Upgrading my processor

[Smargoos]

Budget (including currency): Around 1000€

Country: Finland

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Mostly CPU heavy games like Factorio, EU4 and some non gaming processing.

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): Current pc bought around 6 years ago. I couldn't find my current CPU cooler, power supply, keyboard or case fans there. PSU is CTG-750C from Chieftec. CPU cooler can be seen in the picture, it is made by thermaltake, couldn't find any model number. Keyboard and case fans seem brandless. 1 fan at the back (can be seen in the picture) and 1 at the front (with space for 2).

 

My main monitor runs at 1920x1080 144hz, which is what I'd like my games to be able to run. I have 2 secondary monitors for video and other secondary activities. I don't really play GPU heavy games, which is why I'm not currently thinking of upgrading it, maybe a few years in the future.

 

I'm thinking of getting a new processor and memory. Based on my understanding this would also mean a new motherboard. I've been looking at 12th gen intel as they seem better in benchmarks compared to amd's 5600X-5950X, the only exception being 5800X3D in some case like this. Though I can't really evaluate their legitimacy. X3D also can't be overclocked as far as I can tell, though what advantage that would give intel I don't know. My current CPU is overclocked so I have some experience.

 

For memory I haven't looked around too much. I currently have 16gb of slow (by modern standards) ddr4. Intel's 12th gen should support ddr5. I'm also wondering between 16 and 32 gb as I like to do a lot of multitasking. Is there a difference between 4x8 or 2x16, with 4x8 I could buy 2x8 first and add if I want 32 later? Should I just look for the highest mhz and lowest cl that fits on the motherboard/CPU or is there something else to keep in mind?

 

Can the CPU cooler be reused on a new motherboard/CPU or do I need to get a new one? Only markings I could see atleast without taking it off is that it is made by thermaltake and fits the current motherboard/CPU. I didn't build my current pc. It was assembled by the place it was bought from. So my knowledge may be lacking.

 

This ties a bit into the CPU as some CPUs are marketed as tray and boxed. I'll ask from the store but what does tray and boxed usually entail? Tray is generally a bit cheaper. I'm mostly worried about thermal paste for the cooler.

Lastly is power supply. With some changes the wattage is 533 which is below 750, I assume that is ok? I don't mind pulling out the optical drive as I never use it.

 

I can buy a lot of things that don't have a price on the website I linked as it is only getting prices from 1 store in Finland that doesn't have every product. Finnish prices are high, but ordering outside EU isn't really an option because of VAT from customs and more complicated returns if I have problems.

 

E: picture here for formatting

[Fasauceome]

14 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

Can the CPU cooler be reused on a new motherboard/CPU or do I need to get a new one? Only markings I could see atleast without taking it off is that it is made by thermaltake and fits the current motherboard/CPU. I didn't build my current pc. It was assembled by the place it was bought from. So my knowledge may be lacking.

You should reach out to thermaltake on their support page to see if they will send you an adapter bracket.

 

Otherwise:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://fi.pcpartpicker.com/list/qDJ4Bj

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  (€329.90 @ Jimm's) 
Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z690-P D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  (€199.90 @ Jimm's) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory  (€76.90 @ Jimm's) 
Total: €606.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-07-15 22:31 EEST+0300

 

Left room for an upgraded CPU cooler, you might need one given the higher thermal demands and your interests in overclocking. You can also opt for an i7 if you choose.

 

14 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

For memory I haven't looked around too much. I currently have 16gb of slow (by modern standards) ddr4. Intel's 12th gen should support ddr5. I'm also wondering between 16 and 32 gb as I like to do a lot of multitasking. Is there a difference between 4x8 or 2x16, with 4x8 I could buy 2x8 first and add if I want 32 later? Should I just look for the highest mhz and lowest cl that fits on the motherboard/CPU or is there something else to keep in mind?

Starting with 2x8 for now is fine, adding more in the future wouldn't be an issue. I went with DDR4 because as of right now there's not a big performance difference between that and DDR5 (same as when DDR4 was new, DDR3 was still relevant for a while)

 

15 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

This ties a bit into the CPU as some CPUs are marketed as tray and boxed. I'll ask from the store but what does tray and boxed usually entail? Tray is generally a bit cheaper. I'm mostly worried about thermal paste for the cooler.

Tray comes without cooler and may have a different warranty guarantee than box product. I recommend box.

[Ryuikko]

19 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

5800X3D in some case like this. Though I can't really evaluate their legitimacy

Amd 5800x3d is probably the best cpu on the market because of their 3d cache, but it's price to perfromance dosent make the most sense. Youd probably be fine with a 12400f b660

19 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

there a difference between 4x8 or 2x16, with 4x8 I could buy 2x8 first and add if I want 32 later? Should I just look for the highest mhz and lowest cl that fits on the motherboard/CPU or is there something else to keep in mind?

There's a slight difference, running 4x8 will grant you dual rank operation and you'll see maybe a ~200 mhz boost in operation, but it's not recommended since you'll have to replace the whole kit when upgrading.

As for speed, locked alder lake cpus have a hard time reaching 4000 mhz in gear 1  or higher due to their vccsa voltages locked down. I'd get a pair of 2x8 16gb of 3200 cl16 instead.

20 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

Can the CPU cooler be reused on a new motherboard/CPU or do I need to get a new one?

You might be able to contact thermaltake and ask for a lga1700 bracket for their cooler to fit and their most likely honor that request.

23 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

marketed as tray and boxed. I'll ask from the store but what does tray and boxed usually entail? Tray is generally a bit cheaper. I'm mostly worried about thermal paste for the cooler.

Lastly is power supply. With some changes the wattage is 533 which is below 750

It's pretty much as described. If it's a tray cpu, the retailer has them in large trays without the cpu cooler or anything, boxed means it's in the box and comes with cpu cooler and ect.

Most thermal pastes are fine and you can find tubes for around 7 dollars.

I couldn't find that psu on the psu tierlist so personally I'd switch it out but someone might be able to find it and correct me.

[Smargoos]

7 hours ago, Fasauceome said:

Left room for an upgraded CPU cooler, you might need one given the higher thermal demands and your interests in overclocking.

I'll ask for an adapter from themaltake. Which cooler would be enough if they don't provide one?

 

7 hours ago, Ryuikko said:

I couldn't find that psu on the psu tierlist so personally I'd switch it out but someone might be able to find it and correct me.

Assuming you mean this. It has CTG-C-RGB which looks like an rgb version of CTG-750C and A-80 which is the series my CTG-750C is part of based on my manual in D category. I'm a bit hesitant of getting a new one as I haven't had issues this far but what wattage should the new one be? My new setup should need around 500, so 600-700W?

 

Thanks for the help.

[CoLiN---]

more rgb 10 time faster

[Ryuikko]

59 minutes ago, Smargoos said:

haven't had issues this far but what wattage should the new one be? My new setup should need around 500, so 600-700W?

If you were to change it, you'd probably be fine with a good 650 watt psu assuming you choose to keep your current gpu, if you want upgradibility with your psu or are planning to get a 3000 or 4000 series card, an 850 watt psu might not be a bad idea

[Fasauceome]

8 hours ago, Smargoos said:

I'll ask for an adapter from themaltake. Which cooler would be enough if they don't provide one?

Some options

https://fi.pcpartpicker.com/list/D4F2bK

 

CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler  (€69.90 @ Jimm's) 
CPU Cooler: Scythe Fuma 2 Rev.B 39.44 CFM CPU Cooler  (€69.90 @ Jimm's)