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Question

Gaming pc need a upgrade

by Aug 4, 2018 2:10PM PDT

Hi
So I have been playing on a gaming pc for 3 years now (give or take). Only upgraded once to get a new graphics card. I believe it's time to upgrade and this is the component I am looking to get.
My system
CPU: i5 6400
GPU: Gtx 1050 TI Strix 4gb
RAM: 2x8gb 2133MHz
Motherboard: ASUS B150m-a
Storage: 1tb HDD
Power: 500W power supply
So I really want to upgrade my CPU since I've been getting a lot more into editing and recording. I've been using programs that make life hard for my pc sometimes. So a CPU upgrade was the first thing that came to my mind and after scouting the web a bit, I've found the i7-7700K. A really good and solid CPU it seems (correct me if it's overkill or I am completely wrong, haha)
But that means I have to upgrade my motherboard as well.... right?? That's when I get unsure about what to get and cooling and all that.

If anyone could use some time to find a reasonably priced upgrade for my system I would be very happy. I am not looking to spend a lot of money, most of the money I want to spend is on the CPU itself.
The CPU costs 370$ where I live and don't really want to spend more than 500$
My preferably budget is 450$, but I will do what it takes to get my pc back up and running Happy

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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Answer
That's not a bad i5.
by Forum moderator Aug 4, 2018 2:31PM PDT
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New windows 10
by br3cken Aug 4, 2018 2:53PM PDT

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't that mean I will have to buy a new Windows 10 key?

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Only if you change the motherboard.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 4, 2018 3:22PM PDT

The key today seems to be tied to the motherboard.

Now if you do I will share the ONLY way I've seen folk wrangle a new license key from Microsoft. Tell them the old board died and ask for a new key. People seem to think Microsoft is not willing to put "your motherboard died so you have to buy another license" to a court test.

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Windows on SSD
by br3cken Aug 5, 2018 12:09AM PDT

I feel like, if I buy an SSD I want both the games I play the most, but Windows on it as well. Are you saying that I can migrate the Windows 10 from my HDD to the SSD? Or did you mean that I don't need to use Windows on the SSD?

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"migrate"?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 5, 2018 8:12AM PDT

When folk upgrade we CLONE their existing system to the SSD. This has some thousand prior discussions so I won't write too much about it.

As to whether you put Windows on the SSD or such, personal choices. For all the PCs so far the SSD is the boot and OS drive. Here I have my OS and apps on the SSD and a bulk drive for some video work.

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Answer
Go cheap
by Aug 5, 2018 1:16AM PDT

i7 7700.

Looks like a straight swap and it comes with a cooler.

Not much muscle loss from a 7700k.

No psu change.
No mobo change.
No ram change.

It would be a good idea to make a complete system backup prior to the swap.

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Overclocking
by br3cken Aug 5, 2018 1:44AM PDT

But if I want to overclock the i7 7700K don’t I need a better cooler? When watching videos about the CPU, people say you should buy a better cooler?? Won’t that be needed or is it a good idea if I want to overclock it?

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Cooler
by Bob__B Aug 5, 2018 2:49AM PDT

The 7700k does not come with a cooler so you will have to buy something.

Add that on to the cost.

The 7700 does come with a cooler and it's a big jump from what you have now.

Ocing.....I don't do that..... too much of a headache.

How did you determine you needed a better cpu?

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Benchmark
by br3cken Aug 5, 2018 3:21AM PDT

Made a benchmark test and saw that my system was running good, but not as good as I want it to. So I tried switching out different parts and I can easily see my CPU is the part that is lagging a bit behind, well that and my harddrive because it’s a HDD and not SSD

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Wants
by Bob__B Aug 5, 2018 9:06AM PDT

Your wants depending on how high they are could end up costing you a K-buck.

I'd just put the 7700 in and accept the nice bump.

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