- Joined
- Apr 5, 2007
- Messages
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My son wants to upgrade his but from my experience years ago this is not possible. Has anything changed?
System Name | Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz |
Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0 |
Cooling | Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF |
Memory | 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance |
Video Card(s) | EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5 |
Storage | Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD |
Display(s) | Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2 |
Case | Fractal Design Define R4 |
Power Supply | EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold |
Mouse | Logitech M190 |
Keyboard | Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050 |
Software | W10 Pro 64-bit |
Processor | Intel i9 9900K @5GHz w/ Corsair H150i Pro CPU AiO w/Corsair HD120 RBG fan |
---|---|
Motherboard | Asus Z390 Maximus XI Code |
Cooling | 6x120mm Corsair HD120 RBG fans |
Memory | Corsair Vengeance RBG 2x8GB 3600MHz |
Video Card(s) | Asus RTX 3080Ti STRIX OC |
Storage | Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB , 970 EVO 1TB, Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSD, 10TB Synology DS1621+ RAID5 |
Display(s) | Corsair Xeneon 32" 32UHD144 4K |
Case | Corsair 570x RBG Tempered Glass |
Audio Device(s) | Onboard / Corsair Virtuoso XT Wireless RGB |
Power Supply | Corsair HX850w Platinum Series |
Mouse | Logitech G604s |
Keyboard | Corsair K70 Rapidfire |
Software | Windows 11 x64 Professional |
Benchmark Scores | Firestrike - 23520 Heaven - 3670 |
System Name | BoX-Server | 775PC |
---|---|
Processor | I3 3.5GHZ (3150) | Modded Xeon E5450 (OC @3.60) |
Motherboard | ASRock B85M-ITX | ASUS P5Q-EM |
Cooling | OEZM HSK | 120MM Heatsink (2-FANs) |
Memory | 8GB DDR3 (2x4GB) | 8GB DDR2 (4x2GB) |
Video Card(s) | Onboard | NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB |
Storage | 120GB SSD 1TB WD | 120GB SSD 1TB Seagate 500GB HDD << |
Display(s) | DELL 17" LCD 1280x1024 | ASUS 24" LCD IPS |
Case | CoolerMaster 110 | DIYPC N1e-SPORT |
Audio Device(s) | Onboard |
Power Supply | EVGA 550WATT | Rosewill 530WATT |
Mouse | Input-Director| RoseWill FUSION C40 |
Keyboard | Input-Director | RoseWill FUSION |
Software | WiN10ET/WiN11ET |
System Name | Personal / HTPC |
---|---|
Processor | Ryzen 5900x / Ryzen 5600X3D |
Motherboard | Asrock x570 Phantom Gaming 4 /ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming |
Cooling | Corsair H100i / bequiet! Pure Rock Slim 2 |
Memory | 32GB DDR4 3200 / 16GB DDR4 3200 |
Video Card(s) | EVGA XC3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti / EVGA RTX 3060 XC |
Storage | 500GB Pro 970, 250 GB SSD, 1TB & 500GB Western Digital / lots |
Display(s) | Dell - S3220DGF & S3222DGM 32" |
Case | CoolerMaster HAF XB Evo / CM HAF XB Evo |
Audio Device(s) | Logitech G35 headset |
Power Supply | 850W SeaSonic X Series / 750W SeaSonic X Series |
Mouse | Logitech G502 |
Keyboard | Black Microsoft Natural Elite Keyboard |
Software | Windows 10 Pro 64 / Windows 10 Pro 64 |
System Name | Juliette // HTPC |
---|---|
Processor | Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G |
Motherboard | ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC |
Cooling | Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock |
Memory | Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600 |
Video Card(s) | ASUS RTX4070 OC// GTX 1650 |
Storage | Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD |
Display(s) | ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series |
Case | Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05 |
Audio Device(s) | Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar |
Power Supply | Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M |
Mouse | Cooler Master MM710 53G |
Keyboard | Logitech 920-009300 G512 SE |
Software | Windows 10 Pro // Windows 10 Pro |
System Name | Barb's Domain |
---|---|
Processor | i9 10850k 5.1GHz all cores |
Motherboard | MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI |
Cooling | Deep Cool Assassin III |
Memory | 2*16gig Corsair LPX DDR4 3200 |
Video Card(s) | RTX 4080 FE |
Storage | 500gb Samsung 980 Pro M2 SSD, 500GB WD Blue SATA SSD, 2TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD |
Display(s) | Dell - S3222DGM 32" 2k Curved/ASUS VP28UQG 28" 4K (ran at 2k), Sanyo 75" 4k TV |
Case | SilverStone Fortress FT04 |
Audio Device(s) | Bose Companion II speakers, Corsair - HS70 PRO headphones |
Power Supply | Corsair RM850x (2021) |
Mouse | Logitech G502 |
Keyboard | Logitech Orion Spectrum G910 |
VR HMD | Oculus Quest 2 |
Software | Windows 10 Pro 64 bit |
Benchmark Scores | https://www.3dmark.com/spy/34962882 |
System Name | Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz |
Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0 |
Cooling | Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF |
Memory | 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance |
Video Card(s) | EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5 |
Storage | Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD |
Display(s) | Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2 |
Case | Fractal Design Define R4 |
Power Supply | EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold |
Mouse | Logitech M190 |
Keyboard | Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050 |
Software | W10 Pro 64-bit |
But even that can greatly limit upgrade options - depending on the case. I note some old Dell systems didn't use standoffs or motherboard mounting screws. Instead, there were metal "tines" or "prongs" that were punched out of the sheet metal where the motherboard mounting holes were. These prongs were then bent over to hold the motherboard in place. That worked until you wanted to remove the board. Then bending the prongs back straight again often resulted in them breaking off either then, or when bending back to secure the new board. Very frustrating.iBuyPower uses off the shelf parts except for the case.
System Name | Americas cure is the death of Social Justice & Political Correctness |
---|---|
Processor | i7-11700K |
Motherboard | Asrock Z590 Extreme wifi 6E |
Cooling | Noctua NH-U12A |
Memory | 32GB Corsair RGB fancy boi 5000 |
Video Card(s) | RTX 3090 Reference |
Storage | Samsung 970 Evo 1Tb + Samsung 970 Evo 500Gb |
Display(s) | Dell - 27" LED QHD G-SYNC x2 |
Case | Fractal Design Meshify-C |
Audio Device(s) | on board |
Power Supply | Seasonic Focus+ Gold 1000 Watt |
Mouse | Logitech G502 spectrum |
Keyboard | AZIO MGK-1 RGB (Kaith Blue) |
Software | Win 10 Professional 64 bit |
Benchmark Scores | the MLGeesiest |
But even that can greatly limit upgrade options - depending on the case. I note some old Dell systems didn't use standoffs or motherboard mounting screws. Instead, there were metal "tines" or "prongs" that were punched out of the sheet metal where the motherboard mounting holes were. These prongs were then bent over to hold the motherboard in place. That worked until you wanted to remove the board. Then bending the prongs back straight again often resulted in them breaking off either then, or when bending back to secure the new board. Very frustrating.
Note the ATX Form Factor standard was created specifically by a consortium of hardware makers who all agreed on various industry standards to include size, shape, connections, voltages, even mounting hole locations and screw types for the very purpose of allowing products from any manufacturer to be compatible (electronically and mechanically) with products from any other manufacturer. It ensured a Gigabyte motherboard, would support a MSI graphics card, Micron RAM, Western Digital hard drives, Sony DVD drive, and be powered by a Seasonic power supply and all fit inside a Fractal Design case - and run Windows, or Linux and compliant software and displayed on a Samsung monitor.
Out of this ATX Form Factor standard the home built computer industry was born. But sadly, many big makers decided they did not have to comply. They used propriety designs and parts to ensure their customers must buy replacement parts only from them. In some cases, these designed did reduce manufacturing costs but typically it resulted in limitations for the consumer.
If only these manufacturers would come together again and create an ATX Form Factor standard for notebooks. That would be so great for us consumers.
System Name | Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz |
Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0 |
Cooling | Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF |
Memory | 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance |
Video Card(s) | EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5 |
Storage | Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD |
Display(s) | Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2 |
Case | Fractal Design Define R4 |
Power Supply | EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold |
Mouse | Logitech M190 |
Keyboard | Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050 |
Software | W10 Pro 64-bit |
Their use of propriety power supplies that then used a proprietary main power connector on the motherboard was most frustrating for me. Dell has gotten better in recent years, however.I always was bothered how Dell (and im sure others) use proprietary plugs, ports, sizes, motherboards, etc.
System Name | Juliette // HTPC |
---|---|
Processor | Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G |
Motherboard | ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC |
Cooling | Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock |
Memory | Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600 |
Video Card(s) | ASUS RTX4070 OC// GTX 1650 |
Storage | Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD |
Display(s) | ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series |
Case | Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05 |
Audio Device(s) | Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar |
Power Supply | Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M |
Mouse | Cooler Master MM710 53G |
Keyboard | Logitech 920-009300 G512 SE |
Software | Windows 10 Pro // Windows 10 Pro |
System Name | Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz |
Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0 |
Cooling | Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF |
Memory | 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance |
Video Card(s) | EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5 |
Storage | Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD |
Display(s) | Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2 |
Case | Fractal Design Define R4 |
Power Supply | EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold |
Mouse | Logitech M190 |
Keyboard | Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050 |
Software | W10 Pro 64-bit |
Yeah, they were horrible too. And HP buying them did not help.Remember the old Compaq pcs?
System Name | Ryzen Reynolds |
---|---|
Processor | Ryzen 1600 - 4.0Ghz 1.415v - SMT disabled |
Motherboard | mATX Asrock AB350m AM4 |
Cooling | Raijintek Leto Pro |
Memory | Vulcan T-Force 16GB DDR4 3000 16.18.18 @3200Mhz 14.17.17 |
Video Card(s) | Sapphire Nitro+ 4GB RX 580 - 1450/2000 BIOS mod 8-) |
Storage | Seagate B'cuda 1TB/Sandisk 128GB SSD |
Display(s) | Acer ED242QR 75hz Freesync |
Case | Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-01 |
Audio Device(s) | Onboard |
Power Supply | Corsair VS 550w |
Mouse | Zalman ZM-M401R |
Keyboard | Razor Lycosa |
Software | Windows 10 x64 |
Benchmark Scores | https://www.3dmark.com/spy/6220813 |
OT I loved these old "gaming PC cases" back in the early 00's, reminds me a lot of some of the rigs I built in that period, this one is probably a tad newer than some of the ones I'm thinking of. I had a crazy idea a few months ago when I was feeling just as nostalgic and decided I wanted to put some cold cathodes into my case for that "old school" look, needless to say I know why they were replaced with RGB/LED's. They still dont stick to your case sides with the supplied crappy bits of velcro, one didnt work right out of the box and wouldnt light up properly, the 2nd one went the same way after a week or 2, I havent been feeling as nostalgic since
They don't want you to work on it. Remember the old Compaq pcs?
System Name | Space Station |
---|---|
Processor | Intel 13700K |
Motherboard | ASRock Z790 PG Riptide |
Cooling | Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420 |
Memory | Corsair Vengeance 6400 2x16GB @ CL34 |
Video Card(s) | PNY RTX 4080 |
Storage | SSDs - Nextorage 4TB, Samsung EVO 970 500GB, Plextor M5Pro 128GB, HDDs - WD Black 6TB, 2x 1TB |
Display(s) | LG C3 OLED 42" |
Case | Corsair 7000D Airflow |
Audio Device(s) | Yamaha RX-V371 |
Power Supply | SeaSonic Vertex 1200w Gold |
Mouse | Razer Basilisk V3 |
Keyboard | Bloody B840-LK |
Software | Windows 11 Pro 23H2 |
The real UHAVEPOWER is customers having the freedom to circumvent build houses entirely, and just buy the parts and assemble it themselves though, isn't it?Now to open a competing company called UHAVEPOWER and make everything not proprietary so ppl can do their own upgrades without hassle.
System Name | PCGOD |
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Processor | AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz |
Motherboard | Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios |
Cooling | Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED |
Memory | 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V) |
Video Card(s) | AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X |
Storage | Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB |
Display(s) | NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter) |
Case | AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition |
Audio Device(s) | Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR |
Power Supply | Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3) |
Mouse | Roccat Kone XTD |
Keyboard | Roccat Ryos MK Pro |
Software | Windows 7 Pro 64 |
My son wants to upgrade his but from my experience years ago this is not possible. Has anything changed?