Hey all, I was hoping to get some suggestions regarding my computer. I currently have Windows 10 installed, and I am unable to upgrade to Windows 11 because my computer doesn't support it (unsure why, but I assume it has to do with the CPU).

Over the past month or so, a lot of functions have stopped working properly. For example, clicking the volume button on the toolbar at the bottom of the computer often does nothing, and if I want to change the volume, I have to restart my computer to get it to work again. I'm assuming that switching to Windows 11 would resolve this, but I'm not sure if I should build a new computer from scratch or if I should upgrade some parts in this one.

Here's what I have right now:

CPU: Intel i7-9700K
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
RAM: 16 GB
Motherboard: AsRock B365M Pro4

If I were to build a new computer, I wouldn't want to spend more than $1,200.

I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest option, but the best option. I use my home computer 40+ hours per week for work. If spending more to build a new one would result in better performance and last longer, then I am willing to spend extra to do that. However, if simply replacing a part or two in my current machine would lead to similar results to building new, then obviously I'd rather do that.

If starting from scratch is the better option, any recommendations for parts that I should get?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks y'all!

Quick look at pcpartpicker about the only thing you can do without upgrading the motherboard would be changing out the GPU and potentially adding more RAM.

I assume 2 sticks of 8GB DDR4 RAM? If only 2 sticks, I would recommend adding 2 more, preferably the same brand, if you can find them still.

The GPU I would upgrade to a 3060. Mainly sticking with Nvidia since I have read some people had trouble swapping over to AMD due to driver conflicts. Note this is a vague remembering, so I may be wrong.

If you want to build a new one, though, I made one that is around $1100 after tax. This is assuming you keep using your storage you currently have, case, and power supply.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qpRCFP

The only reason I suggest only upgrading GPU and RAM is because your motherboard only supports 8th and 9th gen Intel CPUs, so to go any higher, you would have to upgrade the motherboard. At that point you might as well upgrade everything.

Also, a cheap fix is just reinstalling Windows 10. Do a fresh install and just backup only important files. Make a list of essential programs to reinstall.


I am still on Windows 10 and have yet to have any issues of sluggishness or forced restarts. (Unless I changed my system time, then that messes up my internet even though it didn't a couple months ago but that is a me problem with certain rpgmaker games...)

pokemon x :

This is great, thank you!

Yes, currently have 2 sticks of 8 GB DDR4 RAM.

I figured the motherboard was going to be an issue, which is part of the reason that I was considering starting from scratch.

The Windows 10 reinstall is a good tip, I'll probably try that before doing anything drastic. If it fixes the issues I'm experiencing, then I'm fine with sticking with my current hardware.

The Intel i7-9700K is maybe the best part of your pc since it has 8c 8t, and boost clock to 4.9 ghz, but it is like 8-9 years old now, if you don't want to spend more than $1.2K, then I'd get a Ryzen maybe, they are cheaper and can be better.

If you want to play more games, I'd get a 3070 Ti with 8 GDDR6X VRAM.

Or if you want a prebuilt, there are some with 5060's and 16 GB DDR5 RAM, and good CPUS on Best Buy from 1.2K. I think the best deal for around $1.2K is the Acer - Nitro 65 Gaming Desktop - AMD Ryzen 7 8700F 2024 - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 - 16GB DDR5 Memory – 1TB Storage - Black,

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F goes up to 5.0 GHZ vs 4.9 GHZ on yours.
For the GPU comparison
1080p: RTX 5060 is 72% faster on average
1440p: RTX 5060 is 24% faster
4K: RTX 5060 is 60% faster

It has 16 GB DDR5 RAM, not sure what type of ram yours is, but 16 GB should be enoough

Also, I saw NVMe PCIe 4.0 storage which is the best you can get.

It is only $74 over your limit, but a really good real, and it looks nice (and Windows 11 Home).

Btw not sure why you can't upgrade to WIndows 11, either you need the key or just a new PC, your specs are good enough.

Dauntez : Looking a little further.

Intels "Platform Trust Technology" and Secureboot both need to be enabled in bios. So that is just a guess on why it says not compatible. That is only requirement I remember being "required".

Now there are ways to bypass said requirement but it all takes a little more effort.

Dauntez : Thanks for the suggestions! I don't really play many PC games, to be honest. I mostly use my computer for work (teaching students via Google Meet) and for editing videos. So I don't need anything too crazy, just good enough for me to work and edit/render videos in an efficient manner.

After thinking about it a bit more, I think I'm probably gonna build a new PC. Kenzie has mentioned before that she wants a desktop computer, so I think I might build a new one for myself, do a fresh reinstall of Windows on my current one, and give my current one to her if that ends up fixing the issues that I'm experiencing.

pokemon x : I added an SSD, case, ande power supply to your build to come up with this: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/HwfDkD

Slightly over budget, but no big deal.

Thanks for your help!

I know prebuilts get a lot of hate, but with the way prices have skyrocketed, they're a much better deal than they used to be.

I recommend looking around to see if they have any good deals, I got a x3d/5070 computer last december at costco for $1400 so...the deals are still out there.

Obviously building your own is more customizable and fun, but quite expensive these days.

tgags123 : Dang that ram is overpriced, I saw some on Walmart for $199 recently, cheapest I could find just now was this

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CORSAIR-Vengeance-RGB-16GB-2-x-8GB-288-Pin-PC-RAM-DDR5-6000-PC5-48000-Custom-Lab-GBT-Wood-Desktop-Memory-Desktop-Memory-Model-CMH16GX5M2E6000Z36WGWL/20289250885?classType=REGULAR&from=/search


The PC I found and sent a yesterday is good if you want a prebuilt, and for less. But that pc part picker pc was good.

tgags123 : Looking at that case you need to buy some fans too. It only comes with 1. Some of the reviews mention 3 but it shows only 1 so unsure on that.