Upgrading my PC

Just let us know, LJ. We can help with whatever you want. Good luck on your trip.

essenbe said:

Here you go LJ. Start here and upgrade or downgrade, whatever you want. About $760.

G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 16GB X399 Desktop Memory Model F4-3200C14D-16GTZRX - Newegg.com
https://smile.amazon.com/Maximus-Her...ords=asus+z370
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb...2Ck%3Ai5-8600k

Thanks a lot essenbe! This look like an excellent starting point. My current CPU is a i5 2500K and I have been happy with it. Do you think my current CM Hyper 212 EVO would still be sufficient for cooling the newer i5? It has always done a very good job on my 2500K. I have a CM Haf X full tower with 5 cooling fans running, so I'm sure that helps to keep temps down as well. Also, would there be a big advantage in running 16 GB's of RAM over 8? I'm not as familiar with the newer systems like I was when I built my current PC.

These are the upgrades I'm thinking about purchasing. They aren't all top off the line, but hopefully will be all I need. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

LJ, your upgrades look good to me. I don't see any issues with them at all. I would think the questions you asked would depend on your use of your computer. It should also be noted that the 8600K CPU has 6 cores where your current CPU has 4. That makes for a stronger CPU but can also mean more heat too. If you do little CPU intensive tasks, the Hyper 212 will be fine with that CPU. I would think the amount of ram would be the same. 8 GB is the least amount of ram I would recommend. Many programs today use more ram than they used to it seems like. If you are having no ram usage problems now with 8 GB, you may do fine with 8. I always like to use 16 GB though. If you do production stuff such as video encoding, graphics work and such, 16 GB is well worth it. It would also make sure that in the future, you would have no issues. That would be the same for the CPU cooler. What you have will do a good job for normal, routine use.

Like most other things, it depends on your computer usage. What you have selected would do a very good job for normal usage. High demand work may require more. You can always upgrade the CPU cooler later if it is needed. The 212 is probably the best cooler you can get for the money. Let us know if you have any more questions or need any other help. I would strongly suggest you purchase components that have an excellent return policy. New defective computer parts are not that uncommon these days.

Just a note. The 2500K you have now has 4 cores. The i3 1155 chips have 2 cores. With the new chipsets, the 13 is now the new i5 (my interpretation) The new Coffee Lake CPUs have more cores than previous generations, meaning the i3 is now a 4 core CPU instead of a 2 core. Just a consideration. Even so, I think I would still opt for the i5. I just wanted to put that out for you to consider.

essenbe said:

LJ, your upgrades look good to me. I don't see any issues with them at all. I would think the questions you asked would depend on your use of your computer. It should also be noted that the 8600K CPU has 6 cores where your current CPU has 4. That makes for a stronger CPU but can also mean more heat too. If you do little CPU intensive tasks, the Hyper 212 will be fine with that CPU. I would think the amount of ram would be the same. 8 GB is the least amount of ram I would recommend. Many programs today use more ram than they used to it seems like. If you are having no ram usage problems now with 8 GB, you may do fine with 8. I always like to use 16 GB though. If you do production stuff such as video encoding, graphics work and such, 16 GB is well worth it. It would also make sure that in the future, you would have no issues. That would be the same for the CPU cooler. What you have will do a good job for normal, routine use.

Like most other things, it depends on your computer usage. What you have selected would do a very good job for normal usage. High demand work may require more. You can always upgrade the CPU cooler later if it is needed. The 212 is probably the best cooler you can get for the money. Let us know if you have any more questions or need any other help. I would strongly suggest you purchase components that have an excellent return policy. New defective computer parts are not that uncommon these days.

Thanks for your input essenbe!! Much appreciated. I don't do any high demand work, but would keep an eye on CPU temps to see how well the Hyper 212 EVO is working. I am trying to use as many of my current components as possible to keep upgrade costs down. If I have to upgrade some more I can do that later. I decided to go with the full 16 GBs of RAM. My current 8 GBs has worked well on this system, but I think with the newer components 16 would be better. I chose the Asus Prime MB simply because it has a DVI port and that's the only connection my current LCD has.

Sounds good, LJ. Keep us posted and if we can help any more, just let us know. Most of us love this stuff. Don't be a stranger, my friend. We have missed you..... a lot! I'll help any way I can.

essenbe said:

Sounds good, LJ. Keep us posted and if we can help any more, just let us know. Most of us love this stuff. Don't be a stranger, my friend. We have missed you..... a lot! I'll help any way I can.

Thanks! I'm sure I will have some more questions when I actually start the rebuild. Hopefully things will go seamlessly, but usually I'm not that lucky!!