHD and SSD.
  @GordonD Agreed that i should wait to upgrade but just wanting to having a functional PC that i can switch on. Don't even know how much i might game, 6-12 months is just a guess for me. I said 6-12 months last year too, it'll be 2 years before i know it and i wouldn't have an external graphics card, so maybe i can live without one for longer? Light gaming is probably where i am at. I normally game a few years behind recent titles.

  Still floating on upgrading the rest of the system but if it's just the PSU that needs replacing, hoping this can be done via warranty and no out of pocket costs.