New PC spec check? Bring GPU and PSU from old machine?

[SparkyTheT]

Hi Forum,

I have a 6 year old desktop, which has served me really well but the processor is beginning to feel long in the tooth (e.g. won't run Windows 11, should I need to eventually do so). I use it for gaming, video and music creation, and general work jobs. I use a 4k 60Hz monitor (and don't feel the need yet to upgrade to a higher frame rate).

The original spec is at the end of this post, but I have upgraded the GPU to a Gainward GeForce RTX 3070 Phoenix 8GB (overkill perhaps, but I wanted to get something that would last...) and upgraded the power supply to a 750W Corsair Semi-Modular 80 PLUS Gold (also overkill?). I am aware that the processor is likely my biggest performance bottleneck (though please advise me otherwise if you disagree).

I've drafted a PC Specialist new build, but left only an integrated graphics card (since I'm assuming I'll transfer my 3070 over) and currently it has a 450W PSU listed (but I intend to transfer my 750W PSU over). Will anyone offer me advice on how this spec looks to them? And any things to watch out for in transferring older components across?

Specific other details:

• no-nonsense case (don't need RGB or anything like that) - happy to hear recommendations. Can I/should I reuse my old one?
• I want to somewhat futureproof by upgrading memory and motherboard
• should I transfer my old hard drives across or is it time to just get new stuff?
• Should I try to re-use anything else in the old case?
• budget - since I already have a decent graphics card and PSU already I'd like to aim under £1000 (but have some flex if needed)
• Can I buy a PC build from PC Specialist without any PSU or should I get a cheap one included and switch it out (and sell?)

I've not been thinking hard about PC build stuff for 6 years, so please feel free to offer me noob-level advice about the proposed build!


DRAFT PC SPECIALIST NEW BUILD from website:

Case
COOLERMASTER SILENCIO S600 QUIET MID TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 12-Core Processor i7-12700 (2.1GHz) 25MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME H610M-A D4: Micro-ATX, DDR4, USB 3.2, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3300 MB/R, 2900 MB/W)
1st Storage Drive
2TB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 470MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W CV SERIES™ CV-450 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 150 Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language



OLD BUILD (2016 - Chillblast)

Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K Skylake CPU, 4 Cores, 3.5 - 3.9GHz
Case: Chillblast Kube Case - Black/Blue
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Graphics Card (NOW UPGRADED to Gainward GeForce RTX 3070 Phoenix 8GB GPU)
CPU Cooler: Chillblast Centurion Direct Contact CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste: Standard Thermal Paste
Motherboard: Asus Z170M-PLUS Motherboard
Memory: 16GB DDR4 2133MHz Memory (2 x 8GB Sticks)
OS Drive: 128GB Samsung SM951 M.2 PCIe Solid State Drive
Secondary Hard Drive: Seagate 2TB 7200RPM Hard Disk
Power Supply: Aerocool 80 PLUS 600W PSU (NOW UPGRADED to Corsair CP-9020131-UK TXM Series 750 W TX750M ATX/EPS Semi-Modular 80 PLUS Gold)
(I have also added a DVD-RW drive and wifi card, but that's hopefully somewhat irrelevant)

 

[stegor]

As you are running at 4k the GPU will still be the bottleneck for gaming, not the CPU as you stated. Also as you use it for non-gaming as well then an AMD CPU might be a better option.
You've also picked a micro-ATX motherboard which is pointless in a full size case.

 

[SparkyTheT]

As you are running at 4k the GPU will still be the bottleneck for gaming, not the CPU as you stated. Also as you use it for non-gaming as well then an AMD CPU might be a better option.
You've also picked a micro-ATX motherboard which is pointless in a full size case.

Good point about the motherboard, I probably changed the case to a full size without checking the motherboard at the same time. Thank you.
I would appreciate hearing more details about why an AMD CPU is better for non-gaming - I only chose an Intel out of habit.

 

[sck451]

• no-nonsense case (don't need RGB or anything like that) - happy to hear recommendations. Can I/should I reuse my old one?

Theoretically, you could parcel up your old case and send it for PCS to build in. But that sounds an awful hassle to me: personally I'd get something solid like the Corsair 4000D Airflow, though that's currently out of stock.

• I want to somewhat futureproof by upgrading memory and motherboard

You want a better motherboard than you have selected. At a minimum a B660 board; the Z690 boards are stronger, though with the 12700 a strong B660 board is probably enough, but there is complicated compatibility issues with some B660 boards and older/cheaper power supplies.

• should I transfer my old hard drives across or is it time to just get new stuff?

Probably the old drives are fine, unless they have any problems. I'd keep the old ones.

• Should I try to re-use anything else in the old case?

I doubt anything else will be useful to you for this new build.

• Budget - since I already have a decent graphics card and PSU already I'd like to aim under £1000 (but have some flex if needed)

I'll put my suggested build down below, but I think £1000 will be a stretch once you have a decent case and motherboard selected.

• Can I buy a PC build from PC Specialist without any PSU or should I get a cheap one included and switch it out (and sell?)

No, PCS won't build a system with missing pieces, so you'll have to have at least some kind of PSU.

 

[sck451]

Case
FRACTAL MESHIFY 2 COMPACT BLACK GAMING CASE (Window) Slightly deluxe option. Cheaper cases are available, but cooling is very important and this is a really good case...
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 12-Core Processor i7-12700 (2.1GHz) 25MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI D4 (LGA1700, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0) - ARGB Ready Strong motherboard choice
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NONE, I ALREADY HAVE A GRAPHICS CARD
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB INTEL® 670p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3000MB/sR, 1600MB/sW) Boot drive
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3300 MB/R, 2900 MB/W) Game drive
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W CV SERIES™ CV-450 POWER SUPPLY You're going to upgrade this
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 150 Series High Performance CPU Cooler Should be fine for the 12700
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED I'm presuming you can transfer your Windows licence over
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £1,135.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z690-pc/6yX8wX!Rb0/

 

[stegor]

As you are running at 4k the GPU will still be the bottleneck for gaming, not the CPU as you stated. Also as you use it for non-gaming as well then an AMD CPU might be a better option.
You've also picked a micro-ATX motherboard which is pointless in a full size case.

Usually you get a bit more bang for your buck with the equivalent AMD vs Intel, but the build above with the 12700 is fine and will future proof it as you upgrade the graphics card.
I would have added more storage than the build above. If you're storing videos and music then a 6TB HDD is cheap and useful as a 3rd drive to dump static stuff on.

 

[SparkyTheT]

Thank you stegor and sck451 - this is extremely helpful. I'm grateful for your experienced input!