Replacing MSI GT72

[RandyB]

I am replacing my MSI GT72 6QD as it has developed a common and as-yet-unresolved random shut down problem. If I could figure out what the problem is, I wouldn’t be upgrading as it still meets my general needs. However, hours of searching have uncovered no sure-fire solution(s). I have taken all the software steps, but this appears to be a hardware problem and MSI does not have a solution other than to randomly replace the motherboard and/or GPU and hope for the best. I’ve considered doing that but decided to go with a desktop solution instead.

MSI GT72 6QD Specs: i7 6820HK @ 2.7ghz, GTX970M 3G VRAM, 16G RAM

 

Budget: $1300 - $1500 USD. Closer to $1300 is better unless $1500 will gain enough performance/futureproofing to justify the extra expense.

Purchase window: I plan on having everything purchased by the end of March.

Location: East Coast USA

Aim: My goal is to build a desktop that I can upgrade over time as needed to keep up with current and future gaming. Primary use will be for gaming and web browsing. The build I’ve selected might be slight overkill for my current use, but I would rather go overboard now and not have to upgrade for 4-5 years.

My Steam library contains CoD 2 and 3, Elder Scrolls, Fallout 3, New Vegas and Fallout 4, Just Cause 3 & 4, The Witcher 3, Dreadnought and several X3 titles. I am interested in VR gaming in the future, I just have to find one that suits me. When/if a Fallout 5 comes out, I’ll most likely purchase it. Same for Witcher. I prefer open-world, single-player or multi-co-op. If Command and Conquer released a new title, I’d probably purchase that as well. (I’m also open to game suggestions!)

Monitors: I have an older ACER monitor with no intent to upgrade at this time. However, recommendations of specs/type of monitor would be welcome.

Peripherals: I have no intent to change any of my peripherals.

Why I am upgrading: Random shut-downs from laptop, future upgrade-ability.

The case will be out of sight, so RGB doesn’t interest me much. I’d rather have money spent on better function, than pretty colors.

I do not need wireless support as this will be wired.

I plan on moving my 1TB HDD from my GT72 to the new desktop.

Parts Picker List:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XXJG27

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($369.99 @ Best Buy) (I am willing to go i9-9700K if the performance gain/futureproofing for the extra $140 is worth it.)

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.95 @ Amazon) (I am open to water cooling if it is necessary, but have no experience with water cooling.)

Thermal Compound: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 1g 1 g Thermal Paste  ($7.97 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($179.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($139.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($87.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB DUAL EVO OC Video Card  ($239.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Fractal Design Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case  ($62.87 @ Newegg) (I have no particular attachment to this case. It looked good for my use and had decent reviews.)

Power Supply: Asus ROG Strix 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($134.99 @ Amazon)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit  ($139.99 @ Other World Computing) (I have Windows 10 Home on my GT72, can I use this same copy on the new PC? I plan on moving the HDD from the laptop to the new PC)

Total: $1453.72

 

Thank you all in advance for any help or suggestions you might have.

[Meganter]

28 minutes ago, RandyB said:

 

Hello,

 

Something better for the same price :

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor	$299.63 @ Walmart
Motherboard	MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard	$114.89 @ B&H
Memory	Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$135.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Western Digital Blue 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$109.99 @ B&H
Video Card	EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card	$670.00 @ Amazon
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case	$49.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply	Corsair RMx (2018) 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$95.98 @ Newegg
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$1486.47
	Mail-in rebates	-$10.00
	Total	$1476.47
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-03-03 09:59 EST-0500

 

And get W10 from eBay etc for 10-15$

[RandyB]

34 minutes ago, Plouffe said:

Hello,

 

Something better for the same price :

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor	$299.63 @ Walmart
Motherboard	MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard	$114.89 @ B&H
Memory	Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$135.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Western Digital Blue 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$109.99 @ B&H
Video Card	EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card	$670.00 @ Amazon
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case	$49.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply	Corsair RMx (2018) 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$95.98 @ Newegg
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$1486.47
	Mail-in rebates	-$10.00
	Total	$1476.47
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-03-03 09:59 EST-0500

 

And get W10 from eBay etc for 10-15$

Plouffe,

 

Thank you for the suggestion. I have never used an AMD CPU, so went with the i7 that I was familiar with. I have two questions though.

 

1. Does the motherboard support the next gen of AMD processors? Would I be better off with a motherboard that has the X570, for example Asus Prime X570-P, $144 @ Amazon. Would spending $30 now serve me better in the future when it is time to upgrade?

2. I'm going from a GTX970M. Would I be able to see any significant performance difference between the 1660 Super and 2080 Super? I am able to currently run all my games at highest resolution on the 970M.

I know the 2080 is better, but if I can get better than 970M with the 1660, and bring the overall price down to ~$1000, my wallet, and my wife will appreciate it.  

[Meganter]

28 minutes ago, RandyB said:

1. Does the motherboard support the next gen of AMD processors? Would I be better off with a motherboard that has the X570, for example Asus Prime X570-P, $144 @ Amazon. Would spending $30 now serve me better in the future when it is time to upgrade?

2. I'm going from a GTX970M. Would I be able to see any significant performance difference between the 1660 Super and 2080 Super? I am able to currently run all my games at highest resolution on the 970M.

1. It should but there is nothing sure until next gen is released but the Asus Prime P is a really solid choice.

 

2. It's really better but the 1660S is a solid choice too, I added the 2080S because it was within budget too, the 1660S is more average while the 2080S is high end gaming imo. It's one of the best card for 1080p 144Hz or the 5600XT since they are supposed to have fixed the black screen issues.